Roshni Gopaul

Called to the Bar in Ontario in 2018

I was born on the beautiful volcanic island of Mauritius, located off the coast of South Africa, east of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean. It was a former French Colony ((1715–1810) and formerly known as Isle de France (French Island).  It was a British Colony from 1810 to 1968.  Mauritius obtained its independence on March 12, 1968.

I moved to Canada from Mauritius in 2001.  A high-school trip to the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto, and a suggestion by my law teacher in high-school convinced me that I wanted to become a criminal defence lawyer. I wanted to protect the vulnerable. Power imbalance in the community frustrates me and I feel that sometimes, the criminal justice system is weighed against the individual defendant.   I wanted to work to re-establish the balance between the state and the people.

Determined to become a criminal defence lawyer, I moved to England to study law after high school. I completed my LL.B. and post graduate diploma in legal practice in England and returned to Canada to be able to help Ontarians with their legal issues.

I am aware that lawyers are known to be intimidating, and I work hard to break this stereotype.   I work hard to be accessible to my clients.

I articled with a personal injury litigation practice and worked in a real estate and wills and estates firm.  In February 2021, I started practising family law and criminal law.  I enjoy criminal law and enjoy defending my clients’ rights under the Charter and Criminal Code.

I understand the significance of being charged with an offence under the Criminal Code.  I understand that it can turn your whole life upside down.   I take pride in being able to take some of the stress away from you while protecting your rights.

I speak and understand multiple languages, including English, French, Hindi, Creole and Mauritian Bhojpuri.