Prasanna Balasundaram, director of Downtown Legal Services, a community legal clinic and clinical education program operated by the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law, been named a Migrant and Refugee Justice Champion by the Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA).
CASSA recognizes South Asian leaders during South Asian Heritage month who are helping shape a more inclusive and just society for all. CASSA is a registered non-profit facilitating the empowerment of South Asians in Canada.
An advocate for marginalized communities, Balasundaram specializes in immigration and refugee litigation, constitutional challenges and national security matters. Balasundaram has appeared before the courts on law reform/test case litigation, including constitutional challenges to the Safe Third Country Agreement and other interventions.
Balasundaram is an accomplished litigator specializing in immigration and refugee litigation, constitutional challenges and national security matters. He has appeared at all levels of the federal courts on important test case litigation, including a constitutional challenge to the Safe Third Country Agreement. Additionally, he serves as an independent Special Advocate within the Programs Branch of Department of Justice Canada, working to ensure a fair process in national security matters under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
Balasundaram is the recipient of the Association for Canadian Clinical Legal Education’s (ACCLE) Cirillo Award and U of T’s Chancellor’s Leadership Award (Distinguished Leader) and Joan E. Foley Quality of Student Experience Award for his contributions to clinical legal education.
“By safeguarding the rights of the most vulnerable, Prasanna is leading the way in reforming the law and uplifting communities,” said University Professor Jutta Brunnée, dean of the Faculty of Law. “We congratulate Prasanna on this well-deserved recognition of his steadfast commitment to justice.”
