Herscovitch Wyszomierska Jeethan Criminal Lawyers
3 lawyers · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 455 handling Criminal Defence.
About Herscovitch Wyszomierska Jeethan Criminal Lawyers
Herscovitch Wyszomierska Jeethan Criminal Lawyers, known as HWJ Law, is a Toronto criminal defence practice made up of lawyers practicing in association from a Richmond Street West office in the city's downtown core. Ariel Herscovitch founded the firm in 2018 after working as a senior lawyer at another Toronto criminal defence firm. Magdalena Wyszomierska also describes founding the practice, after years at a separate Toronto criminal defence firm. The third named lawyer, Sharon Jeethan, has worked in criminal law for over two decades. A paralegal, Nika Shanshashvili, rounds out the team.
The firm's counsel handle trial advocacy and appeals across a range of serious criminal charges, including murder, manslaughter, conspiracy, firearms and drug trafficking, fraud, robbery, sexual assault, and dangerous offender hearings. They've argued appeals before the Court of Appeal for Ontario and brought applications for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. Sharon Jeethan's practice also extends to the Ontario Review Board and the Consent and Capacity Board, representing individuals at those bodies. Magdalena Wyszomierska, who is fluent in Polish, sits on the Ontario Bar Association's Criminal Justice Section executive.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Ariel Herscovitch founded the firm in 2018 after working as a senior lawyer at another Toronto criminal defence firm.
- Herscovitch earned an LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2008, taking part in the Criminal Intensive Program there, and was called to the Ontario bar in 2009.
- Magdalena Wyszomierska describes founding the practice after years at a separate Toronto criminal defence firm.
- Wyszomierska is an executive member of the Ontario Bar Association's Criminal Justice Section and a member of the Criminal Lawyers' Association and the Toronto Lawyers Association.
- In 2022, Wyszomierska spoke on a Criminal Lawyers' Association Fall Conference panel titled "Costs as a Remedy for Crown Conduct."
- Sharon Jeethan has worked in criminal law for over two decades and is a member of the Criminal Lawyers' Association and the Toronto Lawyers Association.
In the community
- Ariel Herscovitch is a member of the Criminal Lawyers' Association and mentors young lawyers through the association.
- Herscovitch has been an instructor for Osgoode Professional Development's annual Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessibleLawyers 3
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 2009 · median 17 years in practice 1 of 3 lawyers
- Law schools
- Osgoode Hall Law School 1 of 3 lawyers
- Languages on the roster
- Polish
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
HWJ Law's office is on Richmond Street West in Toronto's downtown core, a short walk from Osgoode Hall at 130 Queen Street West, the seat of the Court of Appeal for Ontario. That's the same court where the firm's lawyers have argued appeals on charges including murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, firearms and drug offences, sexual assault, and dangerous offender applications. The stretch of streets around University Avenue and Queen Street holds much of Toronto's court infrastructure, which puts the firm within walking distance of a court it regularly appears before.
Frequently asked questions
- Does HWJ Law handle serious charges like murder or firearms offences?
- Yes. The firm's counsel handle trial advocacy for a range of serious criminal charges, including murder, manslaughter, firearms offences, drug trafficking, sexual assault, and dangerous offender hearings.
- Can HWJ Law represent me on a criminal appeal?
- Yes. The firm's lawyers have argued appeals before the Court of Appeal for Ontario and brought applications for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.
- What if I've been found not criminally responsible or unfit to stand trial?
- Sharon Jeethan's practice includes representing individuals at the Ontario Review Board and the Consent and Capacity Board.
- Is anyone at the firm able to help in Polish?
- Magdalena Wyszomierska is fluent in Polish.
- How big is HWJ Law and where is it located?
- The firm has three lawyers practicing in association, Ariel Herscovitch, Magdalena Wyszomierska, and Sharon Jeethan, along with a paralegal, from an office at 121 Richmond Street West, Suite 303, in downtown Toronto.
- How do I reach HWJ Law?
- The firm can be reached by phone at 416.744.2123 (toll free 1.844.744.2123), by email at info@hwjlaw.ca, or at its Richmond Street West office in downtown Toronto, Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where to find them
121 Richmond Street West, Suite 303, Toronto, ON M5H 2K1 · 416-744-2123
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