Valeria Ruoso

Sole Practitioner

Location:

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Phone:

519-579-2440

Fax:

519-742-6973

Email:

Skills And Expertise:

• 20 years experience in Criminal and Family law in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region; extensive knowledge of the Criminal Code, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Rules of Evidence as well as family law legislation such as Children’s Law Reform Act, Family Law Act, and Child and Family Services Act.
• Well versed in managing both difficult clients and complex cases with a focus on resolving issues in an efficient, cost-effective manner
• Excellent analytical and judgment skills as well as listening skills with an objective and open mind to problem solving
• Strong working relationships with other members of the judicial system including the Judiciary, Crown Attorneys, other counsel, probation officers and other service providers
• Familiar with investigatory aspects of Criminal law
• To meeting all deadlines and to working within timeline schedules
• Approachable and reasonable
• Sole practitioner with full financial accountability for practice
• Member of the Bar of Ontario in good standing

Professional Experience:

June 9, 1997 – present Sole Practitioner
• Focus of practice is in Criminal Law as defence counsel and Family law regarding matters of divorce, custody, access, support issues as well as cases involving Family and Children’s Services
• F&CS counsel on per diem basis since January 2001
• Agent for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer since April 2004
• Member of the Legal Aid Appeals Committee (2010 – present)
• Member of the Legal Aid Panel for both criminal and family matter as well as duty counsel for both family and criminal courts; on panel to represent third party interests in Third Party Records Applications; on panel to represent inmates in federal institutions for disciplinary hearings
• Have represented clients in Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Appeal
• Was co-counsel on Christopher’s Law constitutional appeal
• Completed Phase I of Introduction to Collaborative Practice (Family Law)

1995 – 1996 Articled with Thomas L. Brock, Barrister & Solicitor
• Focus only in area of Criminal Law
• Called to the Bar of Ontario on February 21, 1997

Areas of Practice

  • 50% Criminal Law
  • 50% Family Law

Bar Admissions

  • Ontario, 1997

Education

  • Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, Ontario
    • LL.B. – 1995
    • Honors: Participated in the Criminal Law Intensive Programme
    • Honors: Research Assistant to Professor Sharon Williams
  • York University, Toronto
    • Honors: cum laude
    • Honors: With Honors
    • Honors: Focus of studies was on Canadian Political Studies and International Strategic Studies
    • Honors: Received York University Merit Award
    • Major: Interdisciplinary Double Major: Policitcal Science and Law and Society

Classes/Seminars

  • Presenter, The New Family Law Rules Roundtable II: Views from the Bench – presented by FLOWR: Family Lawyers of Waterloo Region, 2015 – Present
  • Presenter, Openness in Child Protection Proceedings: a Win-Win for Everyone – presented by FLOWR: Family Lawyers of Waterloo Region, 2015 – Present
  • Guest lecturer, Laurier University: Law 101, November 2013, 2014, 2015, June and November 2016
  • Guest lecturer, Hamilton Public Library – “Criminal Law – What you need to know” – November 14, 2016, drop in program
  • Criminal Law, Criminal Lawyer’s Association Spring Program: “What? Found Guilty! Now What?”, 2008 – Present

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Canadian Bar Association, 1997 – Present
  • Ontario Bar Association Council, 2013 – Present
  • Criminal Lawyer’s Association, 2000 – 2010
  • Criminal Lawyer’s Association of the Waterloo Region, Waterloo Law Association, 1997 – Present
  • Law Society of Upper Canada #39640N

Pro Bono Activities

  • Board of Directors for the John Howard Society, On hiring committee for new Executive Director, 2000 – 2011
  • Board of Directors for the Alzheimer Society of KW, 2000 – 2006
  • Parent Council Member at St. Benedict’s Catholic Secondary School and Our Lady of Fatima School, 2015 – present
  • Eastwood Collegiate Institute – Mock Trial Advocacy, 2015 & 2016
  • Cambridge Roadrunners Peewee B Girls Hockey Team – Trainer, 2016 – 2017

Ancillary Businesses

  • Photography

Languages

  • English
  • Italian