Our Story & The People Behind It

We've been helping folks navigate the complex world of immigration and international business law since 2012. Here's how we got here and who makes it all happen.

How Blackthorn Odyssey Came to Be

Every firm has a beginning. Ours started with a simple belief that immigration law doesn't have to be scary or confusing.

2012

The Beginning

Started in a tiny office downtown with just two lawyers and a dream. We'd both worked at bigger firms and felt like clients were getting lost in the shuffle. Figured there had to be a better way to do things – turns out, there was.

2015

Expanding Our Reach

Hit our 500th successful visa application. Added corporate law services after clients kept asking for help setting up their businesses in Canada. Moved to bigger digs on Bloor Street – finally had room for a proper conference table.

2018

Building the Team

Brought on three more lawyers and our first paralegals. Started specializing in international trade agreements because, honestly, that's where a lot of our clients needed the most help. Got recognized by Toronto Life as one of the city's up-and-coming law practices.

2021

Adapting & Growing

Pandemic changed everything, right? We went fully remote for a bit, then hybrid. Actually made us better at serving clients across Canada and internationally. Crossed 2,000 successful cases and added IP protection services to the roster.

2025

Where We Are Now

Team of twelve and counting. We've helped families reunite, entrepreneurs launch their Canadian dreams, and businesses expand across borders. Still in that same Bloor Street office – just with better coffee now.

Meet The Team

The folks who actually do the work. No fancy corporate headshots here – just real people who genuinely care about your case.

Team Member
Sarah Chen

Senior Partner, Immigration Law

Sarah Chen

Senior Partner, Immigration Law

Been practicing immigration law for 15 years. Came to Canada as an immigrant myself, so yeah, I get it. Specializes in family sponsorships and skilled worker applications. Speaks Mandarin and Cantonese fluently.

Team Member
Marcus Okafor

Partner, Corporate & International Trade

Marcus Okafor

Partner, Corporate & International Trade

Co-founded the firm back in '12. Spent five years at a big corporate firm before striking out on our own. Loves working with startups and entrepreneurs. Also the guy who makes terrible dad jokes during team meetings.

Team Member
Elena Rodriguez

Associate, Employment & Labour Law

Elena Rodriguez

Associate, Employment & Labour Law

Joined us in 2019 and hasn't looked back. Handles employment contracts, workplace disputes, and labour compliance. Trilingual – English, Spanish, and French. Previously worked with the Ontario Labour Relations Board.

Team Member
Raj Patel

Associate, Intellectual Property

Raj Patel

Associate, Intellectual Property

Our IP guru. Has an engineering background which makes him perfect for tech patents and trademarks. Newest addition to the team but already making waves. Coffee addict and definitely the one cracking the worst puns after Marcus.

Team Member
Jennifer Walsh

Senior Paralegal

Jennifer Walsh

Senior Paralegal

The real MVP who keeps everything running. Been with us since 2016 and knows where every single document is. If you need something done yesterday, Jen's your person. Handles most of the immigration paperwork prep.

Team Member
David Kim

Paralegal, Corporate Law

David Kim

Paralegal, Corporate Law

Our corporate documentation wizard. Assists with business formations, contract prep, and compliance filings. Fresh out of his paralegal program when he joined in 2022, but you wouldn't know it from his work ethic.

Team Member
Amara Johnson

Client Relations Manager

Amara Johnson

Client Relations Manager

First point of contact for most clients. Has this amazing ability to calm down even the most stressed-out folks. Coordinates consultations, follows up on cases, and basically makes sure nobody falls through the cracks.

Team Member
Thomas Nguyen

Office Administrator

Thomas Nguyen

Office Administrator

Keeps the office running like clockwork. Orders supplies, manages schedules, fixes the printer when it inevitably jams. Also responsible for the awesome coffee situation we've got going on now. Total lifesaver.

What Our Clients Say

Don't just take our word for it. Here's what folks we've helped have to say.

"Sarah helped me bring my parents to Canada. The whole process seemed impossible at first, but she walked us through every step. Took about 18 months, but they're here now and that's what matters. Can't recommend her enough."

Michael Zhang
Family Sponsorship Client

"Marcus handled our startup's incorporation and helped us navigate the mess of international contracts with our suppliers in Asia. Super knowledgeable and explains things in plain English, which is rare for lawyers honestly."

Priya Mehta
Tech Startup Founder

"Got my work permit approved way faster than I expected. The whole team was responsive, professional, and actually seemed to care about my situation. They kept me updated throughout and made a stressful process way less scary."

Carlos Fernandez
Work Permit Client

"Elena sorted out a messy employment contract situation for us. She caught stuff we would've totally missed and saved us from potential headaches down the road. Worth every penny and then some."

David Morrison
Small Business Owner

"Raj helped us protect our software IP when we were expanding into the Canadian market. Really understood the tech side of things which made communication so much easier. Great experience