About Nadia

Nadia Liva, Hons. B.A., LL.B., was called to the Ontario Bar in 1992. She began practicing in the areas of criminal and immigration refugee law, as well as professional regulatory work.  As her practice grew, Nadia focused on criminal law, representing individuals charged with offences ranging from theft to murder, appearing in courts across the province of Ontario.  In the past decade, Nadia has balanced her criminal practice with an ever-growing professional regulatory practice, with an emphasis on representing lawyers and paralegals facing regulatory and disciplinary investigations and proceedings.

In 2002, Nadia took a four month sabbatical from her practice to take on the role of Assistant Crown Attorney in Scarborough. She has acted as a Per Diem Crown Attorney in Toronto and Newmarket.  Nadia has represented persons found to be “not criminally responsible” or unfit before the Ontario Review Board where she has advocated for their reintegration from a hospital setting into the community.  Drawing on her experience on both sides of the criminal courtroom and in recognition of the important roles played by complainants in the criminal justice system, Nadia has provided thoughtful legal advice, empathy and support to complainants while ensuring their voices are heard.

In all of her roles, in courtrooms and before tribunals, Nadia is regarded as a trusted advocate who carefully listens, spends time with her clients and creates a plan to address the immediate legal problem and any underlying issues that may have contributed to the issues faced by her clients.

Throughout her years in practice, Nadia has recognized the functional intersections between her practice and other professions, including forensic psychiatry and pathology, accounting and bookkeeping and a variety of mental health professionals.  These collaborations benefit not only her clients, but they also assist the Court and professional regulators.  Nadia has extended her collaborative approach to include working with other highly regarded and experienced counsel where appropriate, to provide clients with multi-faceted representation.  These experiences have led to the evolution of her holistic approach to practice in the best interest of her clients.

Nadia has appeared as both a lecturer and instructor at numerous continuing legal education programs held by the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Criminal Lawyers’ Association and the Advocates Society.  Nadia has spoken at educational programs offered by the secondary school boards of Toronto and York Region, and was an instructor and lecturer at the Bar Admission Course.  As an Articling Principle and Mentor, Nadia is dedicated to supporting students and young lawyers as they enter the legal profession.

If you wish to view or print a copy of Nadia’s resume, click here.