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Vanshika Dhawan
Lawyer & Advocate

Vanshika is the Principal Lawyer at Dhawan Law Office. Her practice focuses on criminal and sexual assault law in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. She is passionate about empowering people to better understand and navigate the legal system, no matter the circumstances that have led them to it. She represents both people accused of crimes and complainants, leveraging her experience on both sides of the criminal system to zealously advocate for her client. Her understanding that justice is not one size fits all informs her client-centred, personalized approach that allows her to creatively find solutions to legal problems.

Vanshika obtained her law degree from the University of Toronto, where she volunteered for Advocates for Injured Workers and helped to provide legal support for clients in need. Additionally, she assisted with a Supreme Court of Canada intervention as a student at the David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights. After graduating, Vanshika worked at litigation boutiques in downtown Toronto, where she honed the legal skills she now brings to her solo practice.

Vanshika’s compassion and empathy is evident in her commitment to her clients and her community. She serves as the Treasurer of the Board of the Management of The 519, a City of Toronto agency and community centre that serves the 2SLGBTQ+ community. She also acts as a Supervising Lawyer at Legal Information for Sexual Assault (LISA), a legal clinic at Western University, Faculty of Law that, with the support of law student volunteers, provides free confidential legal information about sexual assault.

In addition to client advocacy, Vanshika is dedicated to advocating for systemic and policy reform. She has over a decade of experience working in sexual assault prevention and response, particularly at the post-secondary level. Vanshika has also lent her expertise to policymakers, testifying at the Ontario Legislature to the Standing Committee for Justice Policy and the Special Committee on Intimate Partner Violence on legislative amendments to better serve victims of crime.

Vanshika is a member of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association and speaks Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, reading fiction, and being by the ocean.

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Services

Initial consultations are free. Fees are discussed up front and are tailored to the circumstances. Legal Aid Certificates are accepted and payment plans are also available.

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Media

“The fallout from the junior hockey trial” (Radio Guest), CBC Metro Morning with David Common (July 2025)

Co-Host of Diva Voce (Podcast, 2025)

“The legal defence of extreme intoxication is not inherently anti-feminist” (Op-Ed), The Globe and Mail (February 2022)

“The right to leave: People experiencing pregnancy loss deserve employee protections” (Author), THIS Magazine (January 2022)

“Does Thomas Chan belong in prison?” (Interviewed), Macleans (November 2020)

“No, Intoxication Is Not A Legitimate Defence For Sexual Assault In Ontario” (Op-Ed), CANADALAND (June 2020)

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Contact

Please email vanshika@dhawanlaw.ca for media inquiries, to connect, or for a free consultation.

Dhawan Law Office
800 Bathurst Street, Unit 404
Toronto ON, M5R 3M8

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