Edmonton, Alberta – Ehab ‘Eric’ Shawar, a Canadian immigration lawyer based in Edmonton, has been appointed King’s Counsel in recognition of his contributions to the legal profession and his work in complex immigration matters.
The appointment was publicly announced on December 31, 2025, and formally conferred by letters patent at an official ceremony held at the Edmonton Law Courts Building on April 23, 2026.
Mr. Shawar is the first Canadian of Palestinian heritage in Alberta to be appointed King’s Counsel, marking a notable milestone in the province’s legal community.
King’s Counsel is one of the highest honours conferred on a lawyer in Canada. It is reserved for members of the bar who have demonstrated exceptional advocacy, professional integrity, and leadership in complex legal matters. The designation recognizes not only past achievement, but a sustained ability to handle high-stakes cases where legal judgment, credibility, and advocacy are critical to the outcome.
Called to the Alberta Bar in 2007, Mr. Shawar has practiced immigration law for nearly two decades, with a focus on cases involving inadmissibility, refused applications, and situations where individuals face the loss of status or removal from Canada.
He regularly appears before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Immigration Appeal Division) and the Federal Court of Canada, representing clients in complex and high-stakes proceedings.
Reflecting on the appointment, Mr. Shawar noted that the designation underscores the importance of careful advocacy in cases where the outcome has significant consequences for individuals and their families.
“Many of the cases I work on involve individuals whose future in Canada is uncertain. These are situations that require not only legal analysis, but thoughtful and responsible advocacy,” he said.
Mr. Shawar continues to focus his practice on representing foreign nationals in complex immigration matters, including those seeking permanent residence in circumstances where standard pathways are no longer available.