Lawyer Raoul Boulakia is in the news again today, speaking on behalf of his long-suffering client Suaad Hagi Mohamud.
Boulakia frequently takes legal aid cases (according to a recent Toronto Star article), works almost exclusively with refugees or new Canadians, and has extensive experience with Canada’s immigration policies concerning DNA evidence of identity.
An outspoken critic of Immigration Canada practices, Boulakia’s passion for these issues extends beyond the courtroom to advocacy work on behalf of his client base — some of whom don’t even qualify for legal aid, and who Boulakia instead represents pro bono.
His efforts have garnered him accolades from his colleagues and a term as president of the Refugee Lawyers Association of Ontario. Boulakia’s small practice is based in downtown Toronto.
Lawyers like Boulakia are at the centre of the debate over legal aid funding — a debate that has seen many of his peers boycott certain legal aid cases. What do you think? Take our poll (to the right of this post) and let us know.