RIP Mendel Green
This post is personal. Mendel Green passed away on 13 JAN 2023. He is a legend in Canadian immigration law. Many have called him the Grandfather of Canadian immigration law. His impact and legacy within our immigration system, arguably the best immigration in the world, cannot be overstated. I am not exaggerating when I say that Canada would not be the same country without the work of Mendel Green. He spent decades serving clients, mentoring lawyers, guiding Ministers and shaping our laws & regulations.
Personally, I articled at Green & Spiegel LLP in 2007 and I worked there briefly in 2008 as an Associate before I moved to a legal aid clinic. During my time at G&S, I worked closely with Mr Green (for me, he was always “Mr Green”) on many files, some of national importance. I spent many hours in his office taking notes and learning from the way he practiced law. I remember his amazing attention to detail. He genuinely cared about every person who walked into his office and he greeted everyone with warmth. He loved solving puzzles and finding the crux of the case.
Mendel was a legal pioneer. He was instrumental in setting up the Immigration Bar and most members spent some time of their career as part of his firm. He was a man who those who met, never forgot. He had a small town smile in a large city.
I agree 100%. I heard about his passing from an email. The same day, the CBA Immigration section listserv was filled with heartfelt notes and convalescences. Mr Green has had a direct positive impact on more immigration lawyers than I can name in this space. It would not be an exaggeration that Mr Green has helped, directly and indirectly, +100,000 people in Canada.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to work with Mr Green and to learn from his experience. For many years, I have been presenting guest lectures to law school students and university students. One of my presentations focuses on the creation of the IRB and the Singh decision. Mr Green argued that case at the Supreme Court of Canada, a decision that significantly changed the Canadian immigration system. When I speak with students, I will often share anecdotes or stories from Mr Green. He will always be a mentor of mine and will continue to honour his memory by sharing his insight.
