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A progressive Canadian lawyer with international experience currently living in Kenya. Specializing in international human rights, criminal and refugee law. Particular emphasis on litigation and advocacy in behalf of victims of core international crimes. Seeking creative and collaborative solutions to problems. Looking for challenging work with progressive international organization. |
 Contact David Morris
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Area of Expertise: |
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Human Rights, Law, Migration, Conflicts, Justice
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Professional Experience: |
February 1993 – October 2007 and April 2010 - Present - Barrister and Solicitor, Vancouver, Canada - self-employed, practicing immigration and refugee law (see below) – Ottawa, New York, Vancouver and Nairobi.
Currently providing pro bono legal research services to a Canadian NGO advocating in Africa on behalf of child victims of sexual assault.
Founded the law firms Fried & Morris and then Bell, Unger, Morris.
Over sixteen years as legal advocate in the field of refugee and immigration law, representing clients from all over the world, and in particular from men, women and children from conflict and post-conflict countries.
Appeared as counsel on hundreds of occasions before the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Boards, the Federal Court Trial Division and the Federal Court of Appeal. Expert in advocacy and litigation on issues relating to refugees, international law, national and international human rights standards. Application of international human rights, international and criminal law to Canadian legal regime.
Expert in representing immigrant and refugee children – Appointed Designated Representative for unrepresented children by the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board and represented child victims of human trafficking in refugee hearings, immigration detention hearings and applications for publication ban.
In 2005 co-founded Ottawa Immigration (OI), an association of progressive lawyers practicing refugee and immigration law.
Extensive experience with the media and have been interviewed in Canada (CBC TV and radio, the Current, the Globe and Mail, Ottawa Citizen, etc.) on issues relating to immigration and refugee law and civil disobedience.
Worked with my client and RCMP investigators to uncover a bribery ring in the Immigration and Refugee Board that led to conviction of an IRB member for fraud and breach of trust.
Worked with legal assistants in Bulgaria, India and Pakistan and developed a legal consulting firm focused on assisting refugees and immigrants.
Consultant to Canadian NGO on legal position at international and Canadian law of Afghans transferred by Canadian forces to Afghan custody where they were in danger of torture.
Presented paper and briefed Canadian Senate committee on rights of the accused, in particular permanent residents and refugee applicants in relation to Canada’s anti-terrorism laws.
Consultant to Justice for Children and Youth (Canada) on issues relating to child refugees and criminal law.
Responsible for all facets of management of a busy law office/practice including supervision of staff and lawyers, reporting to the Law Society and Legal Aid, ensuring professional and ethical standards are being met, reporting to law society, preparation of budget and paying accounts, overseeing preparation of financial records.
November 2012 – July 2013 – First Responder (volunteer) with the Red Cross of New York
On call disaster responder following Hurri
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Education: |
2002 - Master of Laws from University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
International human rights and immigration and refugee law. Thesis focused on the application of the International Convention on the rights of the Child to Canadian immigration and refugee proceedings (Baker v, Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration)
1992 - Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
1989 - Bachelor of Music (Performance) from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
1982 - Diploma in Music from St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada.
1996 – 2013 – Continuing Legal Education, Attended and led conferences, courses, seminars on international humanitarian law, international criminal law, refugee law, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, rights of the child and juvenile justice
November 2012 –June 2013 American Red Cross of Greater New York advanced training program, Manhattan, New York, NY. Training in disaster assessment and response, emergency communications, shelter operations, CPR/First Aid.
2008 – Certificate, Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law, Salzburg Law School on International Criminal Law, Salzburg, Austria
Intensive course in International Criminal and Human Rights Law and the International Criminal Court
2008 – Joint Appellate Advocacy Training Program, ICTR, ICTY, ICC, ICTR, Arusha, Tanzania - Intensive course in Appellate advocacy.
October 2007 to March 2010 – French, completed Levels 4, 5 and 6 of UN “Cours de Francais”, Arusha, Tanzania
April-May 2006 – Kiswahili, completed UNICTR basic Language course in Kiswahili.
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Affiliations and Achievements: |
Member in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia. Former member in good standing with the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC).
Served on the executive of the LSUC Immigration and Refugee Law Section
Former member of the Canadian Bar Association of Ontario (CBAO).
Member, Immigration Sections of the CBAO and LSUC.
Founding Member and past co-Chair of the Ottawa branch of the Law Union of Ontario - an association of progressive lawyers advocating for legal reform.
Former Executive member of Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights (CLAIHR).
Made representations on behalf of CLAIHR to the Canadian Senate Committee hearings on the enactment of current Canadian Anti-Terrorism legislation.
Have hosted panels and given presentations on immigration and refugee law and International Criminal and Human Rights Law to all of the above organizations.
Have represented many clients in need on a pro bono basis. Worked with Artists' Legal Advice Society (ALAS) providing free legal advice to artists.
Served on executive of Indigenous Black and Miq Maq Program at Dalhousie University and organized benefit concerts for the program.
Volunteered services as legal counsel for protesters during WTO protests in Canada and as independent witness of police conduct during protests.
Mentored young lawyers and law students.
Edited publication on alternative articling positions (articling in public interest sphere) on behalf of Law Union of Ontario.
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Available for: |
- Being headhunted – make me an offer
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Years of Experience:
15-20 years |
Highest Qualification:
Masters |
Languages:
French, French, Swahili |
Nationality:
Canada
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