Alawi Law
1 lawyer · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 455 handling Criminal Defence.
Accepts Legal Aid
Virtual appointmentsAccepts Legal AidVirtual appointmentsAbout Alawi Law
Alawi Law is a Toronto based criminal defence practice founded by Ayderus Alawi, who serves as Principal and represents clients across Ontario's Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice system in cases involving assault, drug charges, conspiracy, and homicide. The practice is listed on the Legal Aid Ontario roster and accepts certificates for criminal matters, including youth, mental health, extremely serious, and Gladue related cases. Alawi holds a Juris Doctor and a Master of Law with a specialization in Criminal Law and Procedure, both from Osgoode Hall Law School, along with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from York University.
Before focusing on criminal defence alone under the Alawi Law name, the practice operated as Ayderus Alawi Criminal Defence and also took on civil litigation and immigration matters with a second lawyer. Early in the career that led to founding the firm, Alawi articled with Rusonik, O'Connor, Robbins, Ross, Gorham and Angelini, the successor firm to Pinkofskys, then joined David G. Bayliss Professional Corporation. Alawi has also taught criminal law at Toronto Metropolitan University's Lincoln Alexander School of Law and is currently completing an MBA at the university's Ted Rogers School of Management, with an interest in sports business and law.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- The practice was founded by Ayderus Alawi, who articled with Rusonik, O'Connor, Robbins, Ross, Gorham and Angelini, the successor firm to Pinkofskys, before joining David G. Bayliss Professional Corporation.
- Alawi holds a Juris Doctor and a Master of Law in Criminal Law and Procedure from Osgoode Hall Law School, and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from York University.
- The firm previously operated as Ayderus Alawi Criminal Defence, then continued under the Alawi Law name with a focus on criminal defence.
- Alawi Law is on the Legal Aid Ontario roster and accepts legal aid certificates for criminal, youth, mental health, extremely serious, and Gladue related matters.
In the community
- Alawi serves on the board of directors of the Black Legal Action Centre and is a member of the Anti-Racism Advisory Panel to the Toronto Police Services Board.
- Alawi has acted as an intervener for the Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association at a coroner's inquest.
- Alawi leads community Know Your Rights workshops across Toronto covering interactions with police, and has taught criminal law at Toronto Metropolitan University's Lincoln Alexander School of Law.
- Alawi co-founded Beyond the Lyrics Youth Resource Centre, a youth led organization that addresses access to resources, education, and justice for young people.
- Before practising law, Alawi worked as a youth worker in a Toronto District School Board suspension program, advocating in court for youth who had negative interactions with police and Toronto Community Housing security officers.
- Alawi offers summary legal advice to community members overrepresented in the criminal justice system and has researched sentencing disparities affecting Black accused individuals.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Virtual appointments
By appointment
In-person servicesFees & payment
Legal aidWho handles what
The neighbourhood
Alawi Law's Toronto office is in Suite 2500 of 1 Dundas Street West, a high rise office building at Yonge and Dundas that dates to 1977. The same building also houses York University's Osgoode Professional Development Centre, part of the Osgoode Hall Law School network where Alawi completed a Juris Doctor and a Master of Law in Criminal Law and Procedure.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of criminal cases does Alawi Law handle?
- The firm takes on assault, drug, conspiracy, and homicide matters, along with other serious criminal charges, representing clients in the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice.
- Does Alawi Law accept Legal Aid Ontario certificates?
- Yes. Alawi Law is on the Legal Aid Ontario roster and accepts certificates for criminal matters, including youth, mental health, extremely serious, and Gladue related cases.
- Where is Alawi Law's office located?
- The office is at Suite 2500, 1 Dundas Street West, in downtown Toronto.
- Who is the lawyer at Alawi Law?
- Ayderus Alawi is the firm's founder and Principal, holding a Juris Doctor and a Master of Law in Criminal Law and Procedure from Osgoode Hall Law School.
- Does Alawi Law handle Gladue related sentencing matters?
- Yes. Alawi Law is listed with Legal Aid Ontario for Gladue related matters, and Alawi has researched sentencing disparities affecting Black accused individuals.
- Does Alawi Law offer information about your rights when dealing with police?
- Alawi leads community Know Your Rights workshops across Toronto that cover interactions with police.
Where to find them
2500-1 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z3 · 416-551-4449
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Family LawListing compiled from the firm’s public website in July 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗