Call me now to schedule your initial consultation: 613.203.4874
Services
CONSULTATION SERVICES
Tell me the facts and your impressions of your situation. I will explain how the law applies, provide you with professional recommendations, and suggest next steps. I can help you make the most of our meeting by sending you information in advance, and providing a written summary afterwards. You can opt for my same-day phone Express Consultation Service for urgent matters.
Fees: flat fee to be quoted in advance.
NEGOTIATION SERVICES
You may find the legal system to be a confusing and intimidating minefield, which it is to most people. But by negotiating on your behalf, I ensure you receive all your legal protections. Even more, as a skilled negotiator, I navigate encounters with police and prosecution so you can avoid charges, or have charges withdrawn or reduced.
Fees: fees to be quoted in advance; payment plans available.
LEGAL DEFENCE
If you are summoned to court, you'll benefit from my advocacy skills. Having litigated extensively both as a defence lawyer and as a crown prosecutor, I have unique insight to help you to get a successful result in your case.
Fees: fees to be quoted in advance; payment plans available.
About
Lisa Christian
Defence Lawyer, B.A. LL.B. Ontario
I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Carleton University in Political Science, with a minor in Economics, in 1982, followed by a Law Degree (LL.B., also known now as J.D.) from the University of Ottawa in 1985. After having articled (apprenticed) for experienced criminal lawyers in Ottawa, I was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1987. I work with my clients in both official languages.
For many years I had a busy practise doing exclusively criminal defence work. Later, I founded and operated the first Ottawa criminal law legal research and writing business, with an emphasis on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I then went on to be a prosecutor in Ottawa for the Ministry of the Attorney General, and I have worked in civil litigation at a large national firm. My passion is to work for individuals, as I do currently, and for most of my career I have offered legal services privately. I am proud to maintain my independence from other institutions. In addition to defence work, crown work, and being a professional legal researcher and writer, I have practiced administrative law and appeared before many tribunals for matters such as immigration, landlord - tenant, and mental health. When it intersects with criminal law, I have represented clients in their family law matters, including estates litigation. I have appeared on quasi-criminal matters in provincial offences court, and defended against business investigations and investigations by governing bodies against various professionals such as doctors, nurses, and real estate agents.
My specialised yet varied background over three decades is particularly useful when your criminal matters are related to other legal problems, as is often the case. My practise also includes representing people who may not be facing charges or investigations but who just need advice from a criminal law expert about the criminal justice system. Victims and witnesses have retained me for advice as they go through the criminal justice system. Legal institutions have appreciated my ability to develop and deliver legal information workshops; I have presented as a guest lecturer at the University of Ottawa law school, for the Canadian Bar Association, and to the Ottawa Association of Law Clerks. My clients are regular people, often older, many of whom have no criminal records, who find themselves in situations that could affect their employment, mobility, reputation, education or liberty. Any time that you find yourself in a difficult legal situation - call me - I have the expertise to personally handle files of every complexity.