YOUR TEAM

Firm Owner and Senior Lawyer

She was called to the Ontario bar in 2002.  She attended law school at McGill University. She won the Gale Cup and represented Canada at the Commonwealth Mooting Competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. While in law school, she volunteered at the Human Rights Commission in Lahore, Pakistan. She articled at the prominent litigation firm Cavalluzzo Hayes Shilton McIntyre and Cornish. 

Lydia has practiced criminal defence law for 22 years. She appears in the Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court of Justice and Court of Appeal for Ontario. She also appears before the Ontario Review Board.

She is an experienced trial lawyer who has defended hundreds of clients, including successfully defending clients charged with Murder, Sexual Assault, Aggravated Assault, Criminal Negligence Causing Death, Armed Robbery and Firearm offences.

Lydia also takes on civil litigation matters in the area of police negligence.

Lydia is a member of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association. 

Associate Lawyer 

She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph. She double majored in Criminal Justice & Public Policy and Political Science, graduating with Honours. Elysia’s interest in the criminal justice system and dedication to social justice led her to pursue her Juris Doctor at Osgoode Hall Law School, where she focused her studies almost exclusively on criminal law.

While in law school, Elysia was a Division Leader, and then a Senior Division Leader, at Osgoode’s community legal clinic, where she provided legal services to low-income individuals charged with criminal offences. In her final year of law school, Elysia was selected as a caseworker at Osgoode’s Innocence Project where she worked on cases of suspected wrongful convictions, seeking proof of their innocence. 

After graduating from law school in 2022, Elysia completed her articles at Greenspan Partners LLP in Toronto. She joined Riva Law in 2024, shortly after being called to the Bar of Ontario. 

Elysia understands that facing a criminal charge is a stressful and life-altering experience. She works to protect the rights, liberty, and dignity of those accused of crimes, and is committed to fiercely and compassionately defending each one of her clients.

Executive Assistant

Gloria is often the first point of contact for clients at Riva Law.  

Gloria grew up surrounded by family and friends working in the legal profession.  Even as a child, Gloria hoped to one day work in a law firm. 

She enjoys helping people and is committed to providing excellent service to our clients. 

Gloria speaks Spanish fluently.