E. riaz@savards.ca
T. 416.789.7843 x 103
Riaz Sayani
Riaz is a partner at Savards LLP. His practice includes criminal, constitutional and regulatory law at the trial and appellate levels. He has experience defending a variety of offences including terrorism, drug trafficking, and murder. He routinely acts for inmates before the provincial and federal parole boards, and for complainants seeking non-custodial resolutions to criminal charges.
Before joining Savards LLP, Riaz worked for two of Canada’s leading criminal defence firms and clerked at the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Riaz graduated as Bronze Medallist from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, where he received several awards for his achievements in criminal law. Riaz has a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) degree from McMaster University, where he was valedictorian of his class.
Riaz believes in using the law as a tool to fight for social justice. This passion originated during his years working in Hamilton’s youth shelters, transitional housing complexes, group homes, and youth centres, where he saw first-hand how racialized, migrant, and poor communities are criminalized. He regularly represents progressive activists who have engaged in disobedience, and provides legal advice to organizations about the criminal law implications of organizing.
Riaz is currently a member of the Law Union of Ontario and Criminal Lawyers’ Association.