Engel & Associates: Criminal Defence Lawyers in Ottawa

If you have been charged with criminal offence, you need aggressive lawyers ready to help you protect your rights and reclaim your life and reputation.


Criminal defence lawyers, Bruce Engel and Elena Davies, have represented individuals and businesses charged with hundreds of different offences throughout Canada for more than two decades. From the start of a criminal investigation to the close of a trial, we will take a balanced and forceful approach for your defence. We have the experience and knowledge to effectively navigate the constantly changing justice system in Canada.

Bruce Engel J.D.

Since 1991, Bruce Engel has been dedicated to defending his clients’ rights in criminal court.

“I know that when clients come to me, their liberty, their reputation, and years of their lives are on the line.” Engel thrives on the challenge of defending his clients’ rights no matter what the criminal charge.

Throughout Mr. Engel’s years of experience, he has built an enviable reputation among the Crowns and judges for his tenacity, detailed knowledge of the law, and fair dealing. When he takes these qualities into court or a plea bargain, his voice is heard and respected-to the benefit of his client’s cause.

Mr. Engel values his clients and takes the time to carefully present their options in plain language so that there are no surprises. Armed with the knowledge of what is ahead, Mr. Engel’s clients put their trust in his expertise to carry their case to a positive outcome.

Mr. Engel now has countless wins under his belt at several levels of court, but after 23 years of practice, he’s still driven by the same need to help people that inspired him at law school. “I still want to do the best I can for my client. I take pride in what I do, and I want to do it well.”

Areas of Practice: Criminal Defence
Member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)

Elena Davies

Elena Davies is an associate with the firm Engel and Bruce & Associates. Elena received her LL.B. from the University of Ottawa in 2010, focusing her studies in the area of criminal law. Elena began her Common Law degree at the University of Ottawa having received the Professional Training Scholarship. During her legal studies she also won the Justice Gilles Létourneau and Col. Michel Drapeau Prize for the highest mark in Canadian Military Law.

In 2010, Elena was selected to compete on behalf of the University of Ottawa in the Arnup Cup, an annual provincial criminal trial advocacy competition. After placing second in Ontario, she competed at the Sopinka Cup, the national criminal trial advocacy competition finals. Prior to law school, she received her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Law from Carleton University in 2007 with Highest Honours. Upon receiving this degree, Elena was awarded the University Senate Medal for outstanding academic achievement.

Elena began with the firm in 2005 while completing a co-op placement. Elena summered with the firm each year after that until she completed her articles with the firm. In 2011, Elena was called to the bar and officially joined the firm as an associate.

Areas of Practice: Criminal Defence

Kevin Weinstein

Kevin Weinstein is an associate at Engel and Bruce & Associates practicing criminal and quasi-criminal litigation. He represents clients charged with a wide range of offences throughout Eastern Ontario.

Throughout law school, Kevin focused his studies on criminal law and developed a particular interest in wrongful convictions. Kevin worked in the University of Ottawa’s Conviction Review Project for two years helping people pursue their wrongful conviction claims. He also worked at the Department of Justice in the Criminal Conviction Review Group.

Kevin was born and raised in Montreal. He attended McGill University for his undergraduate studies and later moved to Ottawa to attend law school at the University of Ottawa. Kevin joined Engel & Associates as an articling student in 2016 and remained with the firm as an associate after his call to the Bar of Ontario in 2017.

Areas of Practice: Criminal Defence
Kevin is a member of the Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa

Nadia Mian

Nadia Mian is an associate with Engel & Associates. She was born and raised in the greater Toronto area. She graduated with honours from the University of Toronto for her undergraduate studies, and later moved to Australia to attend law school at Bond University. During her studies, she worked with a local criminal defence firm in Queensland. She also competed in several moot competitions, most notably, the International Sports Moot, which she conducted in French, and came in second place against Paris.

After receiving her Juris Doctorate, Nadia returned to Toronto where she articled with criminal defence lawyer, Robb Macdonald. She joined Engel & Associates as an associate after her call to the bar in 2018.

Nadia has had the opportunity to assist experienced counsel on a variety of criminal matters, including murders, frauds, assaults, sexual assaults, break and enters, thefts, drug related charges, DUIs etc. Nadia has assisted in matters in both the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice.

Areas of Practice: Criminal Defence
Nadia is a member of the Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa (DCAO), Criminal Law Association (CLA), and of the County of Carleton Law Association (CCLA)