Title:  Junior Partner

Email:  lessard@cohensabsay.com

Phone:  416-364-7436, ext. 2456

Fax:  416-364-0083

Desiree Lessard received her B.A (Honours) degree from Queen's University in Political Studies (International Law and Canadian Constitutional Law) in 1997. She then attended Osgoode Hall for her law degree and graduated in 2000. While attending Osgoode Hall, Lessard was an active participant in the community legal aid clinic and provided legal services (CLASP) in the criminal law area. She placed a heavy emphasis on administrative and constitutional law, in particular, Worker's Compensation issues and those arising out of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Lessard also studied a broad range of legal areas including criminal, civil and corporate law while attending Osgoode. On March 26, 2002, Lessard was called to the Bar.

Articling with Howard C. Cohen, Lessard began her duties in August of 2000 as a litigation student lawyer, with particular emphasis in civil and criminal law. Her articles of clerkship involved heavy responsibilities and she had the opportunity to attend court very frequently and be exposed to complex litigation matters. Miss Lessard was subsequently brought on board as a junior partner in Cohen, Sabsay LLP, when Howard Cohen and Lorne Sabsay established the firm in 2001.