Our Legal Team

Lawyer & Paralegals for Criminal, Provincial Offences & Traffic Defence

Meet the advocates who stand between you and the consequences of a criminal charge or serious traffic matter. Our team combines courtroom experience, practical judgment and disciplined preparation across Ontario.

Experience You Can Trust

35+

Years Combined Legal Experience

Years Court Reporting Experience

Licensed Legal Professionals

Shahbaz Vardag

Criminal Defence Lawyer

Zealous advocate & innovative driving-offence strategist

When your driving record and freedom are on the line, you need a lawyer who does not back down. Shahbaz brings relentless advocacy and meticulous preparation to criminal driving cases, turning legal exposure into opportunities for resolution.

Professional Background

                                Former paralegal with over 20 years focused on driving offences, now practising as a criminal
                                defence lawyer. Shahbaz is known for detailed disclosure review, legal research and court-ready
                                strategies in Ontario criminal courts.
                            

Areas of Focus

Impaired Driving
Over 80 / Blood Alcohol
Refusal / Fail to Provide
Dangerous Driving
Driving While Prohibited
Serious Highway Traffic Act Offences

Defence Approach

                                Every file is approached as if it may go to trial – scrutinizing police procedure,
                                Charter issues and the prosecution’s evidence to pursue reduced charges, withdrawals, or
                                acquittals where possible.
                            

Contact Shahbaz

📞 (416) 925-2400 ✉️ shahbaz@wedefendyou.ca

Carli Geist

Licensed Paralegal

Spitfire, bulldog advocate for clients & their pets

Carli is known for her energy, determination and hands-on advocacy in traffic, provincial offences and animal-law matters. She represents clients in Hamilton, Toronto and surrounding courts with a practical, detail-driven approach.

Professional Background

                                Graduate of the Trios College Paralegal Program in Hamilton, Carli trained directly under
                                Frank Alfano and has built a practice focused on courtroom advocacy, disclosure review and
                                client-centred solutions.
                            

Areas of Focus

Provincial Offences Defence
Traffic Tickets & Demerit Points
Stunt & Careless Driving
Animal Law / PAWS Act
Municipal & By-law Matters
POA Appeals & Resolutions

Animal Law Passion

                                Carli has a dedicated animal-law practice, defending pet owners facing PAWS Act and
                                Dangerous Dog allegations, and working to keep families and their animals together whenever
                                possible.
                            

Contact Carli

📞 (416) 925-2400 ✉️ carli@wedefendyou.ca

Sam Pazzano

Licensed Paralegal

Former Toronto Sun courts reporter – 26 years on the Justice Beat

Sam brings a rare blend of courtroom familiarity and legal training. After 26 years exclusively covering Ontario’s Justice Beat as a courts reporter, he now represents clients as a licensed paralegal with a deep understanding of how cases actually unfold.

Unique Background

                                Long-time Toronto Sun courts reporter, dubbed the “Michael Jordan of court reporting”
                                at a 2012 Ryerson panel. Recipient of the We Defend You Full Scholarship and graduate of
                                the Cestar College Paralegal Program.
                            

Legal Services

Highway Traffic Act Matters
Provincial Offences
Summary Criminal Cases
Traffic Violations Defence
Municipal & Regulatory Offences
Court Procedure & Process Guidance

Media & Communication Skills

                                Decades of courtroom reporting have given Sam strong communication skills, keen issue-spotting
                                instincts and a practical sense of how judges, Crowns and court staff operate day-to-day.
                            

Contact Sam Pazzano

📞 (416) 925-2400 ✉️ sam@wedefendyou.ca

Ready to Work with Our Team?

Whether you are facing a criminal charge, a serious traffic allegation or a regulatory prosecution, our lawyer and paralegals are ready to review your case and map out a defence strategy.

Free Consultation: (416) 925-2400 Email Our Team