Practice

As an immigration and citizenship lawyer, Andrew assists his clients with claiming refugee status, obtaining temporary and permanent visas, and securing Canadian citizenship.

His experience in these areas earned him appointments to the Immigration Appeal Board in 1986 as a member and to the Immigration and Refugee Board in 1989 as Assistant Deputy Chair.  In 1995, he also acted as co-counsel to Cecil Rotenberg, Q.C., and won an immigration case in the Supreme Court of Canada.

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Leadership positions

Andrew is a leader within the Immigration Bar in British Columbia and Canada.  He has served as President of the Immigration Section of the Canadian Bar Association, B.C. Branch.  And as Chair of the Overseas Committee of the Immigration Section of the CBA, B.C. Branch.  At the present time, Andrew is serving as Member at Large in the National Immigration Section, Canadian Bar Association.  He has also been appointed as Member of the Advisory Committee on Alternate Dispute Resolution created by the Immigration and Refugee Board.

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Philosophy

A Canadian of Polish heritage who is fluent in both English and Polish, Andrew possesses a deep understanding of multicultural issues, which he puts to good use in serving his community.

He has served as President of the Vancouver Folkfest Society.  And, after a two-year term as president of the Vancouver Multicultural Society, he won a special recognition award in 1996.

He is currently general counsel of the Canadian Polish Congress, B.C. Branch.  He was awarded a gold medal for distinguished service in 1980 by the Canadian Polish Congress.

A strong supporter of Polish culture, Andrew is a former president of the Polish Canadian Television Production Society and the Karpaty Polish Dancers.  Currently, he represents the Polish Community as a Member of the Board of the GVC Credit Union.

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Writing and Speaking

Andrew has written extensively on immigration-related topics.  He is one of the authors of the Canada Practice Guide on Immigration Appeals Before the Immigration Appeal Division and is currently an associate editor of the Immigration Law Reporter.  He has spoken frequently on immigration law topics for the Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, the Canadian Bar Association and the People's Law School.  He is currently a lecturer in immigration law in the Immigration Practitioner Certificate Program sponsored jointly by the Continuing Education Faculties at Seneca College of Applied Science and Technology and the University of British Columbia.

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Education and background

Andrew graduated from the University of British Columbia with a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of laws degree.  Called to the bar in 1978 in B.C., he now practises with Lowe and Company in Vancouver.  He has been recognized in the Canadian Legal Expert Directory 2001 as a leading immigration law practitioner in British Columbia.  He lives in Burnaby, B.C., with his wife and son.

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