Our Services
We provide legal services in four areas. Each section explains how we can help, what to bring to your first consultation, and the usual steps in that kind of matter.
Immigration Law
Guidance and representation in Canadian immigration and refugee matters.
Immigration applications are detailed, and small mistakes can lead to refusals or delays. We assess your options, prepare complete applications and represent you before Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Immigration and Refugee Board.
How we can help
- Study permits and extensions
- Work permits, including open and spousal work permits
- Visitor visas and visitor records
- Spousal, common-law and family sponsorship
- Permanent residence and citizenship applications
- Refugee claims and hearings before the Immigration and Refugee Board
What to bring to your consultation
- Your passport and any current permits or visas
- All past letters from IRCC, including refusals
- Education and employment records
- For sponsorship, evidence of your relationship
- A list of your travel and addresses for the past 10 years
Lawyers licensed by the Law Society of Ontario are authorized to represent clients in Canadian immigration and refugee matters.
Typical steps for an application to IRCC
Eligibility review
We look at your goals and history and confirm which programs fit.
Gather documents
We give you a checklist and review every document for completeness.
Submit to IRCC
We prepare and file the application and act as your authorized representative.
Respond to requests
IRCC may ask for biometrics, medical exams, more documents or an interview.
Decision
IRCC approves or refuses. We explain the decision and any next options.
Every matter is different, and steps can overlap, repeat or be skipped. This is general information, not legal advice.
Family Law
Legal assistance in family-related disputes and proceedings.
Separation changes where you live, how you parent and how your finances work. We help you understand your rights and obligations under Ontario and federal family law, and work toward agreements that last.
How we can help
- Separation agreements
- Divorce, including uncontested divorce
- Decision-making responsibility and parenting time
- Child support and spousal support
- Division of property and the matrimonial home
- Cohabitation and marriage contracts
What to bring to your consultation
- Your date of marriage or cohabitation, and date of separation
- Your last three years of income tax returns
- A list of your assets and debts
- Any existing agreements or court orders
- Your children's names, ages and current schedule
If you or your children are in danger, call 911. Court orders for protection may be available on an urgent basis.
Typical path after a separation
Separation
You and your spouse begin living separate lives, sometimes under the same roof.
Financial disclosure
Both sides exchange income, property and debt information.
Negotiation or mediation
Parenting, support and property issues are worked out, with lawyers or a mediator.
Agreement or court
Terms go into a separation agreement. If you cannot agree, a court can decide.
Divorce
A divorce can be granted, usually after you have lived apart for one year.
Every matter is different, and steps can overlap, repeat or be skipped. This is general information, not legal advice.
Civil Litigation
Representation and assistance in civil disputes and litigation matters.
When a dispute cannot be resolved informally, the court process can feel slow and unfamiliar. We help you understand your position, try to resolve the dispute early, and represent you in court when needed.
How we can help
- Unpaid debts and contract disputes
- Small Claims Court matters (claims up to $50,000)
- Superior Court of Justice actions
- Landlord and tenant disputes
- Defending claims made against you
- Negotiated settlements and mediation
What to bring to your consultation
- Any contract, invoice or agreement involved
- Emails, texts and letters with the other side
- Any court documents you have been served with
- A short timeline of what happened
- Receipts or proof of your losses
Strict time limits apply to most claims in Ontario. In general, a claim must be started within two years of when you discovered it. Speak with a lawyer early.
Typical path of a civil dispute
Demand letter
We set out your claim and invite the other side to resolve it.
Claim and defence
If it does not settle, a claim is issued in Small Claims or Superior Court.
Exchange of evidence
Both sides share documents and, in Superior Court, answer questions under oath.
Settlement efforts
Settlement conferences or mediation, where many disputes resolve.
Hearing or trial
A judge hears the evidence and decides the matter.
Every matter is different, and steps can overlap, repeat or be skipped. This is general information, not legal advice.
Criminal Defence
Legal representation and guidance in criminal proceedings.
A criminal charge can affect your freedom, your job and your immigration status. We represent people charged with criminal and driving offences in Ontario courts, from the first call after an arrest through to resolution or trial.
How we can help
- Bail hearings and bail variations
- Assault, theft, fraud and mischief charges
- Impaired driving and other driving offences
- Disclosure review and Crown pre-trials
- Plea discussions, diversion and peace bonds
- Trials in the Ontario Court of Justice
What to bring to your consultation
- Your release papers, undertaking or appearance notice
- The date and location of your next court appearance
- Any bail or release conditions
- Names of anyone involved or who saw what happened
- Your immigration status, if you are not a citizen
If you have been arrested, you have the right to speak to a lawyer without delay. You may call us. Do not discuss your case with police before you get legal advice.
Typical path of a criminal charge in Ontario
Arrest or charge
You are arrested, or given a summons or appearance notice with a court date.
Bail, if held
If you are held, a hearing decides whether you are released and on what conditions.
Disclosure
The Crown provides its evidence. Your lawyer reviews it with you.
Pre-trial discussions
Your lawyer meets the Crown and a judge to discuss the case and possible resolutions.
Resolution or trial
The charge is withdrawn, resolved, or goes to trial for a decision.
Every matter is different, and steps can overlap, repeat or be skipped. This is general information, not legal advice.
Speak with a lawyer
Call our office, or send a short request and we will call you back to arrange an initial consultation.