Queen’s Marque
600-1741 Lower Water Street
Halifax, N.S.
B3J 0J2
sespinalhenao@stewartmckelvey.com
Language(s) spoken: English, French, Spanish
Bar Admission(s): Nova Scotia, 2018
Legal Assistant(s): Linsay Newell
Sara advises Canadian and multinational corporations on their international mobility strategies as they navigate the complex Canadian immigration system to recruit international talent. She also works with foreign nationals seeking advice on a wide range of immigration matters, from temporary and permanent residence to Canadian citizenship. Sara is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, as well as the current Vice-Chair of the CBA-NS Citizenship and Immigration Section. Sara’s experience includes:
Business Global Mobility Advice
- Designing global mobility strategies for business clients.
- Assisting multinational companies in securing work permits for foreign employees transferring to Canadian subsidiaries for temporary work assignments.
- Assisting companies in securing work permits for highly skilled foreign workers.
- Facilitating the short-term entry of business visitors and professionals through work permit exemptions.
- Assisting with Labour Market Impact Applications, Work Permit applications, and Business Visitor documentation.
Employer Compliance
- Advising clients on their employer compliance obligations with immigration regulations when hiring and employing foreign workers.
- Advising clients on how to respond to immigration audits.
- Assisting employers on corporate due diligence measures to maintain proper records related to the employment of foreign workers.
- Assisting businesses in designing and implementing strategies to address foreign nationals’ work eligibility and mobility issues caused by business restructuring as a result of mergers and acquisitions.
Individual Advice
- Assisting individual clients seeking immigration into Canada as traders, investors, self-employed persons, and entrepreneurs.
- Advising clients on their immigration options, from temporary status to permanent residence and ultimately, citizenship.
- Acting as immigration representative on temporary and permanent residence applications.
- Advocating for clients at various levels of the Canadian immigration system.
- Assisting clients in overcoming criminal and medical inadmissibility issues.
- Providing immigration strategies for francophone individuals.
Education & Career
Education
McGill University, B.C.L./LLB, 2017
McGill University, BA (joint honours in International Development Studies and Political Science), 2013
Activities
Member, Canadian Bar Association
Vice-Chair of the CBA NS – Citizenship and Immigration Section, September 2022 – Present
Atlantic chapter head, Canadian Hispanic Bar Association
Legal volunteer, reachAbility Association, April 2018 – present
Corporate secretary, Fusion Halifax, 2017 – present
Case worker, McGill’s Humanitarian & Compassionate Project, 2015 – 2017
Legal volunteer, Legal Information Clinic at McGill, 2015 – 2016
Senior editor, Inter Gentes – The McGill Journal of International Law and Legal Pluralism, 2014 – 2016
Accolades
Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” 2024
McGill University Dean’s List
Thought Leadership
IRCC expands authorization for foreign workers to study without a study permit: Four things you need to know
July 13, 2023
Beyond the Border: A Year End Immigration Wrap-Up
December 13, 2022
think: international talent
November 29, 2022
Nova Scotia: Canada’s emerging immigration hub
November 17, 2022
Atlantic Canada offers immigration pathways for workers in Trucking, Health, Construction and Food Service Industries
July 27, 2022
Beyond the border: Immigration update – July 2022
July 18, 2022
Canada launches new measure to support Ukrainians at home and abroad; The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel
March 18, 2022
Beyond the border: Immigration update – October 2021
October 20, 2021
Canada’s bid to attract entrepreneurs: the Start-up Visa Program
October 16, 2020
Beyond the border: Immigration update – January 2020
January 31, 2020
Presentations
“Demystifying immigration for employers”, Halifax Partnership
June 20, 2023
“Labour Market Impact Assessments Overview and Current Trends”, Canadian Bar Association National Immigration Conference
June 02, 2023
“Updates on Immigration Law”, In-House Counsel Day
October 06, 2022
“Avoiding and Dealing with a Study Permit Refusal”, Memorial University
“Hiring Foreign Workers 101 Webinar”, Labour and Employment Clients
May 26, 2022
“Study Permits: Refusals and Re-Application”, MUN Internationalization Office session
January 18, 2022
“The legal implications of chronic illness or disability on the pursuit of citizenship”, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)
July 31, 2018