Rowan Fisher 

Managing Lawyer – Immigration Division

…Rowan is the Managing Lawyer of our Immigration Division at Osuji & Smith. She has a BA in Psychology (Honours) with a focus in forensics, and an LLB with a concentration in energy development law, both from the University of Calgary, Canada.  Her law studies included coursework in international trade law at the University of Hong Kong. She obtained her articles and admission to the Alberta bar in 2007.

 

She has a Post Graduate Certificate in Human Rights Law from University College London and Queen Mary’s University through the University of London International Programmes.  Rowan also holds a Canadian Immigration Practitioners’ Certificate.

 

Rowan’s professional experience includes practicing energy law at Thackray Burgess in Alberta, Canada and at Hunton & Williams in London, England.  While in London, Rowan was also seconded to the Crown Estate to assist with the research of Crown property rights. In addition, she spent seven years working in Saudi Arabia, developing training programs for the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency and teaching at both Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahaman and Prince Mohammad bin Fahd universities.

 

Rowan is the Co – Chair of the Canadian Bar Association Executive Committee of the Alberta Immigration South Section. She is also the Director of Programming for the Calgary Justice Film Festival. She enjoys teaching at Queen’s University for the Law Department’s Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law. As a member of the Advisory Council on Alberta Ukraine Relations, she advises the provincial government on related immigration issues. She volunteers and participates in prop bono clinics with the Calgary Women’s Immigrant Association, the Centre for Newcomers, The Women’s’ Centre of Calgary, the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, Calgary Legal Guidance, and Pro Bono Law Alberta. She participates in many other initiatives including the creation of training programs for teams in resettlement organizations, a wide variety of industries, and umbrella organizations.

 

In her volunteer efforts, as in her career, Rowan has enjoyed the opportunity to work with people from varied circumstances and from all over the world. She has seen the difficulties faced by immigrants, guest workers, families left behind, and refugees fleeing war and crisis. In 2017, an extended stay volunteering in an Afghan refugee camp in Greece completely changed the track of Rowan’s professional life.  She decided to return home and focus her legal career on helping people to navigate the complex Canadian immigration system.

 

Rowan came to Canada as a child and her family had to challenge a removal order to be able to stay. As her client, you can feel confident that your situation is being handled with an absolute sense of duty. Rowan is a strong advocate of Canada’s commitment to human rights and has an in-depth understanding of governmental processes. This, combined with her honest, compassionate, and reliable support for every client, brings effective leadership to Osuji & Smith.

 

EDUCATION

• October 2020 Immigration Practitioner Certificate, Bow Valley College, Calgary
• December 2020 Post Graduate Certificate, International Human Rights Law, University of London, UK
• May 2006 LLB, University of Calgary
• May 2002 BA (Honours), Psychology, University of Calgary

 

LANGUAGES

• English and French

 

CURRENT ROLES

• Managing Lawyer, Osuji & Smith Lawyers (Immigration Division)
• Chair of the Canadian Bar Association Alberta South Immigration Section
• Adjunct Professor for the Faculty of Law at Queen’s University in the Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law Program
• Director of Programming at the Calgary Justice Film Festival

 

HONOURS AND AWARDS

• 2024 – Awarded the Immigrant Champions of Canada, Inclusion Champions Award
• 2023 – Awarded the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Sure Call Community Champion Award
• 2023 – Finalist in the Alberta Women in Law Leadership Awards
• 2022 – Finalist in the Calgary Chamber of Commerce small business Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion award
• 2022 – Nomination by the Dean of Bow Valley College for the Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics
• 2017 – Honoured for outstanding contribution to the English Preparatory Program, Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd University, Saudi Arabia
• 2016 – Honoured for the contribution of valuable service to Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd University, Saudi Arabia

2012 – Honoured for outstanding contribution and the training and support of women at The Institute of Banking from the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency

2011 – Honoured for outstanding hard work and effort by the Department of English of the Preparatory Program, Princess Noura Bint Abdul Rahman University, Saudi Arabia

2004 – Faculty of Law, University of Calgary, Grant McKibben Award in recognition of academic standing and extra-curricular activities

2002 – Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calgary, Dean’s List in recognition of outstanding scholastic achievement

2001 – Honoured for outstanding service and dedication to the residents at the Calgary Young Offenders Centre

 

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

Calgary Justice Film Festival (July 2023 to present)
Current Role: Director of Programming

• Reconstructing the programming goals of the festival
• Coordinating the Selection and Activation Committees
• Reporting to the Board on new programming developments
• Recruiting new Committee members

 

Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Immigration South Section (July 2019 to present)
Current Role: Chair (past Vice Chair and Member at Large)

• Coordinating the Executive team
• Developing monthly professional development session planning for our members
• Hosting government and industry guests at panel and other information sessions
• Presenting immigration updates and information to the members
• Planning in person and online social and networking events
• Communications with the Government of Alberta and others re immigration in the province

 

Access to Justice Facilitator and Immigration Law Presenter (January 2020 to present)

• Providing monthly free immigration information sessions for the Women’s Center of Calgary
• Coordination and presentation of online immigration information for the Centre for Newcomers to attendees across Canada
• Member of the West Zone Advisory Committee for the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society advising on program development and access to immigration legal services in community
• Presentation development and provision to the Ukrainian, Afghan and other communities throughout Canada through the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association
• Providing immigration information to teams at the Government of Yukon Justice Victims Services Unit.
• Training teams at Regional Connections Immigrant Services, Manitoba
• Working with the City of Airdrie and the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce to provide workshops to newcomer stakeholder groups on community engagement and policy development
• Advising the Calgary Chamber of Commerce regarding immigration policy documents provided to the Government of Alberta
• Providing immigration information sheets to industry, resettlement agencies, and civic entities on a wide variety of immigration program.
• Assisting the Premier’s Taskforce on Ukrainian Refugees to gather members of the legal and resettlement community for round table talks, the outcomes supporting reports to the Premier of Alberta

 

Pro Bono Legal Services (July 2023 to present)
Yukon Immigration Advisory Clinic – Pilot Project

Project Lead

• Communicated with newcomers, government, NGOs, and community leaders to conduct needs analyses
• Created and launched the hybrid accessible clinic in Whitehorse
• Coordinating the lawyers providing pro bono services
• Supervising the clinic activities
• Developing funding avenues and crafting grant applications to move from pilot to sustainable provision of free immigration legal services across the territory.

 

January 2019 – to present

Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association Immigration Clinic

• Reviewing client immigration and refugee documentation for submission
• Working with clients to create legal options and steps going forward
• Advising regarding legal strategy for court or tribunal processes
• Assisting with a wide variety of matters from many different countries

 

January 2019 to August 2023

Calgary Legal Guidance Pro Bono Telephone Clinic

Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association, Immigration and Refugee Legal Clinic,

• Working with clients to create legal options and steps going forward
• Advising regarding legal strategy for court or tribunal processes
• Assisting with a wide variety of matters from many different countries

 

Skills Counsellor and Administrative Assistant (July – August 2016)

The Boat Refugee Foundation (Stichting Bootvluchteling)

Malakasa Refugee Camp, Malakasa, Greece

• Teaching Afghan adults and children English classes
• Assisting adult residents with employment skills and opportunities
• Assisting camp administration with tent counts, document sourcing and verification, and communication with governmental and non-governmental organisations involved in the running of the camp

 

English Teacher (August 2009 – November 2010)

Jagonari Women’s Educational Resource Centre, London, United Kingdom

• Teaching elementary and pre-intermediate level English classes for Bangladeshi Muslim women

 

Carer and Development Coordinator (May 2006 – June 2006)

Carla Student Home, Mysore, India
Caring for orphans

• Developing educational programming and activities
• Assisting with a variety of administrative tasks including fundraising, letter writing, and communicating with local authorities to source identification and other documentation

 

University of Calgary, Department of Law (September 2004 – June 2005)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Legal Assistance Counsellor

• Supporting women going to court to face their abusers
• Assisting youth with court appearances
• Providing negotiation and mediation options to clients

 

Promotions Coordinator, Legal Assistance Executive Council

• Organizing fundraising campaigns
• Coordinating fundraising and networking events
• Training volunteers

 

Conference Planner

Reconciliation, Is It Possible? (First Nation residential school experience)

• Coordinating all marketing and promotional materials for the conference
• Assisting with speaker recruitment and scheduling
• Training volunteers

 

Counsellor (September 2001 – February 2002)

Calgary Young Offender Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

• Assisting young offenders with educational development and life planning
• Providing young offenders with social and employment skills training

 

EMPLOYMENT

Queens University, Faculty of Law (September 2023 to present)

Adjunct Professor, GdipICL

• Teaching in the Post Graduate Diploma programme – Legal Ethics
• Devising teaching strategies and materials to engage students through online learning

 

Fisher Law (January 2021 to January 2024)

Founder and Managing Lawyer
Calgary, Alberta

• Transitioning a solo practice to a team within two years of opening
• Managing a growing team from diverse backgrounds and legal training
• Crafting a law firm structure that supports Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in a meaningful and active manner
• Positioning Fisher Law as a community dedicated firm with active focus, creation, and presentation of educational and access to justice information
• Dedicating efforts to lawyer participation in multiple pro bono clients and initiatives
• Developing online and digital solutions for a hybrid law firm
• Positioning Fisher Law as a recognizable immigration law firm in Canada
• Hiring lawyers dedicated to serving communities and clients across Canada and around the world
• Placing Fisher Law lawyers on the Goodlawyer.ca platform to support the Alberta tech community
• Building a network of partners including the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, the Calgary Hotel Association, The Centre for Newcomers, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, and the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association

 

Transition to Immigration Lawyer (June 2018 to January 2021)
Calgary, Alberta

• Volunteering as a Pro bono lawyer with the Calgary Legal Guidance immigration and refugee clinic at the Calgary Women’s Immigration Association
• Ongoing observations of IRB hearings from November 2018
• Joining key legal associations and attending professional development sessions including those provided by the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers and presented monthly by the Immigration Section of the Canadian Bar Association
• Working with a senior bar mentor doing in-firm refugee file study, case law reports, country condition research and other related tasks
• Pursuing a Post Graduate Certificate in International Human Rights Law from the University of London, UK. This was a series of 16, 110-hour courses focusing on human rights and the application of legislation and refugee case law in a modern context. The courses include the application of the 1951 Convention Relating to Refugees and the 1967 Protocol and research into international factors impacting the rights and responsibilities of states including: o practices, policies and documentation of the UNHCR in relation to refugee protection, assistance and movement (including the guidelines, handbooks, policy updates, and other publications);
  • study of the CAT, the ICCPR, the Convention and other international treaties related to human rights and the status of refugees;
  • refoulement under international law;
  • country conditions in the many active refugee producing nations;
  • judicial and administrative frameworks,
  • re-settlement and re-integration from a legal, political and social perspective;
  • human trafficking and international responsibilities to respond; and
  • safety and security policies of a variety of nations.

• Taking the Immigration Practitioner Certificate at Bow Valley College
• Auditing the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law immigration law class
• Attending the annual Canadian Bar Association immigration law conference

 

Faculty Member (March 2015 – May 2018)

Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University
Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

Lecturer/Exam Creator

• Taught advanced English writing and communication courses
• Presented exam preparation skills sessions
• Created advanced level in-semester and exit exams
• Designed course structures and syllabi
• Researched and created a wide variety of educational materials
• Evaluated student development and created student progress reports
• Attended regular professional development seminars

 

Accreditation Planning

• Completed research and submitted reports for the Director, the Dean of Quality Assurance and Accreditation
• Designed research surveys, evaluation documentation and assessment criteria to assist with the accreditation process
• Presented research results, updates and action plans to the Accreditation Steering Committee
• Developed in-depth knowledge of the Commission on English Program Accreditation (the CEA) accreditation procedures and policies

 

Faculty Member (October 2012 – September 2014)

Institute of Banking, Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Program Development

• Designed professional development course proposals and marketing strategies
• Created communication channels, internal and external, to provide program development information and change to the organization
• Evaluated existing course structures and procedures
• Wrote reports and proposals regarding amendments to existing courses and programs
• Evaluated potential employees and assisted with the hiring process
• Supervised and edited the writing of press releases, internal and external reports, and proposal documentation
• Created standardized presentation materials for management and staff use

 

Course Development

• Designed professional development training sessions and trainer schedules
• Created new course syllabi and outlines
• Updated and re-structured existing course content
• Created trainer PowerPoint and other training materials

 

Business Skills Training

• Presented staff professional development training sessions on communication skills and business relations
• Conducted professional development workshops and seminars for members of the financial and insurance industries
• Taught negotiation skills, presentation skills, meeting coordination, business etiquette and high-level business document production (including statistical and evaluation reports) for internal and external clients
• Taught high level communication skills to women entering the financial and insurance industries in the Kingdom

 

IELTS Trainer and Examiner (May 2011 – May 2012)
Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

• Taught IELTS examination courses
• Examined IELTS candidates
• Taught English to Arabic speakers with a variety of language levels
• Researched and created educational materials
• Evaluated student development and progress
• Attended regular professional development sessions

 

Exam Creator and Exam Review Moderator (September 2010 – April 2011)

European School of Economics
London, United Kingdom

• Created the 2011/2012 International Business Law final exams for BA Marketing, BA Finance and BA Business Administration
• Was the second marker and review moderator for the International Business Law exams for the BA and MBA courses

 

Business English Manager and Business Skills Trainer (January 2010 – April 2011)

London School of Business and Finance (LSBF)
London, United Kingdom

Management Responsibilities

• Managed the LSBF business and financial English teaching team
• Designed and managed the LSBF one-to-one teaching program
• Conducted needs analyses to design and implement professional development training programs
• Created program courses and syllabi
• Sourced appropriate course books and other educational materials
• Conducted evaluations of student and teacher feedback to assist future program development and staff training implementation
• Created and edited marketing materials for Internet and print campaigns

 

Business Skills Training Courses Taught

• Business and financial English for MBA, MA and MSc students and business professionals
• IELTS, TOEFL, ICFE and ILEC exam preparation sessions
• Academic writing and foundation skills (including essay and report writing)
• Writing for professional purposes (report, proposal, memo and email writing skills)
• Pronunciation skills and both standard English and North American accent training
• Presentation and public speaking skills
• Negotiation and diplomacy skills
• Meeting coordination
• Professional etiquette and cross-cultural sensitivity for business purposes

 

English Teacher and Exam Preparation Instructor (May 2009 – January 2010)

Bloomsbury International School
London, United Kingdom

• Presented IELTS and TOEFL exam preparation courses and general exam preparation skills to international legal trainees, business students and graduate candidates
• Taught business and legal English
• Taught general English to international learners with a wide variety of language levels
• Designed course structures
• Researched and created educational materials
• Evaluated student development and progress and created student progress reports for various international governmental and educational bodies
• Attended regular professional development seminars

 

Lawyer (Energy/Corporate) (February 2008 – January 2009)

Hunton & Williams LLP
London, United Kingdom

• Represented blue chip UK and international energy trading companies and financial institutions on the drafting and negotiation of both structured and standardized energy trading documentation
• Selected for secondment to advise The Crown Estate
• Completed research on Crown marine rights
• Advised on international and Crown divestitures of energy related property rights
• Presented research results and updates at team meetings
• Drafted reports and educational briefs for the in-house legal team in relation to carbon capture and storage, UNCLOS and various matters relating to energy development
• Assisted with the development and project financing of UK waste to energy facilities and UK and international onshore and offshore wind farm projects
• Prepared research memorandum and presented information on a variety of topics including carbon capture and storage, UNCLOS, EU-ETS, UK EU-ETS CER Auction procedures, Russian JI legislation, the Marine Bill, the Energy Act and CDM projects
• Supervised and trained legal trainees in the areas of IT, research and legal skills development
• Created educational and promotional materials for partner presentations at international client meetings
• Gave both external and internal presentations on a variety of topics to clients and firm members
• Researched key information for materials used to present in-house energy law educational sessions
• Assisted with the organization of team social and professional development events
• Promoted Hunton & Williams at professional and client functions and reported back to the team on potential strategies and issues of interest

 

Trainee and Lawyer (July 2006 – January 2008)

Thackray Burgess Barristers and Solicitors

• Reviewed, proofed and edited a wide variety of contracts for international and Canadian energy companies including Leases, Pooling, Farm-out and Purchase & Share Agreements
• Completed title review and due diligence
• Attended and participated in high level transaction negotiations for the purchase and sale of substantial assets between international and Canadian energy companies
• Assisted litigation teams with the filing of documents, client communication, document review and made several court appearances
• Conducted legal research and prepared reports for the partnership

 

Legal Employee (June 2004 – August 2005)

Legal Services Department
ENMAX Corporation – Calgary, Canada

• Created and taught educational presentations to non-legal employees on basic legal and utility related matters
• Revised and developed a variety of utilities contracts
• Reviewed minute books
• Created promissory notes, letters of agreement and shareholder and director resolutions
• Represented employees in civil matters

 

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• Immigration Practitioner Certificate (October 2020)
  Bow Valley College, Calgary AB
• Post Graduate Certificate in International Human Rights Law (December 2020)
  University of London (University College London and Queen Mary’s University of London co-program)
  London, United Kingdom (distance degree)
• IELTS Examiner Certification (March 2012)
  Arab Education and Training Group, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Alberta Bar Qualification (October 2007)
  Alberta Justice and Attorney General, Calgary, Canada
  Completed legal training program and admitted formally to the bar
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (May 2006)
  University of Calgary, Canada
  Energy development concentration
• Bachelor of Psychology (BA Honours), Minor in Law and Society (May 2002)
  University of Calgary, Canada
  Forensic concentration

Honours research and thesis regarding police witness identification procedures

 

You can contact Rowan via email [email protected] or via phone (403) 283-8018.