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 Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice, and The Ontario Court of Appeal. Melody defends clients charged with many serious offences including murder, human trafficking and robbery. She 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 Criminal Lawyers’ Association Women’s Committee. In her spare time, Melody helps produce the CLA’s Canada’s Court Podcast, and has spoken at legal conferences on various issues in the law.
