Notre Histoire · Our Story

Established in Montréal in 1991 — and still at the forefront.

For over three decades, Leiter Rahme has built its reputation on a single principle: clients deserve licensed legal counsel, not shortcuts. Founded in 1991, the firm was among the first to treat cross-border immigration as a specialized discipline — long before it became a crowded field.

Today, our dual bar admissions — Barreau du Québec and the New York State Bar Association — position us uniquely to serve clients navigating both the Canadian and U.S. immigration systems from a single point of contact in Montréal.

Notre Mission

Our founding principles — unchanged since 1991

Authority Through Licensure

Immigration is a legal matter. Every file at Leiter Rahme is handled by a bar-admitted attorney. We don’t use consultants, case managers, or automation to make legal judgments.

Accessibility Without Compromise

Premium immigration law should not be accessible only to clients who can fly to New York. We offer NYSBA-licensed U.S. immigration legal services from Montréal, in four languages.

Honest Counsel, Every Time

We turn away cases we cannot win. We disclose timelines that are unfavorable. We give our honest probability assessment before you commit — because that’s what licensed counsel requires.

Immigration decisions shape the trajectory of families and careers. Our role is to give every client the legal certainty they deserve — on both sides of the border.

— Firm Mission Statement, 1991
1991
Year founded
35+
Years of practice
50+
Countries served
4
Languages of service
Notre Équipe · Our Attorneys

Meet the attorneys

Every client file is handled by a bar-admitted attorney. No exceptions.

Barbara Leiter
Senior Partner · Immigration Law
New York State BarBarreau du Québec

“Immigration law is not just paperwork — it is the architecture of someone’s future. We build it carefully.”

Called to the Barreau du Québec and admitted to the New York State Bar. Over two decades of combined Canadian and U.S. immigration practice, with particular focus on investor visas and complex refusal cases.

LanguagesEnglish · Français · العربية
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Gissa Rahme
Partner · Canadian Immigration
Barreau du Québec

“My goal is that every client understands not just what we’re doing, but why — and what the risk is at every step.”

Barreau du Québec member specializing in Express Entry, provincial nominee programs, and family sponsorship. Extensive experience with IRCC judicial review applications in Federal Court.

LanguagesFrançais · English · Español
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Miguel
Associate · U.S. Immigration
New York State Bar

“U.S. immigration from Canada is a niche — and it’s ours. Clients shouldn’t need to hire two separate firms for one life move.”

New York State Bar admitted attorney focused on U.S. investor, professional, and employer-sponsored immigration. Particular expertise in TN visa, L-1, and E-2 investor applications from Canada.

LanguagesEnglish · Français
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Credentials · Accréditations

Professional credentials & affiliations

Barreau du Québec

Ordre des avocats du Québec — full provincial bar admission.

Since 1991
New York State Bar

NYSBA — licensed to practice U.S. immigration law.

NYSBA admitted
AILA

American Immigration Lawyers Association — peer-reviewed membership.

Active member
Canadian Bar Assoc.

National Immigration Law Section.

CBA member
Témoignages

What clients say about our team

★★★★★

“The attorneys at Leiter Rahme are the first I’ve worked with who could discuss both my Canadian residency and my U.S. investor visa in the same conversation, with legal authority in both jurisdictions.”

Khalid A.
Québec → Canada / U.S. · E-2 + Express Entry
★★★★★

“They told me my first Express Entry profile wasn’t competitive enough and recommended a PNP pathway instead. That honesty saved me 18 months of failed draws.”

Priya R.
India → Ontario · Provincial Nominee Program
★★★★★

“After a traumatic refusal with another firm, I came to Leiter Rahme. They took over my file, filed a Federal Court judicial review, and we won. I have my Canadian PR today.”

Yusuf B.
Tunis · Montréal · Judicial Review · PR Granted
Travaillons Ensemble

Ready to work with our team?

Start with a free 15-minute consultation. Our attorneys will assess your situation and recommend a clear path forward.