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.

Rajendra Pokharel, Founder & Principal Lawyer
Rajendra Pokharel Founder & Principal Lawyer
About the firm

A practice rooted in refugee and immigration law.

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.

Before founding Pokharel Law in August 2024, Rajendra practised at one of Toronto's largest refugee-law firms, where he represented clients across the full range of refugee and immigration matters. Over his career he has assisted more than 100 refugee claimants.

“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
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.

  1. Refugee Law

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

  2. Immigration Law

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

  3. Civil Litigation

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

  4. Family Law

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

  5. 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.

  • Portrait of Rajendra Pokharel

    Rajendra Pokharel

    Founder & Principal Lawyer

    Immigration · Refugee Law

  • Portrait of Kirti Dhagavkar

    Kirti Dhagavkar

    Barrister & Solicitor

    Personal Injury · Civil Litigation

  • Portrait of Navjiwan Singh

    Navjiwan Singh

    RCIC-IRB · Immigration Consultant

    Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant

  • Nabina Khanal

    Law Clerk

    Refugee · Immigration · Family

Languages spoken across the team

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

Offices

Three locations across Ontario.

  • Head Office

    Toronto

    2 Bloor Street West
    Toronto, ON M4W 3E2
    View on map
  • Branch Office

    Brampton

    2 County Court Blvd, Suite 300
    Brampton, ON L6W 3W8
    View on map
  • Branch Office

    St. Catharines

    39 Queen Street
    St. Catharines, ON L2R 5G6
    View on map
Frequently asked questions

Refugee and immigration questions, answered plainly.

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.