Firm Directory

Sal Caramanna graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1995 and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1997. Since that time, he has practiced exclusively in the area of criminal law as defence counsel and has become a leading member of the criminal defence bar in the Toronto area. He has a particular interest in defending high-stakes charges and complex cases, and has represented clients charged with First Degree Murder, Manslaughter, Participating in a Criminal Organization, Conspiracy to Traffic in Controlled Drugs, Trafficking and Importing Narcotics, Firearms offences, Corporate and Commercial Fraud, Sexual Assault, Aggravated Assault, and Criminal Negligence Causing Death.

Mr. Caramanna is a fearless and innovative advocate. He has conducted hundreds of trials in all levels of trial courts in Ontario, and in virtually every court in south-central Ontario. He has had particular success in arguing cases before juries. Many cases he has defended have been high profile and covered extensively by the media.

Mr. Caramanna is a member of the Criminal Lawyers Association, the Toronto Lawyers Association  and the Peel Lawyers Association. As well, Mr. Caramanna has reviewed and is currently involved in the review of cases for the Innocence Canada as part of their International Review Committee.

Prior to law school, Mr. Caramanna graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto in 1992 where he obtained a Specialist degree in Nutritional Sciences, one of the pre-medical school programmes at U of T. His background in science has proven particularly useful in defending cases involving forensic evidence and scientific testing.

• Phone: (416) 924-5969 ext. 225
• Email: scaramanna@cflaw.ca

Matthew Friedberg has been a criminal defence lawyer his entire career. He has successfully represented hundreds of clients charged with every type of criminal offence at every level of court in Ontario*. Mr. Friedberg regularly represents individuals charged with extremely serious offences, and many of his cases have been the subject of media attention. He has had particular success defending persons charged with Homicide, Sexual Assault, Domestic Assault, Drug and Firearms offences. Every case is handled with the same skill and determination with the sole aim being to achieve the most positive result possible for the client. He enjoys a reputation as a leading defence lawyer in the Toronto area.

Achievements and Education

Mr. Friedberg graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1995 after being admitted into that institution at the age of 20. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1997. He worked in another criminal defence law firm in Toronto as an associate before starting Caramanna, Friedberg LLP in 2002. He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Criminal Lawyers' Association, and the Toronto Lawyers' Association. He has a history of participation with the Canadian Bar Association and Law Society of Ontario mentor program and regularly mentors junior lawyers in the area of criminal law.

Awards

Prior to being called to the Bar, Mr. Friedberg graduated from York University with a degree in Philosophy, and was the recipient of numerous academic awards throughout his educational career, including graduating with Distinction (York, 1996), Dean's Honour Roll (York, 1996), Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt Prize in Labour Law (Osgoode, 1995), McGill Dean's List (McGill, 1992), McGill Faculty Scholar (McGill 1991), James McGill Scholarship (McGill, 1991).

Mr Friedberg is currently serving on the Communications Committee for the Criminal Lawyers' Association.

• Phone: (416) 924-5969 ext. 225
• Email: mfriedberg@cflaw.ca

Anthony Bugo graduated from Nipissing University in 2000 and Osgoode Hall Law School in 2003. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 2004. He is a criminal defence lawyer whose practice is restricted to defending trial matters in the Greater Toronto Area before the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice. The majority of his work is focused on representing people charged with Indictable offences who are facing penitentiary sentences as a result of their charges.

He has represented persons charged with Murder, Attempt Murder, Manslaughter, Firearm Offences, Robbery,Fraud, Sexual Offences, Drug Trafficking and Importing, Domestic Violence, and offences against the administration of justice. He regularly takes on difficult cases and provides representation to those who find themselves in some of the most challenging of circumstances.

Anthony has a particular interest in the defence of Sexual Assault matters, firearm and drug cases, search warrant litigation, serious crimes of violence, and other criminal constitutional litigation.

He is a member of the Criminal Lawyers Association and the Toronto Lawyers’; Association.

If you are facing allegations of serious criminal conduct, feel free to contact Anthony Bugo for a consultation.

• Phone: (416) 924-5969 ext. 226
• Email: abugo@cflaw.ca

James has built his practice over the last decade in the areas of criminal and quasi-criminal defence, and youth advocacy.  He has extensive experience defending individuals at all levels of court in Ontario for a broad range of matters under the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, with a particular interest in cases involving drug trafficking and weapons offences and Charter litigation.  James is a committed advocate for his clients both in and out of the courtroom.  He is meticulous in his work and uncompromising in his dedication to the best interests of each client, regardless of the charges or the complexities of the case.

James earned his undergraduate degree in History and Political Science from McGill University in 2003 and a Master’s degree in History from the University of Windsor in 2006, with a particular focus on the history of the prison system in North America.  James received his Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles in 2008.  While at law school, James had the unique privilege of working at the LA County District Attorney’s Office where he gained invaluable experience in courtroom advocacy while awakening to the stark realities of the criminal justice system.

James was called to the Ontario Bar in 2010 and the New York State Bar in 2009.  He remains an active member of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association.

• Phone: (416) 924-5969
• Email: jfrost@cflaw.ca

Lilit Izakelian graduated from York University in 2007 with a Specialized Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. In 2011, Lilit Izakelian received her Bachelors of Law from the University of Windsor. While studying at the University of Windsor, Lilit Izakelian volunteered at the Community Legal Aid Clinic which provided legal assistance to members of the community of low income status and students at the University of Windsor.

Lilit Izakelian completed her articles at a criminal defence firm in Toronto. Lilit Izakelian was called to the Bar in 2012. Shortly thereafter, she worked as an associate lawyer at another Criminal Defence firm in Toronto before joining Caramanna Friedberg LLP in 2016. 

Lilit Izakelian has conducted trials both at the Ontario Court of Justice level as well as the Superior Court of Justice level. Lilit Izakelian has experience in exclusively practicing criminal law with a focus placed on drinking and driving offences, drug offences, firearm offences, and assaults.

Lilit Izakelian is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and the Criminal Lawyers' Association.

• Phone: (416) 924-5969 ext. 227
• Email: lizakelian@cflaw.ca

Melody is a lawyer practicing solely in criminal defence and regulatory offences. She has a keen interest in protecting her clients' rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Her passion for defending her clients’ rights drives her to work tirelessly on their cases. She strongly believes that no matter what charges any of her clients face, they are still entitled to the principles of justice and freedoms as guaranteed by our Constitution.  

Melody obtained her Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto where she majored in the study of Criminology. She then pursued law school at Queen Mary, University of London, in the United Kingdom, where she wrote her thesis on the adaptability and legal changes to the right to a fair trial, the right to privacy, and the right to freedom of expression. While at law school, Melody volunteered her time to assist with free legal clinics, and researched international criminal law for Lawyers Without Borders.

Melody went on to complete her articles at a busy downtown Toronto law firm in 2014, and has been a criminal defence lawyer since her call to the bar. Melody has appeared in both the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice, and has conducted jury trials, preliminary hearings, summary conviction appeals and pre-trial motions. Melody has experience defending clients charged with many serious offences including murder, human trafficking and robbery. Melody also represents inmates for both provincial and federal parole hearings.

Melody is currently the criminal law columnist for LawNow magazine, where she continues to advocate for the rights of those charged with criminal offences. She has also been published as an author in the Advocate Daily where she wrote passionately about the privacy interests of our citizens in Canadian airports. Melody is also a member of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association, and enjoys her role on the board of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association Recent Call Committee.

• Phone: (416) 924-5969 ext. 234
• Email: mizadi@cflaw.ca

• Phone: 416-924-5969
• Email: info@cflaw.ca

Since becoming a lawyer in 2006, John Fennel has been successfully representing clients before juries and judges.  He started in Massachusetts, litigating both trials and appeals in state court.  In 2015 he was called in Ontario and continues to produce results for clients in trials and appeals.   

John is particularly interested in cases involving expert evidence.  Relying on his academic background, he knows how to demonstrate the lack of reliability in the evidence of those testifying for the prison industrial complex.  He has successfully excluded breathalyzers from evidence and had juries agree with him in rejecting predictions about future recidivism.  He also argued the appellate case that, based on scientific evidence about how memory actually works, resulted in sweeping changes to the jury instructions for eyewitness identifications in Massachusetts.  Erroneous expert evidence and mistaken identifications are the leading causes of wrongful convictions, and John is ready to challenge both.

John earned his B.S. in physics in 1993 from James Madison University.  In 1999 he earned a PhD. In philosophy form the University of Georgia.  After a few years teaching philosophy at university, John went to law school at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a J.D. in 2006.  With his extensive experience in academia, he is ready to assist student facing allegations of academic dishonesty.  He has published on forensic mental health issues as well as search and seizure law.  

• Phone: 416-924-5969
• Email: info@cflaw.ca

Diana Vasilescu obtained her law degree from McGill University Faculty of Law in 2012 and is a member of the Law Societies of Ontario and Alberta.

Diana has appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice throughout various courts in the province. She is representing clients in relation to child support and spousal support claims, access and custody claims, property division and adoptions.

Diana is dedicated to assisting her clients by providing effective, reliable and affordable legal services and has experience in negotiating, mediating and litigating complex family law issues.

In addition to her extensive experience in family law, Diana also practices estate litigation and assists clients with dependent support claims or wills disputes.

Diana is a member of the Law Societies of Ontario and Alberta, the Family Law Association, the Advocates’ Society, Toronto Lawyers’ Association, Women’s Law Association of Ontario, Ontario Bar Association and Canadian Bar Association.

Diana is fluent in French, Spanish and Romanian and can assist clients in these languages.

• Phone: (416) 924-5969 ext. 228
• Email: info@cflaw.ca