Career Connections 2025: The Many Faces of Law

Carl Alphonse is the founder and a U.S. & Canadian immigration lawyer at Alphonse Latham LLP, specializing in business and family immigration cases. Fluent in French, English, and Haitian Creole, Carl offers comprehensive representation to clients from diverse backgrounds. With nearly a decade of experience in immigration law, he has assisted individuals—including employees, refugees, students, families, entrepreneurs, and investors—and businesses, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small startups. Carl is admitted to the bars of New York and Ontario and is recognized as a Foreign Legal Consultant in Ontario. Throughout his career, he has honed his skills at top-tier Toronto immigration law firms and the only Francophone Legal Aid Clinic in Toronto. His impressive track record includes over 1,000 successful U.S. and Canadian immigration applications. He has appeared before the Federal Court of Canada, the Refugee Tribunal of Canada, the Refugee Appeal Tribunal of Canada, and the Immigration Appeal Tribunal. Carl has been recognized for his contributions to the legal profession with several prestigious awards. In October 2024, he received the Young Lawyer Award from the Canadian Black Lawyers Association, and in June 2024, he was honored with the Young Professional Award from the Club Canadien de Toronto. Carl is deeply committed to educating and informing the public about immigration matters, regularly sharing his expertise through media appearances on platforms such as CBC and ChoqFM. Additionally, he has conducted more than 30 legal education sessions in schools and communities across the Greater Toronto Area. Carl is also actively involved in community service and leadership. He serves as the Executive Secretary of the Rotary Club of Brampton and as the Secretary for the Canada Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Dedicated to providing personalized and effective legal solutions, Carl is passionate about helping clients achieve their immigration goals while contributing positively to the legal profession and the community.

Roula Eatrides was appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) in September 2019. Ms. Eatrides joined the IRB in 2018 as Deputy Chairperson of the Immigration Division (ID). Previously, she was the Deputy Superintendent for Operations and Corporate Services at the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy. Ms. Eatrides has also served as Executive Director and General Counsel at the Federal Court and as Registrar of the Tax Court of Canada. Prior to joining the Public Service, Ms. Eatrides practiced law at Osler and Stikeman Elliott and was a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa's Common Law Program for several years. Ms. Eatrides is a member of the Ontario Bar and holds an undergraduate degree in Economics, a Bachelor of Laws Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Administration.

Mediator, Workplace Investigator and Litigation Lawyer who started his practice, Frechette Mediation in January 2021, Jean-Michel helps parties resolve their disputes in mediation or is immersed within a workplace investigation. Jean-Michel is a fully bilingual Ottawa native who has been litigating insurance, commercial, employment and construction disputes across Canada over the past decade. He was called to the Ontario and B.C. bars in 2013. Jean-Michel has successfully represented clients before provincial courts across the country, the Federal Court, the B.C. Court of Appeal and administrative tribunals. As a litigator with over 10 years of experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in litigation, he understands litigants’ concerns and what is weighing on the minds of those involved. He is sensitive to clients’ concerns and takes the time to establish a connection. He is quick to appreciate the circumstances of each case, which enables him to come up with efficient and cost-effective solutions to satisfy clients’ expectations.  

Lyndra has excellent knowledge of the entertainment industry and is committed to properly informing and supporting her clients at every stage of their career. She has been practicing since 2013 and represents clients in music, television, film, radio, publishing, performing arts, fashion and visual arts. Lyndra is also an experienced adjudicator, having spent 6 years adjudicating matters at Tribunals Ontario. She has conducted over 3000 case conferences, hundreds of procedural motions and has over 30 reported decisions. With a background in litigation and dispute resolution, she is dedicated to assisting parties resolve their conflicts amicably. Passionate about the arts, Lyndra is very keen to serve the artistic community. Lyndra enjoys sharing her knowledge and is regularly invited to present at professional development sessions and workshops. Lyndra practices Canada-wide under the National Mobility Agreement. She is fully bilingual and represents clients in both official languages.