About us

Juliana Dalley (she, her)

Legal Director

Juliana is a passionate advocate for newcomers to Canada. Prior to joining the IRLC, Juliana worked as an immigration and refugee lawyer in private practice and at a legal clinic where she helped migrant workers with immigration and employment issues. She has appeared before all levels of the Immigration and Refugee Board as well as the Federal Court and has testified before House of Commons standing committees. Juliana clerked for Madam Justice Hansen at the Federal Court of Canada after receiving her law degree in 2013.

Darcy Golden (she, her)

Staff Lawyer

Darcy Golden is a dedicated legal advocate. Prior to joining the IRLC, Darcy worked with newcomers to Canada as a sole practitioner in private practice. Darcy’s legal education includes an internship at the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative in Accra, Ghana, a fellowship at the Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto and an internship at the Together Against Poverty Society in Victoria, BC. Darcy has represented clients at the Immigration and Refugee Board, the Federal Court and the Provincial Court of British Columbia.

Laura Best (she, her)

Staff Lawyer

Laura believes that everyone has a right to live in safety, and that Canada should be a safe haven for those who need it. She is experienced in helping reunite families, aiding those fleeing war or persecution, and assisting students and workers find their way in Canada. She has over 10 years of experience in immigration and refugee law in both British Columbia and Ontario. Laura regularly appears before all levels of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada and the Federal Court of Canada. She is frequently relied upon by various media outlets to comment on issues relevant to Canadian immigration and is often asked to speak at legal conferences and community events.

Amanda Aziz (she, her)

Staff Lawyer

Amanda is a Staff Lawyer with the Immigration and Refugee Legal Clinic. She is a long-time advocate for migrant justice, is the proud daughter of immigrants and has supported many families in navigating their immigration status in Canada. She has appeared regularly before all levels of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada as well as the Federal Court of Canada and has testified before federal standing committees of the House of Commons and Senate.

Amanda has worked with organizations supporting women and workers’ rights, including the West Coast Legal Education and Action Fund, the BC Government and Service Employees Union and the Canadian Labour Congress, and is a member of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers National Executive. She is also a regular volunteer with Rise Women’s Legal Clinic and is actively involved with Vancouver’s sanctuary city movement, advocating for access to services for all regardless of immigration status. Prior to her life as a lawyer, Amanda represented students at the national level, advocating for accessible post-secondary education. She received her law degree from the University of Victoria in 2014.

Xilonen Hanson Pastran (she/her)

Staff Lawyer

Xilonen (see-low-nen) (she/her) was called to the Law Society of BC in September 2024. She practices exclusively in immigration and refugee law. She has worked with IRLC as a summer student, volunteer, articling student, and now as a Staff Lawyer. She is passionate about access to justice, trauma-informed practice, cultural safety, accessibility, and humility. She obtained her Juris Doctor degree from University of Victoria. In 2020, Xilonen received the Lieutenant Governor Silver Medal in Democracy, Inclusion, and Reconciliation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology and Indigenous studies. Before her practice in law, she worked for several research projects on topics such as restorative justice and Indigenous justice, anti-violence worker wellness, and the Independent Assessment Process of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement.  In her down time, Xilonen enjoys the energizing company of her goldendoodle, Mijo.

Dunni Awe (she, her)

Staff Lawyer

Dunni was called to the Bar in Nigeria in 2017 before moving to Canada to pursue her Master’s degree. She completed part of her articles here at the Clinic and the other part at Access Pro Bono’s Everyone Legal Clinic.

Before her articles, Dunni worked as a legal advocate where she provided a range of advocacy services to the downtown east-side community. She was called to the Bar in BC in 2024.

She enjoys spending time outdoors and with her family.

Katie Lay (she, her)

Summary Advice Lawyer

Katie received her JD from the University of Victoria in 2021 and was called to the BC bar in 2022. She has worked exclusively in immigration law, both in private practice and in legal clinics, and has experience advising and representing clients across a wide range of legal issues. Katie was the recipient of the 2024 CBA Immigration Law Section’s Founders’ Award, which reflects her unwavering passion for immigration law. Outside of work, Katie sits on the board of the Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture and enjoys spending time with her dachshund, Barry.

Omar Chu (he, him)

Acting Clinic Director

Through his involvement with grassroots migrant justice movements, Omar Chu has been assisting with immigration and refugee legal issues for over ten years.  He has a BA in Peace Studies from the University of Bradford, and he has worked fighting for rights and better policy with the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition and the BC Health Coalition. He can speak French conversationally and can tell when his friends are making fun of him in Spanish.

Jinhee Lee (she, her)

Director of Finance & Operations

Jinhee obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from South Korea, and immigrated to Canada in 2015. After arriving in Canada, Jinhee worked at a legal clinic in Edmonton, where she found her passion providing legal support to people who are in challenging circumstances. She continued working at an immigration law firm after relocating to Vancouver where she gained extensive knowledge of immigration & refugee law and developed her management skills. She is fluent in Korean, and in her spare time, she enjoys knitting.

Nathalia da Silva Oliveira (she, her)

Legal Assistant

Nathalia obtained a Bachelor of Law degree in Brazil, and she immigrated to Canada in 2014. She works with immigration law since 2015, and she is passionate about refugee law and humanitarian and compassionate causes. She is currently completing her LLM in Common Law at Osgoode Hall Law School. Nathalia is fluent in Portuguese (Brazil) and Spanish. In her free time, she loves baking, meditating, and reading.

Niamh Stowell (she, her)

Legal Assistant

Niamh previously worked in immigration law in the UK. She has an MSci in International Relations and Global Issues from the University of Nottingham. After graduating she obtained her legal qualifications and has worked in both immigration private practice and third sector. Whilst in the UK she worked primarily on refugee and human rights claims, as well as running a legal outreach advice program. She recently emigrated to Canada, and in her spare time she enjoys exploring British Columbia, reading and sewing.

Vannessa Carol (she, her)

Legal Assistant

Vannessa has been working in the field of immigration law since 2018. She is passionate about this work because it allows her to connect with people from different walks of life while using her skills to empower and support others. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Gender Studies(joint degree) from Simon Fraser University and a Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law from Queens University. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, painting and trying new restaurants.