Stephen W. Green B.A., LL.B., C.S.
Managing Partner
Toronto
150 York Street, 5th Floor Toronto ON M5H 3S5 CA
stepheng@gands.com
(416) 862-7880
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Bio
Stephen Green is one of the two Managing Partners at Green and Spiegel and is Certified as a Specialist in Immigration Law by The Law Society of Ontario. Stephen has been practising immigration law for over 35 years and has extensive experience in all areas of Canadian immigration. Stephen has been identified for many years as a leading practitioner in immigration law. Stephen is considered a subject matter expert in the field, frequently asked to speak as a panelist, moderator and lecturer. Stephen has held the following positions:
- Appointed to the Certified Specialist Board for Citizenship and Immigration Law, The Law Society of Ontario, 2024;
- Invited by the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to attend the January 2017 roundtable and give feedback on the federal government’s new Global Skills Strategy. The roundtable was attended by important stakeholders such as the Toronto Financial Services Alliance, key government officials and subject matter experts in the field. The government’s new Global Skills Strategy was launched in June 2017;
- Director, Canada Employment Relocation Council 2015 – 2020;
- Co-Chair of The Law Society of Upper Canada’s Annual Immigration Law Summit for 5 years;
- Past Chair of the Citizenship and Immigration Section of the Canadian Bar Association;
- Past Chair, Citizenship and Immigration Section, Canadian Bar Association; Secretary (2006) and Treasurer (2007), Citizenship and Immigration Section, Canadian Bar Association of Ontario;
- Past Chair, Citizenship & Immigration Section, Canadian Bar Association of Ontario;
- Executive Committee of the Canadian Bar Association, Citizenship & Immigration Section, 1991 to 2011;
- Head Lecturer, Immigration Practices and Procedures Course, Seneca College, 1997 to 2010.
Stephen’s expertise includes all areas of Canadian immigration law, specializing in corporate employee transfers, express entry applications, family class applications, provincial nominee applications, business applications, work permits, Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) and employer compliance. Stephen also leads the Investment and Entrepreneur Department at the firm, which assists experienced business people and high net worth individuals to invest in Canada to obtain Permanent Residence. Stephen also has particular expertise in CUSMA confirmation exemptions, work permit approvals for strategic, expert and key professional employees and high level executives.
Stephen’s clients range from the largest multinational corporations in the world to many start-up and entrepreneurial clients crossing all industries: IT, telecommunications, hospitality, transportation and consulting to name just a few. Stephen travels around the globe to speak to various business organizations and clients regarding Canadian immigration.
Education
- Called to the Ontario Bar, 1988
- University of Windsor, LLB, 1986
- York University, Toronto, 1983
Affiliations
- Certified Specialist Board, Citizenship and Immigration Law, The Law Society of Ontario
- Certified Specialist in Immigration Law, The Law Society of Ontario
- Past Chair, Citizenship and Immigration Section, Canadian Bar Association
- Secretary (2006) and Treasurer (2007), Citizenship and Immigration Section, Canadian Bar Association of Ontario
- Past Chair, Citizenship & Immigration Section, Canadian Bar Association of Ontario
- Executive Committee of the Canadian Bar Association, Citizenship & Immigration Section, 1991 to 2011
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Windsor, January 2014 to 2016
- Head Lecturer, Immigration Practices and Procedures Course, Seneca College, 1997 to 2010
- Adjunct Professor, Immigration and Refugee Law, Faculty of Law, University of Western Ontario for the academic year 1998/1999
- Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC), 1997 to 2000
- Director, Harmony Movement, (1998-2002)
- Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario
- Director, Canada Employment Relocation Council 2015 – 2020
- Director, SickKids Hospital Foundation
- International Referral Global Member
Involvement
- Past Chair, Toronto Board of Trade, Mentoring Taskforce
- Founder and Chairman, The SickKids Connection, Hospital for SickKids Foundation
- Director, HealthyKids International (2008 to 2010)
- Director, Hospital for Sick Children Foundation, Sept. 2002 to 2011
- Executive Committee, David Foster Foundation Gala, 2013
- Gala Co-Chair, David Foster Foundation, 2015
- Director, Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation 1995-2002
- Board Member, Telus Community Board
Awards
- Rank by Best Lawyers Canada for Immigration Law, 2006 – 2025
- Ranked in the Chambers and Partners Canada and Global Guides, 2019 – 2025
- Ranked as Chambers and Partners Band 1 Lawyer in the field of Immigration Law, 2022 – 2025.
- Recognized in the Legal 500: Business Immigration Hall of Fame, 2023, 2024
- Toronto’s Top Lawyers, 2024
- France Canada Chamber of Commerce – Community Engagement Award 2024
- Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2023
- Listed in the 2022 Canada Legal 500 guide as the Leading Canadian Immigration Lawyer
- Listed in the 2022 Canadian Lexpert ® Directory
“His level of sophistication in handling immigration matters is commendable, demonstrating a deep understanding of complex legal issues and providing strategic guidance.” – Chambers Canada 2025 Guide
Blog Posts
- Hospitality Industry and Canadian Immigration
- What to Expect in 2024: Trends and Priorities for Canadian Immigration
- MANAGING PARTNER STEPHEN GREEN SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF A FEDERAL INVESTOR PROGRAM
- TEMPORARY ENTRY INTO THE CANADIAN LABOUR MARKET – IMMIGRATION LAW SERIES – NEW BOOK RELEASED
- IN RESPONSE TO THE GLOBAL COVID-19 OUTBREAK
Media and Presentations
- Interview in the Financial Post, ‘They wanted me to be desperate’: Foreign workers battle fake jobs, exploitation in hunt for citizenship
- Radio interview with CityNews, Now You Know with Rob Snow
- Interview in The Globe and Mail, Fines mounting for violations in Canada’s temporary foreign worker programs
- Interview in The Globe and Mail, Immigration rule changes needed to stop jobs-for-sale scam, experts say
- Interview in Toronto Star, Canada is curbing immigration — but this lawyer says newcomers still drive our economy
- Co-author of Temporary Entry Into The Canadian Labour Market
Temporary Entry into the Canadian Labour Market, provides a well-rounded explanation of the avenues and implications of a foreign national’s temporary entry into the Canadian labour market. Readers will gain a cohesive understanding of work permit categories and requirements, from applications for work authorization to employer compliance and inspections. Practical and key considerations are addressed, answering fundamental questions such as whether someone needs a work permit, how they get it, and what the employer and recipient’s responsibilities are.