Warda Shazadi Meighen - Refugee, Immigration & Human Rights Lawyer

Warda Shazadi MeighenB.A.H., J.D., MSc.

Partner (she/her)

Tel: +1-647-660-9975 | Email: [email protected]

Law Clerk
Gillian Conder-Beisel (she/her)
Tel: +1-437-826-7400 | Email: [email protected]

Warda Shazadi Meighen is an experienced lawyer and recognized as a Leading Practitioner (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) by Lexpert. Warda has appeared at various levels of courts and tribunals, including the Supreme Court of Canada. For nearly a decade, Warda has taught at Ontario law schools, including at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law for the past 7 years. Warda began her legal career as a corporate lawyer at Shearman & Sterling LLP in New York.

Her practice focuses on representing clients in various refugee and immigration matters, demonstrating proficiency in both straightforward and complex cases. Currently serving as the Vice President of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers and a member of the World Refugee Migration Council, Warda’s efforts for migrants and refugees extend beyond her legal practice. Warda actively participates as an expert in Parliamentary and Senate committees, addressing crucial issues in refugee and immigration law.

Warda’s professional background includes corporate law experience at Shearman & Sterling LLP in New York, as well as contributions to prosecutions related to the Rwandan genocide at the United Nations Tribunal for Rwanda.

Warda is called to the bars of Ontario and New York and is proficient in English, Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi.

Education

  • University of Oxford, MSc.
  • University of Toronto, J.D.
  • University of Toronto, B.A.H.

Select Experience

  • Adjunct Professor, University of Toronto Faculty of Law
  • Vice-President, National Executive Committee of Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers
  • Member, World Refugee Migration Council
  • Board Director, Stratford Festival
  • Attorney, Sherman & Sterling LLP (New York)

Awards & Distinctions

  • Dean’s Bronze Scholar in Law
  • Repeatedly Recommended (Immigration) Lexpert® (2022, 2023, 2024)
  • Leading Lawyer to Watch (Immigration) Lexpert® (2021)
  • Rising Star: Leading Lawyer by Lexpert® (2020)
  • Dean’s List Scholar
  • Oxford Refugee Studies Centre Grant
  • McCarthy Tétrault Prize for Academic Excellence
  • Torys Public Interest Award
  • Fasken Martineau DuMoulin Prize in Public Law

Law Clerk