Pilar is a dual regulated lawyer in Quebec and Alberta. She serves clients in French, English and Spanish. She is passionate about refugee law and migrant rights. With over 13 years of experience working in various government roles (Federal and Provincial), Pilar has a proven track-record in serving vulnerable persons.

Pilar is a compassionate and a dedicated advocate for her clients. She has volunteered in Montreal with Maison Flora Tristan, a shelter for women victims of domestic violence, as president of the Board of Directors of CPE La Bergerie and as an interpreter for Latin American Judges attending a conference in Montréal, Québec, on Human Rights and the Rule of Law.

After relocating to Calgary, Alberta, Pilar remained dedicated and committed to assisting newcomers and refugees. She volunteered her time at the Calgary Women’s Centre as an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor, and as an Interpreter and Translator to the ‘Calgary Immigrant Aid Society’ serving women victims of gender-based violence and immigrants. She regularly offers free immigration consultations to francophone newcomers that contact AJEFA.

As an immigrant to Canada from Chile, Pilar possesses extensive knowledge of international geopolitical dynamics and diverse cultures. This expertise allows her to effectively engage with clients from various cultural backgrounds and understand their unique lived experiences. Clients from Africa, Asia, South and Central America and the Middle East have benefited from Pilar’s extraordinary dedication and compassionate work, which she applies in a trauma-informed lens.  

Pilar appears regularly before the Immigration and Refugee Board to represent asylum seekers at the Refugee Protection Division and the Refugee Appeal Division. She also has extensive experience preparing applications and representing clients at the ‘Human Rights Tribunal’, a specialized tribunal that adjudicates complaints of discrimination and harassment. 

Pilar is grateful to Canadians who welcomed her and her parents as a child refugee from Chile and wishes to help newcomers experience the benevolence and generosity of Canada’s multicultural society.

In her free time, Pilar loves spending time with her children and grandchildren, going on road trips to the Rocky Mountains and discovering Canada’s diversity and beautiful scenery.

Main areas of practice:

• Immigration
• Human rights
• Wills & Estates

Education:

• UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTRÉAL Bachelor of Law (LLB), 1990
• UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTRÉAL Certificate International Commerce 1999

Nigar brings a solid academic foundation and a deep passion for advancing justice and human rights. With diverse legal experience and education across Canada, the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, she offers a global perspective on every file. Her work is grounded in human dignity, fairness, and client-centred advocacy.

She currently serves as a Canadian law lecturer for international lawyers in Edmonton, teaching Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Criminal Law, Professional Responsibility, and the Foundations of Canadian Law. She also holds a legal position at a Canadian non-profit engaged in global humanitarian work. Previously, she was a tenured law lecturer at Salahaddin University Law School, one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in Iraq teaching Administrative Law, Public International Law, International Organizations, and Legal Research and Writing. She also acted as legal counsel and rapporteur, supporting women in crisis at the Law School’s Legal Clinic at Salahaddin University.

Nigar is an International Member at Amnesty International for over a decade, where she actively participates in campaigning, advocating, reporting and raising awareness in the field of human rights, including migration rights, refugee rights, gender-based persecution, victims of torture and prisoners of conscience.

Nigar co-authored a published a legal book on family law and law reform. She has written and published several legal research papers and continues to write in the field of human rights, constitutional law, administrative law, international law, criminal law, tort law, and property law. Her work and studies have earned her numerous scholarships, awards, and recognitions for excellence.

She is known for her positive, helpful attitude and approaches every legal matter with foresight, analytical precision, and a commitment to delivering exceptional work. Her global experience enables her to connect with people from all backgrounds with empathy, professionalism, and tact—ensuring client trust and satisfaction.

Outside her legal work, Nigar cares for a diverse collection of rare plants and, as a visual artist, enjoys exploring parallel worlds through her art.

Education
In addition to her Bachelor in Law with Highest Distinction, Nigar’s legal education includes:

1. Master of Laws (LL.M.), Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Canada, 2024
2. Master of Laws (LL.M.), Pennsylvania State University Law School, USA, 2013
3. PREP (Alberta Bar Admission), Canada, 2025
4. NCA Certificate of Qualification (CQ), Federation of Law Societies of Canada, 2024
5. Fellow, United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme, The Hague, Netherlands, 2015
6. Certificate in Public International Law, The Hague Academy of International Law, Netherlands, 2015
7. Certificate in International Humanitarian Law, American Red Cross and Arizona State University Law School, USA, 2012

Memberships

1. Member, Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Branch
   – Member, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee
2. International Member, Amnesty International (2015 – Present)

Awards, Scholarships & Recognitions

• Recipient of the Global Change Leaders Scholarship by the Government of Canada for COADY International Institute at St. Francis Xavier University, 2017
• Recipient of several prestigious awards for outstanding performance in teaching law and legal research from the Minister of Higher Education, the President of Salahaddin University, and the Dean of the Law School of Salahaddin University, 2014–2018
• Awarded the United Nations Scholarship to attend the Hague Academy for International Law, 2015
• Awarded the United Nations International Law Fellowship, among 21 chosen from thousands of global applicants, 2015
• Received the HCDP Academic Excellence Scholarship for LL.M., Ministry of Higher Education of Kurdistan Region, 2011
• Graduated with Highest Distinction in Bachelor in Law, Salahaddin University Law School, 2010
• Awarded the Prime Minister’s Hewa Scholarship for distinguished students, Office of the Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region, 2008 and 2009
• Recipient of the Law School’s Distinguished Student Scholarship for three consecutive years during her Bachelor in Law program, Salahaddin University, 2008, 2009 and 2010

Recipient of the law school’s legal research competition conference award, Salahaddin University Law School, 2009