Emre grew up in Istanbul, Türkiye, and graduated from Üsküdar American Academy. He made the decision to move to Vancouver and continue his studies at the University of British Columbia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts with honours in History and International Relations. He then went on to attend the Peter A. Allard School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor. Spending the entirety of his early adulthood in Vancouver, the city quickly became his home.
Emre’s inspiration to pursue the legal field came from two influential figures. Franz Kafka, who inspired him to help others navigate the complexities of the law, and an Italian Philosopher Giorgio Agamben, who motivated him to hold sovereign power accountable.
He began his legal career at a small law firm that let him explore multiple fields working in civil litigation, wills and estates, family law, and immigration law. While he gained valuable experience across all of those fields, he knew immigration law was where his heart was.
Now, Emre works as a Partner and Immigration Lawyer at Slayen Immigration Law, where he finds fulfillment in knowing his work makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives. He is guided by the principle that “once understood in the context of the narratives that give it meaning, law becomes not merely a system of rules to be observed, but a world in which we live.” He carries out this principle by listening carefully to his client’s stories, amplifying their narratives, and approaching law as something shaped by interpretation, responsibility, and human consequence. He works alongside a brilliant team that cares deeply about their clients and about good advocacy, colleagues he genuinely considers his friends.
If you see Emre in the office, make sure to ask him about his most recent trip to New York!
Pavilion Fun Facts Questions:
Q.What is your favourite drink?
Whisk(e)y, neat. My current local favourite is the Wheated Rye Whisky from the Sons of Vancouver Distillery.
What is your guilty pleasure song?
Elevator Operator by Electric Callboy. If you know, you know.
Do you have a travel recommendation?
La Conner in Washington, US. Lovely small town with great food and artists.
Do you have a favourite book or film?
I can never have just one favourite. I’ve been reading The Melancholy of Resistance by Laszlo Krasznahorkai lately, and I have been enjoying it immensely. For film, I haven’t seen a better film in 2026 than 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, though Project Hail Mary is a close second.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy reading, watching movies, working out, writing, and spending time with my family — essentially rotating between philosophy, cinema, people I love, and the occasional effort to remain physically functional.
Do you have a neighbourhood business you’d recommend?
Dirty Apron, hands down. Great sandwiches and soups.
