Edwardh Ghadiyali Law
2 lawyers · Established 2021 · Waterloo Region
One of 105 law firms listed in Kitchener, and one of 27 handling Criminal Defence.
Accepts Legal Aid
Free consultation
Virtual appointments
Accepts Legal AidFree consultationVirtual appointmentsAbout Edwardh Ghadiyali Law
Edwardh Ghadiyali Law is a criminal defence firm in Kitchener, Ontario, and it practises criminal law only. The two lawyers who run it, Mel Edwardh and Alefia Ghadiyali, take on the full range of criminal charges: assault, sexual offences, drug charges, fraud, theft, driving offences and breach charges, plus provincial offences like traffic and workplace matters. The office is at 130 Lancaster Street East, just northeast of downtown Kitchener, and the firm works across the Waterloo region, the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, Oshawa and Ontario's Central East region.
A few things shape the day to day. The firm offers services in more than eight languages, among them English, Swahili, Gujarati, Hindi, Spanish and Urdu, with French, Marathi and Arabic spoken at a working level. Alefia Ghadiyali, a co-founder, holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa and was called to the Ontario bar in 2021, with earlier work on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls inquiries and with the United Nations on housing rights. Rather than billing by the hour, the firm quotes a block fee up front, offers payment plans, and accepts Legal Aid Ontario certificates. When it helps, the lawyers can appear in court on a client's behalf through a designation of counsel, so a person doesn't have to miss work for every appearance.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Practises criminal law exclusively, founded by criminal defence lawyers Mel Edwardh and Alefia Ghadiyali.
- Co-founder Alefia Ghadiyali holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa and was called to the Ontario bar in 2021.
- Members of the Law Society of Ontario, the Waterloo Region Law Association, the Durham Region Law Association, and Women in Criminal and Civil Defence.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Virtual appointments
By appointment
In-person servicesFees & payment
Free consultation
Legal aidLawyers 2
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 2021 · median 5 years in practice 1 of 2 lawyers
- Law schools
- University of Ottawa 1 of 2 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
The office sits on Lancaster Street East, a mix of older houses and small commercial buildings just northeast of the downtown Kitchener core. That location fits the work: Waterloo Region's criminal matters are heard a short distance away at the courthouse on Frederick Street, and the firm notes that its lawyers are frequently at court in the mornings. In-person meetings are by appointment booked ahead, and the office accepts collect calls, which matters for a criminal practice whose clients are sometimes reaching out from custody.
Frequently asked questions
- I've just been charged with a criminal offence. How soon should I contact Edwardh Ghadiyali Law?
- The firm advises anyone who's been charged or is under investigation to contact a criminal lawyer right away, so a lawyer can explain your rights and next steps. You can reach the office at 226-499-3118, with after 2:00 pm noted as the best time to call, and the firm accepts collect calls. Email is welcomed for a first contact and messages get a response within 48 hours.
- What kinds of criminal charges does the firm handle?
- Edwardh Ghadiyali Law practises criminal law only and covers the full range, including assault and offences against the person, sexual offences, drug charges, property, fraud and theft, domestic and youth offences, breach charges and driving offences. It also defends provincial offences such as traffic, trespassing, workplace and environmental matters.
- Can the firm help me in a language other than English?
- Yes. The firm offers services in more than eight languages. It lists fluency in English, Swahili, Gujarati, Hindi, Spanish and Urdu, along with French, Marathi and Arabic spoken at a working level.
- How does the firm charge, and what if I can't afford a lawyer?
- Instead of billing by the hour, the firm gives a block fee quote for the expected total plus tax, and it can set up a payment plan. It accepts Legal Aid Ontario certificates for people who qualify, and you can check Legal Aid eligibility at 1-800-668-8258. For someone representing themselves who just wants a legal opinion or a disclosure review, the firm charges $350 an hour.
- Do I have to be in court for every appearance myself?
- Not always. Where it makes sense, the lawyers can attend court on your behalf using a designation of counsel document, which the firm says helps clients avoid missing work for routine appearances.
- Where is the office and what areas does the firm serve?
- The office is at 130 Lancaster Street East, Kitchener, Ontario N2H 1N1, with in-person visits by appointment. The firm serves the Waterloo region, the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, Oshawa and Ontario's Central East region.
Where to find them
130 Lancaster Street East, Kitchener, Ontario N2H 1N1 · 226-499-3118
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