Our services
Fogarty Law Firm provides professional legal services in Immigration matters for Canada, including Quebec. Our experienced counsel will help with your procedures, whether you are seeking temporary status, renewals for your permit, or permanent residency. We will represent you when dealing with government agents and offices, and when necessary, appeal and plead your case in court. We can assist you after your arrival in Canada to respect conditions imposed and residency requirements. Finally, once we determine you are qualified to do so, Fogarty Law Firm will help you apply for Canadian Citizenship and see your case through to its conclusion.
Our philosophy
At Fogarty Law Firm, our watchwords are experience, integrity and innovation. We focus on you, our client, by,
- Taking the time necessary to understand your goals, both short-term and long-term, recognizing that your future is very important to you;
- Giving you an honest and realistic appraisal of your situation, especially if there are problems with your case;
- Explaining the legal procedures involved in your file;
- Explaining the legal fees, government application costs, and likely additional expenses;
- Respecting the course of action agreed upon with you unless you instruct otherwise;
- Making every effort to make you feel perfectly at ease in dealing with us, understanding that you have enough stress elsewhere in your life;
- Keeping you informed of developments in your case; and,
- Refusing to deal in or accept false or misleading documents for any Immigration or Citizenship matter, thereby protecting our professional reputation and the credibility of your own case with the authorities.
Our team
Stephen J. Fogarty
Stephen J. Fogarty is recognized as a leading attorney in Canadian Immigration and Citizenship Law. He founded Fogarty Law Firm in Montreal, Quebec, during 2007, after having provided counsel service to other firms for many years. He has been a member of the Quebec Bar since 1986 and of the Law Society of Upper Canada (Ontario) since 1991. He is also a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Quebec Immigration Lawyers’ Association (AQAADI), and of the Quebec Defence Attorneys’ Association (AQAAD).
Steve Fogarty has extensive experience assisting clients with their applications, representing clients to government agencies, negotiating settlements, researching and making detailed legal submissions, and pleading cases in court. He has received numerous requests to provide specialized training for prestigious associations of lawyers and judicial organizations. He also supports public legal education by giving talks to community organizations, writing articles for and granting interviews to the media.
In addition to annual professional training with the Quebec Bar and Law Society of Upper Canada, Mr Fogarty’s education includes a bachelor’s degree with honours in philosophy and political science from McGill University, a master’s in philosophy from the University of Ottawa, a licentiate in philosophy from St Paul University, and degrees in common law and in civil law from the McGill Law School. Prior to starting formal studies in law, Mr Fogarty gained detailed practical knowledge of the Canadian government while working for several years as a research officer for the Library of Parliament.
Stephen Fogarty is a board member of the Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce (Montreal branch), has served on boards of educational and charitable institutions, and as a minor league baseball coach. He is interested in photography, and is studying classical violin, music theory and sight-singing at the Conservatory, Schulich School of Music, McGill University. He lives with his wife and two children in the Montreal area.
John C. M. Donovan
John C. M. Donovan acts as senior special legal counsel to Fogarty Law Firm, assisting us with his insight, experience and advice.
Mr Donovan was admitted to the Quebec Bar in 1977 and heads his own law firm located in Westmount, Quebec. Mr Donovan has served for many years as a part-time Municipal Court Prosecutor, a role he still fulfills, as well as having widespread experience in civil law matters. In recent years he has also focused on legal issues relating to the rights and care of the elderly, a field of increasing relevance due to Canada’s aging population.
Mr Donovan obtained his B.A. from the University of Montreal (Loyola College), his M.A. from the University of Montreal, and is a graduate of McGill University Law School. Married with five children, Mr Donovan is active in his church, charitable causes and in the community. He is a member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Westmount and was also a part-time lecturer in business law at Concordia University.
Jean-François Harvey
Jean-François Harvey is the founding partner of Harvey Law Group. Mr Harvey has been a member of the Quebec Bar since 1992, and during 2002-03 served as National Chair, Immigration Section of the Canadian Bar Association. Mr Harvey’s firm has been operating in Hong Kong and Beijing for many years. In 2008, his firm became one of the first overseas Canadian law firms granted full status by the Law Society of Hong Kong.
Mr Harvey collaborates with Fogarty Law Firm on a regular basis as our special counsel on legal and government matters for Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China. He also serves as our official agent there when necessary.
Pierre Soucie
Pierre Soucie, MD, acts as a special consultant to the Fogarty Law Firm. Dr Soucie has more than 20 years experience as a medical doctor. He is licensed to practice medicine in two Canadian provinces, Quebec and Ontario, is certified by the Canadian College of Family Physicians, and holds a fellowship in Emergency Medicine.
His current practice focuses on primary care for his own patients and through a major hospital under the publicly-funded medical system in Ontario. In the past he also practiced in the field of private-sector medical services through a specialized clinic in Quebec.
Dr Soucie provides expertise in files which involve general issues of medical inadmissibility. In addition, Dr Soucie can assist us when a Canadian visa officer wishes to refuse a permanent residency application because of concerns about “excessive demand” on Canadian health or social services. Drawing on his extensive practical experience, Dr Soucie is especially well-qualified to assess likely health or social services that would be required to properly treat any medical illness or condition. Dr Soucie’s expertise can provide a key advantage to Fogarty Law Firm clients when we request to Canadian officials that an individual with medical concerns be accepted as an immigrant to Canada.
Vijay Dandapani
Vijay Dandapani is a special business advisor to Fogarty Law Firm. He provides advice in key matters such as international marketing, development of innovative legal services, and maintenance of high business standards.
Mr Dandapani is recognized as a leading business executive in New York City, USA. He is President and Chief Operating Officer of Apple Core Hotels, a group of five boutique-style hotels located in Manhattan. He is also a member of the board of directors of prestigious business organizations including: the New York State Hospitality Tourism Association; the quasi-public NYC & Company; and, of the Hotel Association of New York City, for which organization he served as Chair from 2004 to 2006.
Mr Dandapani holds a Master’s degree in hotel administration from Cornell University. He has lectured on hotel management and business development issues on many occasions through organizations such as Arthur Anderson, the University of California at Los Angeles, Columbia University, New York University, and the US National Association of Corporate Real Estate Executives.
Mr Dandapani lives in NYC with his wife, Kamini, a well-known musician, and their two children. His business duties require frequent international travel, notably to his native India, where he continues to have well-established business and professional ties.
Christine M. Clarke
Christine Clarke serves as a special consultant to Fogarty Law Firm. Ms Clarke held the position of Data Services Manager for Canada’s leading supplier of portfolio management services and financial data, where she worked for over 18 years. After taking time off to raise her children, she assisted on a part-time basis for a leading non-governmental organization in the field of pre-hospital emergency health care, and provided services in the educational tourism industry. Ms Clarke is also a three-time award winning newsletter editor.
Ms Clarke uses her research skills to provide key information for us on important issues such as, the provision of health care and social services in Canada, world political, social and medical care developments, and other matters.
In her limited spare time, Christine enjoys taking piano lessons along with her daughter.
Our logo
Our Firm’s logo is based on the traditional family crest of the Fogarty family of Ireland, whose roots may be traced back in historical documents there for many hundreds of years. There were Fogartys who emigrated from Ireland to Canada beginning in the early 19th century. If you are interested in finding out more information about heraldry and the symbols in our logo, fell free to click on Logo details.
Testimonials
In accordance with the rules of the Quebec Bar Association, Fogarty Law Firm is not permitted to publish any testimonials from among our many satisfied clients.