Pokharel Law Pokharel Law Toronto · Ontario, Canada
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Immigration & Refugee Law

Your justice.
My mission.

Pokharel Law is a Toronto firm working in immigration, refugee, family, and civil law. We represent clients across Ontario and Canada — file by file, with the time each case deserves.

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Called to the Ontario Bar, 2022 RPD · RAD · Federal Court Multilingual team
1000+
Refugees represented
12
Languages spoken
2
Offices — Toronto & Calgary
Rajendra Pokharel, Founder & Principal Lawyer at Pokharel Law, Toronto
Rajendra Pokharel
Founder & Principal Lawyer
About the firm

A practice rooted in refugee and immigration law.

“I founded Pokharel Law to provide dedicated, compassionate legal support to people navigating the complexities of immigration and refugee law.”

Rajendra Pokharel, Founder & Principal Lawyer

Pokharel Law was founded in August 2024 to provide direct, founder-led representation in matters that often involve people at the most vulnerable points of their lives.

Mr. Pokharel was called to the Ontario Bar in November 2022. Before founding the firm, he practised at one of Toronto's largest refugee law firms, where he represented clients across a wide range of refugee and immigration cases.

He holds an LLB (Hons) from BPP University in the United Kingdom and an LLM in Business Law from the University of Montreal. Over the course of his career he has worked with more than 100 refugees, gaining extensive experience in managing complex immigration files.

Fluent in English, Hindi, and Nepali — with a basic understanding of French and German — Rajendra leads a diverse team capable of serving clients in Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Sinhalese, Yoruba, and Edo.

Credentials

  • Called to the Ontario Bar, November 2022
  • LLM in Business Law — Université de Montréal
  • LLB (Hons) — BPP University, United Kingdom

Languages (founder)

English · Nepali · Hindi · Basic French · Basic German

Practice areas

Five disciplines we take on every day.

We work within a deliberately narrow scope — areas where our counsel has direct tribunal and court experience.

01

Refugee Law

Refugee Protection Division hearings, Refugee Appeal Division submissions, PRRA applications, and Federal Court judicial reviews.

02

Immigration Law

Express Entry, Provincial Nominees, study and work permits, spousal sponsorship, humanitarian & compassionate applications, and inadmissibility files.

03

Civil Litigation

Commercial and personal disputes, debt recovery, and Landlord & Tenant Board proceedings.

04

Family Law

Spousal sponsorship, separation agreements, and cross-border family matters.

05

Notary Public

Affidavits, statutory declarations, certified true copies, and notarization of documents for use in Canada and abroad.

The team

You'll know your counsel by name.

A small team of lawyers, consultants, and clerks who carry files personally — from the first call to the final decision.

Languages spoken across the team

English · Nepali · Hindi · Bengali · Punjabi · Tamil · Telugu · Kannada · Malayalam · Sinhalese · Yoruba · Edo

Portrait of Rajendra Pokharel

Rajendra Pokharel

Founder & Principal Lawyer
Immigration · Refugee Law

Mr. Pokharel is the Founder and Principal Lawyer of Pokharel Law, established in August 2024, which focuses on immigration and refugee law. Called to the Ontario Bar in 2022, he has built his practice on strong advocacy and accessible legal services for individuals and families seeking support with immigration matters.

I hold an LLB (Hons) from BPP University in the United Kingdom and an LLM in Business Law from the University of Montreal. Before founding the firm, I practiced at one of Toronto's leading refugee law firms, representing clients across a wide range of refugee and immigration cases. Throughout my career, I have worked with more than 100 refugees and asylum seekers, providing me with extensive experience in case preparation, legal strategy, and client representation. In addition to English, I am fluent in Hindi and Nepali and have a basic understanding of French and German, allowing me to effectively serve a diverse clientele.

Under my leadership, Pokharel Law has proudly built a multilingual and culturally diverse team capable of serving clients from a wide range of backgrounds. The firm provides services in Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Sinhalese, Yoruba, and Edo, ensuring effective, accessible communication and personalized support throughout the legal process.

Education & Admissions

  • LLM, University of Montreal (Canada)
  • LLB (Hons), BPP University (United Kingdom)
Portrait of Nabina Khanal

Nabina Khanal

Law Clerk
Refugee · Immigration · Family

I am Nabina Khanal, a Law Clerk graduate from Seneca Polytechnic and a current law student at Arden University. I also hold a law degree from Nepal, which has provided me with both theoretical and practical knowledge of the legal systems in Nepal and Canada.

I have experience working in Refugee, Immigration, and Family Law matters, where I assist clients through various stages of their legal process with professionalism and care. Prior to joining the legal field in Canada, I interned with the ServiceOntario Business Registry Office, where I gained valuable administrative and client service experience.

As one of the first points of contact for clients, I strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment while ensuring that files and documentation are handled efficiently and accurately. I assist lawyers with legal drafting, court filings, client communication, and case preparation. I understand that legal matters can often be stressful, and I am committed to helping clients navigate the process smoothly and confidently.

I am passionate about serving diverse communities and take pride in being organized, detail-oriented, and client-focused in my work.

PA

Prachi Awasthi

IT Administrator
Cybersecurity · Networking · IT Systems

I am Prachi Awasthi, an IT Admin with a strong background in cybersecurity, networking, and information technology. I graduated in Cyber Security and Networking from Seneca Polytechnic and also hold a degree in Information Systems from Nepal, which has provided me with both theoretical and practical knowledge of IT systems and technology management.

I have certifications in Cybersecurity Risk Assessment and Database Management, and I have also completed training in Website Designing and Software Development in Nepal. Through my education and professional experience, I have developed strong technical skills in Linux/UNIX administration, Microsoft administration, wireless networks, software-defined networks, cloud services, maintenance and security, analyzing and resolving information technology problems, and system design and installation.

As an IT Admin, I manage networking and cybersecurity operations within a law office environment. I assist with maintaining secure systems, monitoring network performance, managing user accounts and cloud services, troubleshooting technical issues, performing system updates and data backups, and ensuring the security of confidential legal and client information. I also look after several office software systems, legal software applications, and network infrastructure to ensure smooth and efficient day-to-day operations. In addition, I provide technical support to staff and help maintain reliable and secure IT systems across the office.

I am passionate about technology and cybersecurity and take pride in being organized, detail-oriented, and solution-focused in my work. I am committed to providing reliable IT support while helping maintain secure and efficient systems in a professional environment.

Offices

Our offices.

Head Office

Toronto

2 Bloor St West
Toronto, ON

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Branch Office

Calgary

421 7 Ave SW
Calgary, AB T2P 4K9

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Frequently asked questions

Refugee and immigration questions, answered plainly.

New in 2026: the one-year rule and the 14-day border rule under Bill C-12 — who they affect and what options remain.

How do I start a refugee claim in Canada?

A claim can be made at a Canadian port of entry or from inside Canada through an online application. We assist with form preparation, evidence gathering, and representation before the Immigration and Refugee Board.

Who qualifies as a Convention Refugee?

A Convention Refugee is a person who fears persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. A person in need of protection faces torture, risk to life, or cruel treatment if returned home.

How long does a refugee claim take?

Most claims take 12 to 24 months to reach a decision. We track every stage and ensure deadlines are met.

Can I work or study while my claim is processed?

Yes. Most refugee claimants can apply for a work permit or study permit after their claim is referred to the IRB.

What if my claim is refused?

You may appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division or seek judicial review at the Federal Court. We represent clients at both stages.

What's the difference between a refugee claim and an H&C application?

A refugee claim is based on fear of persecution. A humanitarian & compassionate application is for individuals who do not qualify as refugees but have strong personal, family, or community ties in Canada.

Contact

Tell us about your matter.

Every engagement begins with a private consultation. We respond within one business day.

Submitting this form does not create a solicitor-client relationship. Information sent is treated as confidential but is not legal advice.