Background and Education
Ashish “Ash” Duvadie grew up in Nepal, the United States and Canada. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of North Dakota and Minnesota State University. During those years, he worked with an insurance litigation team for a multinational insurer in the American Midwest.
After earning his Bachelor of Science degree, Ash joined a cutting-edge technology and urban planning firm in Boston. Later, he took a year off to travel through Asia and Europe. He then immigrated to Canada and studied law at the University of Ottawa. Since his call to the bar in 2009, Ash has practised in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta.
Criminal Trial Defence
Criminal trial defence is the core of Ash’s practice. He defends people facing charges in the Ontario Court of Justice and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Many of these cases arise under the Criminal Code of Canada. His work also covers the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Beyond these statutes, he has defended clients under the Copyright Act, Income Tax Act and Customs Act. He has also handled charges under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
His cases include aggravated assault, sexual offences, impaired driving, domestic assault, fraud and drug offences. From the bail hearing to the trial, he builds each defence around the evidence. Ash also accepts Legal Aid Ontario certificates for eligible clients.
Criminal Appeals
Criminal appeals are a natural extension of Ash’s trial work. He argues appeals before the Court of Appeal for Ontario. On appeal, he looks for legal errors that may have affected a verdict or sentence. These can include misapplied law, unfair procedure, Charter breaches and unreasonable verdicts. Because he runs trials himself, Ash knows where a case can go wrong. Appeal deadlines are short, so early advice matters.
Immigration Appeals
Ash brings the same appellate skill to immigration appeals. He represents clients before the Immigration Appeal Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board. He also appears before the Federal Court of Canada. In addition, he acts at refugee hearings, refugee appeals and deportation hearings. As an immigrant to Canada himself, Ash finds this work deeply fulfilling. Today, many of his former clients live and work happily in Canada.
Serving Eastern Ontario
Ash defends clients in courthouses across Eastern Ontario. These include Ottawa, Cornwall, Brockville, Perth, Pembroke, L’Orignal and Kingston. He also represents Gatineau and other Quebec residents facing charges in Ontario. For appeals, he appears at the Court of Appeal for Ontario in Toronto. You can see every location on our areas we serve page.
Other Practice Areas
Ash also assists with immigration applications, such as sponsorships, work permits and permanent residence. In addition, he handles select family law matters.
A Client-Focused Practice
Strong personal bonds with clients have fuelled the success of DUVADIE Law. Ash invests fully in pursuing each client’s interests. His commitment to fearless advocacy and attentive service forms the foundation of the firm’s client-focused philosophy.
Community and Languages
Ash belongs to the Criminal Lawyers’ Association, the Ottawa Carleton Defence Association and the County of Carleton Law Association. He is also proudly multilingual, serving clients in English, Nepalese and Hindi. As a result, he feels a duty to help people facing language barriers in Canada’s legal system. For this reason, he gives regular public talks to Ottawa’s immigrant communities about their legal rights.
Beyond the Practice
Outside the office, Ash spends time with family and friends along the eastern seaboard of the United States and Canada. He is also an avid cyclist. In addition, he enjoys family camping trips in Canada’s national and provincial parks.
Criminal Law Results
R v A.D.
Facts: A.D. got into an altercation with two strangers in the ByWard Market. During the fight, he brandished a knife. Meanwhile, one stranger grabbed a nearby construction pylon and used it as a weapon. That stranger ended up with two stab wounds. Police charged A.D. with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. They also charged him with breaching an undertaking not to possess a weapon. At trial, DUVADIE Law persuaded the judge that the Crown had not proven the stabbing was intentional. The defence also argued that self-defence applied because of the pylon attack.
Outcome: The court acquitted A.D. of all charges.
R v Restaurant
Facts: After an anonymous tip, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) investigated an Ottawa restaurant. The tip claimed the restaurant had employed an unauthorized foreign worker. CBSA agents obtained a search warrant and raided the premises. They seized the restaurant’s computers along with all payroll and employee records. Authorities then charged the restaurant under s. 124(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. During settlement talks, DUVADIE Law signalled a challenge to much of the seized evidence. Specifically, the firm planned to argue that the agents had exceeded the limits of the warrant. As a result, the Crown offered a favourable plea deal.
Outcome: The restaurant accepted the plea deal and paid a small fine.
R v B.D.
Facts: B.D. and her family worried that their sibling was in an abusive relationship. They travelled to Cornwall to persuade the sibling to return home. Once there, the family removed the sibling from the home and escorted them to their vehicle. Together, they then drove home. Meanwhile, someone called the police and reported a kidnapping. Police charged B.D. and her family with kidnapping and unlawful confinement. At trial, the sibling’s statements suggested they had not consented to entering the car. However, other witnesses testified that the sibling appeared to enter the car willingly.
Outcome: The court acquitted B.D. and her family of all charges.
R v Z.E.
Facts: Z.E. was walking in the ByWard Market when a police officer stopped him. The officer questioned him about his whereabouts over the previous hour. Shortly after, the officer arrested him. Police later charged Z.E. with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. According to police, he matched the description of a youth seen assaulting someone nearby. His ethnicity and clothing colour resembled those of the described person. After the arrest, police also found a hose key in his pocket. At trial, DUVADIE Law argued that the Crown had not proven identity beyond a reasonable doubt. Through cross-examination, the firm exposed inconsistencies in the witness testimony. Those inconsistencies cast doubt on the accuracy of the description.
Outcome: The court acquitted Z.E. of all charges.
Note: We have changed client identities in these summaries to protect solicitor-client confidentiality. Each result depended on the unique facts of its case. A similar case does not guarantee a similar outcome.
Facing a criminal charge, or appealing a conviction or immigration decision? Call DUVADIE Law at 613-422-1155 or toll-free at 1-855-422-1155. You can also text us at 613-701-0505. Early advice protects your options, so please reach out as soon as possible.
Page last updated Oct 22, 2026
