Business Details
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Trusted Legal Representation in Oshawa
We are a dedicated group of Oshawa, Ontario-based legal professionals specializing in criminal defense, civil litigation, and personal injury law. Our firm combines decades of collective experience with a client-centered approach, prioritizing professional representation while maintaining personable and compassionate service. We advocate fiercely for clients' rights under The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, handling complex cases ranging from impaired driving charges to homicide defense and catastrophic personal injury claims. Our team includes former Crown attorneys and law enforcement professionals, providing unique insights into both prosecution and defense strategies.We emphasize transparency in communication, thorough case preparation, and innovative legal approaches grounded in current judicial precedents. Our reputation for excellence has been built through successful outcomes in high-stakes cases and consistent recognition from legal peers across Ontario. We serve clients facing life-altering challenges, including brain injuries, wrongful death claims, and long-term disability disputes, while maintaining accessibility through 24/7 emergency contact options. Our commitment extends beyond courtroom representation, offering guidance through post-case support and community legal education initiatives.
Services
Criminal Defense
Civil Litigation
Personal Injury
Wrongful Death Claims
Disability Appeals
Highlights and features
- We offer over 50 years of combined legal experience in criminal and civil law
- Our team includes former Crown attorneys and law enforcement professionals
- We provide 24/7 emergency legal consultation services
- We maintain a proven track record in complex, high-stakes litigation
- Our firm combines courtroom excellence with personalized client support
What people say
Saved my life job and family
Professional and compassionate representation
Thorough disclosure requests
Stress-free resolution process
Credit to our profession
Services
Criminal Defense
Our criminal defense practice handles serious charges including murder, drug offenses, and impaired driving. We protect clients' constitutional rights through aggressive courtroom advocacy and strategic defense planning. Our team's unique perspective combines former Crown attorney experience with law enforcement background to anticipate prosecution strategies and develop effective countermeasures.
Personal Injury
We represent clients with catastrophic injuries from accidents, including brain trauma and spinal cord damage. Our practice secures compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering through negotiated settlements or courtroom litigation. We handle motor vehicle, workplace, and public transit accident cases with proven success in complex claims.
Civil Litigation
Our civil litigation team manages disputes involving contractual disagreements, property damage, and insurance claims. We provide strategic representation in court proceedings while seeking cost-effective resolutions through mediation. The practice includes handling complex cases involving multiple parties and significant financial stakes across Ontario.
Wrongful Death Claims
We assist families pursuing justice for preventable fatalities through wrongful death litigation. Our compassionate approach combines legal expertise with emotional support while seeking compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional distress. We handle cases arising from accidents, medical negligence, and workplace incidents.
Disability Appeals
Our disability law practice challenges denied insurance claims and government benefit applications. We represent clients in appeals for long-term disability payments and accident benefits, leveraging legal expertise to navigate complex insurance policies and regulatory requirements for successful claim resolutions.
People
Bernard F. O'Brien
Founding Partner
Admitted to the bar in 1977 with a Harvard law masters, Bernie specializes in homicide defense and complex criminal cases. His 45+ year career includes numerous high-profile trials and appellate court appearances.
Thomas F. Balka
Founding Partner
With over 25 years of criminal defense experience, Tom focuses on murder cases and serious offenses. He previously led the Criminal Lawyers Association and Durham Law Association, maintaining a strong record in jury trials.
Sandip S. Khehra
Founding Partner
A former Toronto police officer and Crown attorney, Sandy brings unique perspective to criminal defense. Admitted in 2005, he handles complex prosecutions and defense cases with particular expertise in disclosure issues.
Justin A. Guile
Associate Lawyer
Admitted in 2009, Justin specializes in appellate work and complex legal arguments. His academic background includes Queen's University law school and honors degrees in history and political science from Ottawa University.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialize in?
We focus on criminal defense, personal injury claims, and civil litigation with particular expertise in homicide defense, catastrophic injury cases, and complex legal disputes.
How quickly can I get legal representation?
We offer emergency consultations 24/7 and typically schedule in-person meetings within 48 hours for urgent matters.
What makes your firm different from others?
Our team combines former Crown attorney experience with law enforcement background, providing unique strategic advantages in criminal defense cases.
Do you handle cases outside Oshawa?
We represent clients throughout Ontario including Durham Region, Greater Toronto Area, and provincial appellate courts.
How are legal fees structured?
We offer flexible fee arrangements including hourly rates, flat fees for specific services, and contingency options for personal injury cases.
Can you handle complex legal appeals?
Yes, our team has extensive appellate court experience with multiple successful appeals in criminal and civil matters.
Reviews (2)
Paul M.
Apr 16, 2021
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Tom Balka and his staff were wonderful to deal with. Our matter spanned over a year and a half and through it all, they were very professional. Most importantly, Tom is a great lawyer. He provided great council to us and literally saved our son from life altering false accusations and charges. Tom ripped apart the complainant story in his prep and during the trial. I would highly recommend Tom, Kayla, and the entire team. Thank you Tom for all you have done for our family. Very best,
Paul M.
Paul M.
Christine Gonzalez
Sep 09, 2019
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Staff are awesome. They go above and beyond to help you out. Answer questions and represent you if need.
