I was born in Poland in 1955. I spent my adolescent years in communist Poland, an experience which had a profound impact on me. My upbringing enabled me to realize that in Poland the only protection available to ordinary people was through a knowledge of the rules of law. I decided to study law and help people through fair representation and counseling.

During my studies at the Faculty of Law at Warsaw University (1974-1978) I became interested in international public law and international protection for human rights. These subjects became the focus of my dissertation, which I defended in 1978, obtaining my Masters Degree. Prior to that, in 1977, I received a certificate from the International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg, upon successful completion of a summer program.

After graduation, I was offered the position of assistant professor at the Institute of Public International Law, even though I had never been a member of the Communist Party in Poland; rather, I had achieved excellent academic standing and was actively involved in research at the Faculty. I further developed my knowledge of law by pursuing an academic career, enrolling in post-graduate studies at l’Institut Européen des Hautes Etudes Internationales in Nice, France, where I received a Diploma in June of 1981.

I returned to Poland with a solid background in the law of the European Community and the European Convention of Human Rights. I continued to teach at the Faculty of Law and concurrently articled at the Provincial and Supreme Court in Warsaw. In 1982 I completed a two-year period of articling (which I had started before going to Nice) to become a judge, by final examination in civil and criminal law, which I passed with excellent marks. This expertise helped me carry out my duties at the Institute of International Law, where I taught until June of 1986.

During that time, many members of my faculty lost their positions, and the atmosphere of openness and growth evaporated. A future existed in Poland only for those who supported a regime that had an absolute disregard for the law. My husband and I decided to immigrate to Canada.

In 1989 I began working for Czuma, Ritter, Barristers & Solicitors, as a consultant and legal assistant. I was responsible there for assistance in matters pertaining to persons detained for immigration reasons, and in the representation of refugee claimants before the Refugee Division and Immigration Board. I attended at detention centres, interviewed detainees, and assisted in the preparation of detention reviews, in relation to which I also represented the detainees, prepared refugee cases, interviewed claimants, conducted country-specific research, drafted submissions and translated documents, accumulating significant and invaluable experience in refugee and immigration cases, and excellent communication skills in English and French, in both of which I am fluent.

I attended conferences and courses organized by the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Refugee Lawyers’ Association, strengthening my knowledge of immigration law. In October of 2000, I obtained a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from York University.

In August of 2004 I completed with High Honours a one-year Immigration Practitioner program at Seneca College. The profession of immigration consultant has been regulated by the government since 2004, and now the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants grants membership to those who have demonstrated their knowledge and ability to advise, consult and represent people seeking Canadian immigration, and who have passed the Society's Knowledge and Ethics Test, as well as the Language Test, and have demonstrated their good character.

After passing all the exams I became a Full Member of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants, membership ID number M41425.

I was born during the Beatles and the Rolling Stones era. After completing studies in my native Poland I left for London to advance my education. London did not meet all of my expectations and after years spent on South Ealing I decided to leave for Canada, where I have been living since 1994. In January of 2001 I met Maria Krajewska. I has a vast experience in immigration matters, including refugee cases and appeals before the Federal Court. Presently, I hold the position of office manager, and oversee the everyday affairs of our office, including accounting matters. If you call us, you will likely speak to me first.

Areas of Practice: Criminal Law, Immigration Law, Civil Litigation
Additional Services: Notary Public

Milan assists our office in the most difficult immigration cases that require appeals before the Federal Court.