FAQs
You offer services in several practice areas. Are you dedicated and knowledgeable enough in each area?
The answer is a resounding YES! I am a sole practitioner. I choose to operate my own practice because I have control over the types of retainers I accept. I enjoy variety but I am also careful not to engage in any retainers in which I have little or no interest. My practice areas provide me with the variety and balance I enjoy. I work as hard on a criminal case as I do on a family case and, similarly, I make diligent efforts to draft proper court documents, wills, powers of attorney and so on. I will provide a vigorous defence and pursue child support just as passionately. I take great pleasure in taking on tough problems and finding innovative solutions in the best interests of my clients, whether that means negotiating with counsel or advocating in court.
Do you accept Legal Aid Ontario certificates?
I no longer accept legal aid certificates. I did accept legal aid certificates for most of my career, but it is my opinion that I can best serve my clients when my hands are not tied to tariff rates.
I will work to establish mutually agreeable payment plans for clients of meagre means. This means that even if you have been denied legal aid coverage but you are a low income-earner, you may still be able to retain me. When you are faced with daunting problems, family and friends may be able to assist you with your legal fees. Don’t be shy to approach family members and friends for assistance.
If you are eligible for legal aid coverage, you can still find a good lawyer to assist you. Click here to enter the Legal Aid Ontario site.
What is your fee schedule?
Each case is different so use the fee schedule as a general example only. Your case may require more or less money to be completed, depending on the stage of the proceeding, the complexity of your case, the number of witnesses and documents, whether expert evidence is necessary (e.g., DNA, toxicology, fingerprints, gunshot residue, etc.), where your case is (e.g., Brampton vs. Huntsville) and the types of expenses incurred on the file (expert fees, travel and mileage to out-of-town courts), couriers, process serving fees, and so on.
Click here to view our current retainer fee schedule for various cases.
What are some of your accomplishments as a lawyer?
I consider my greatest accomplishments those things that I was able to achieve that few thought were possible. Getting a serious charge withdrawn because of a careless investigation or lack of evidence, convincing a judge to award several years of child support arrears, and winning a trial where the witnesses had motive to fabricate evidence are just a few examples of what I have been able to accomplish.
I will not back down from a tough case. I will not yield to an opposing lawyer. I will do all that I can to work efficiently and serve my clients’ best interests. I will take time to carefully review and study the facts of a case to try to see every angle and every potential solution. I try to separate fact from fiction and reason from emotion. I am here to serve my clients. If I can repeatedly serve clients to their satisfaction, then I consider that an accomplishment.
Do you prefer a particular court jurisdiction?
I enjoy a great variety of cases. It makes things more interesting. I don’t have a preference for appearing in one court location over another. Brampton is the location of my law office. However, I travel all over Ontario for criminal cases, as long as my client is prepared to pay for the costs of the travel.
I accept family law, small claims court and other non-criminal cases for the Brampton courthouse only. The reason for the difference is that the two areas of law have different scheduling systems and it makes it difficult to schedule various types of cases all over Ontario.
Is your office wheelchair accessible?
Assuming the elevator is in functioning order, my office is wheelchair accessible. There are also designated parking spots for use with valid parking permits.