Jacqueline Lewis
First Name
Jacqueline
Last Name
Lewis
Present Position / Designation
Founder and Managing Partner
Bio-Professional Background (Brief)
Marquis Who’s Who has honored Jacqueline Lewis, BA, LLB, LLM, for her expertise in the field of law. Ms. Lewis is a distinguished attorney, founder and managing partner of an eponymous refugee law firm - likely the largest woman owned firm in Canada and the largest refugee law firm in North America, consisting of 45 lawyers, 15 law students and several support staff. She is also an author and advocate for human rights, working to make a genuine difference. Backed by her robust work ethic and determination, Ms. Lewis fights to defend access to justice for all people and ensure a successful outcome for her clients. Her passion has met the complex and diverse needs of immigrants, refugees and the LGBTQ+ community worldwide. She has never faltered in her earnest passion for protecting human rights through her law practice and wider community initiatives.
Ms. Lewis’ Education
Ms. Lewis first pursued her education to prepare herself for a career in law. She received a bachelor’s degree in arts with honors from York University in 1985 and a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Western Ontario in 1989. After founding her law firm, Ms. Lewis earned a master’s degree in administrative law from the York University Osgoode Hall Law School in 2001.
Founding and Growing Lewis & Associates
Since its founding in 1991, Ms. Lewis has continued to serve as the managing partner of Lewis & Associates in Toronto, Canada. In this role, Ms. Lewis practices law and oversees the entire firm, working to create a culture of inclusivity and advocacy. She attributes her ongoing success to hard work, determination and her passion for diversity, which provides richer and more expansive opportunities to learn and grow. Her success is rooted in her ability to understand people, know their wants and needs and find a way to help them.
Awards and Accolades
Ms. Lewis received the Laura Legge Award from the Law Society of Ontario in 2020 and the Torch Bearers Award in 2023. She is especially proud of the Laura Legge Award, as it reflects her contributions to law in Canada, her dedication to creating access to justice and her work for the LGBTQ+ community.
Work and Passions Outside of Law
Beyond her law practice, Ms. Lewis served as president of the Two-Wheeling Women, an exclusively women's Bike Touring company from 2013 to 2020 while practicing law. She was a law instructor at Western University from 2011 to 2014 where she was voted, by her students, to be on the Dean's Honour Roll for Instructors. She was also a law instructor at Carleton University. She is the president of the Egale Canada Human Rights Trust, a role which she has held since 2015. She has also sat on the Board of Friends of Ruby. Ever the advocate, Ms. Lewis spearheaded the first LGBTQ+ shelter and transitional housing project in her city.
Outside of being a professional, Ms. Lewis is an avid kayaker, a painter and an author. She was the first woman to circumnavigate Prince Edward Island and has won seven medals from the Canadian National Masters Championship for Kayaking. Ms. Lewis is the author of the 2013 book “The Question of Identity.”
Moving Forward
In her law practice, Ms. Lewis’ motto is “When you work with us, you have a lawyer in your family.” This central concept drives her to serve every community member, considering more so the legacy she creates than the money she could make. Her remarkable dedication to the underserved and neglected has made her an outstanding figure in her profession. Looking to the future, she plans to pass the firm on to lawyers in the firm who will follow in her footsteps while she continues to impact her community.
More Details
Ms. Lewis has mentored dozens of young lawyers and has created a firm that is inspired by her strong family values. She treats all of those she works with and her clients as family members and is there to assist them in any way possible. By way of example, one late evening, she was contacted by one of her support staff who asked Ms. Lewis to loan her money to pay to euthanize her dog who was suffering from a spinal injury. Instead, Ms. Lewis paid for the 10,000 surgery to save the dog. This is just one example of many in how she gives back to the people she works with and her community.
Reviews
Location not specified
Firm / Company Name
Lewis & Associates LLP
Region
-
Americas
Jackie is a professional expert, very passionate. She is good at everything she does. Whether at work or recreation, Jackie puts in her best because she an achiever. If you want honesty, passion, dependability and professionalism, call Jackie.
I have had both the pleasure and privilege of working with Jacqueline (Jacki) Lewis for over 25 years and can think of no other individual who is more deserving of being acknowledged for their leadership in the legal profession. I have been honoured to practice alongside Jacki through the entirety of my career, and the fact of our enduring relationship serves as a testament to the exceptionally high regard I have for her. Jacki has established herself as a relentless human rights advocate and an exceptional leader in her chosen field. I simply cannot recommend her highly enough to be recognized for her outstanding achievement.
Professional, accomplished and a mentor. Jacqueline serves the public and has helped so many. She’s a wonderful, giving person who deserves this recognition as someone noted as being at the top of her field.
Jacki is an amazing example of generosity and compassion in her firm and her personal life
I cant think of anyone my re deserving
Jacki is a fantastic mentor and an incredible motivator. Learning from her comes naturally. I feel so blessed to be working with and learning from her. She is one of the best in the industry.
Ms. Lewis has had a profound impact on my life and has been the most wonderful mentor to me for the past ten years as an associate at her law firm. It is inspiring to see how she advocates for all of our clients from all over the world.
Ms. Lewis brings a considered and thoughtful approach to leadership but also a willingness to hear from the other lawyers in her firm. To me, this is the true definition of a leader. She listens to everyone and comes up with thoughtful, inclusive decisions. Ms. Lewis embodies all the characteristics that make her a true leader and is someone I look up to. From our first meeting, Ms. Lewis inspired me. Not only on a professional level, from her many accomplishments and accolades, but also on a personal level, as a woman I hoped to one day be just like. I feel lucky and privileged to not only be able to work for such an amazing person but also to continue to learn from her.
Jacki is dedicated compassionate and empathetic leader in her legal practice and community.
Jacki is an excellent professional, compassionate, great mentor and I believe has built one of the most diverse law office in Canada.
Jacqueline is a very compassionate Lawyer and she's a kind human. She is an excellent immigration Lawyer and I hope she receives this award .
I met Jackie a few years back as a member of Tamogo when my Refugee Hearing had just been totally messed up by the Nigerian Lawyer who handled my case. I learnt about her partnership with Tamogo to work with Refugees like myself at a discounted rate. Jackie is unbelievably humane,kind,responsive,empathetic
The first thing she told me was "I know you have been through a lot,you are paying me to take the load off your shoulders and that is what am going to do" And that was exactly what she did! Today I am a Permanent Resident by the grace of God & Jackie's dedication & commitment. She is not just about the money,she sees,hears, & feels you. Such a wonderful,beautiful soul!