"If you want to come to Canada — explore every option."
Millions of Americans may now also be considered Canadian under a new law →Lead Counsel — Pepa v. Canada
Supreme Court of Canada, 2025
Mary Lam is one of Canada's most accomplished immigration lawyers, with 33 years of complex litigation experience before appellate courts across Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada. She advocates for clients caught in the machinery of immigration systems that others find too difficult to challenge.
Over three decades, Mary has served clients from every corner of the world. Whatever your background, wherever you are coming from, she has likely navigated a situation like yours before.
Mary argued and won Pepa v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), 2025 SCC 21, before the Supreme Court of Canada. It took over 8 years to get a just result. Significantly, in the post-Vavilov era, the Supreme Court settled the jurisdictional question itself rather than sending it back to the Immigration Appeal Division — opening the door for other levels of court to make such conclusions.
Lead counsel in a landmark Supreme Court of Canada immigration case involving statutory interpretation of appeal rights under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and removal proceedings. The Supreme Court settled the jurisdictional question itself — opening the door for other courts to make such conclusions.
Part of a legal team in the landmark class action against the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration — resulting in a significant settlement.
In effect December 15, 2025. Bill C-3 extends Canadian citizenship by descent — millions of Americans with Canadian ancestry may now be eligible for Canadian citizenship.
In effect March 26, 2026. Bill C-12 impacts past and future asylum claimants, including new rules affecting claims made at the U.S.–Canada border. Mary is actively assisting individuals affected by its retroactive provisions.
Immigration law lecturer — contributing to the next generation of immigration practitioners at one of Canada's top research universities.
Hong Kong Exchange Program, 1992 — research on foreign domestic worker rights under international human rights law, supervised by Prof. Rebecca Cook, O.C.
Publisher and editor of USMCA Watch — analysis of USMCA, North American trade policy, and cross-border immigration developments. Available for speaking engagements and media commentary.
Advising businesses and individuals on the Canadian immigration law aspects of cross-border matters, including work permits, permanent residence pathways, and USMCA professional categories.
Detention reviews, Immigration Appeal Division appeals, Federal Court judicial review and appeals, and Supreme Court advocacy for the most difficult immigration matters, including matters involving potential inadmissibilities.
Advising individuals affected by Bill C-3, which came into effect December 15, 2025. Bill C-3 may allow many Americans with Canadian ancestry to claim Canadian citizenship.
Advising individuals affected by Bill C-12, which came into effect March 26, 2026. Bill C-12 impacts past and future asylum (refugee) claimants, including new rules impacting claims made at the U.S.–Canada border.
Mary advises Chinese-speaking clients directly on Canadian immigration law in English, Cantonese, and Xinhui without interpretation. Xinhui, a dialect of Guangdong Province spoken by the earliest Chinese settlers in North America, allows Mary to serve a community that few practitioners can reach.
Every immigration matter is unique. Mary Lam takes the time to understand your situation fully before advising you on the best path forward. Whether you are navigating a complex immigration matter or a cross-border Canada–U.S. immigration issue, reach out to discuss how she can help.