Brian Eberdt, Principal and Founder

I began law school in Victoria, British Columbia in 2008. I started with an interest in criminal defence and graduated believing that there is no other type of law that mattered more or was more fascinating. I feel the same way today.

Immediately after law school, I began my career at the law firm of Lockyer Campbell Posner, where I worked alongside James Lockyer, champion of the wrongfully convicted and Order of Canada recipient; Philip Campbell, who is now sits as a judge at the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto; and Richard Posner, esteemed trial counsel and managing partner of Posner Craig Stein.

Since becoming a lawyer in 2012, I have represented clients in all types of matters before all levels of Court in Ontario and, on occasion, outside of the province as well. I am motivated by challenging files and have grown this law firm into a collaborative environment in which we bring together our diverse skillsets and backgrounds.

In 2019, I left Lockyer Campbell Posner to create BE Defended Professional Corporation, a law firm that strives for excellence in the level of service that we deliver to our clients. While I oversee the growth and management of the firm, I also maintain my own practice of criminal defence, regulatory discipline, and select civil litigation matters.

Throughout my career, I have continued to be involved in legal education and have acted as an instructor at the Toronto School of Management for their NCA Exam Preparation Program.

Megan andrews, Senior Associate

I am a seasoned criminal defence lawyer with over a decade of experience representing clients on charges ranging from simple assault to first-degree murder. I consider it a privilege to advocate for my clients and guide them through the complexities of the criminal justice system. I offer thorough and thoughtful representation to all my clients from the moment the arrest call comes in.

I have extensive experience with every stage of the criminal justice process, from arranging bail plans to running judge-alone or jury trials. I have secured acquittals for my clients at both the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice, on charges including sexual assault, domestic assault, human trafficking, and possession of a prohibited firearm. I have successfully exposed Charter violations by the police resulting in the exclusion of evidence central to the prosecution’s case.

I have a particular interest in representing youth clients, and an in-depth understanding of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. I welcome clients of all ages and backgrounds from across the Greater Toronto Area.

I graduated with Distinction from Queen’s University in 2010 and earned my J.D. from the University of Toronto in 2014. I realised early on that I wanted to use my law degree to help under-served people gain access to justice. To that end, I spent my first-year summer working with immigration and refugee lawyers at a speciality Legal Aid Ontario clinic in Toronto’s Church and Wellesley neighbourhood. I later began building my trial skills as a full-time student case worker at U of T’s Downtown Legal Services. After law school I articled at a high-volume criminal defence firm in Toronto, and I continued working in criminal defence once I was called to the bar in 2015. I spent several years running my own practice before joining BE Defended as a Senior Associate in 2025.

Mayleah Quenneville, SENIOR Associate

I was inspired to become a criminal defence lawyer in order to prevent wrongful convictions. I am a fearless advocate for my clients in both trials and appeals.

I represent individuals charged with both criminal and quasi-criminal offences. I prioritize building and maintaining positive relationships with my clients. I know that people who turn to criminal lawyers for assistance are often facing the most stressful experience of their lives and are trusting their lawyers to advocate on their behalf in a system that can be complex, confusing, and difficult to navigate. I work hard to live up to my clients’ trust and to understand their perspectives and priorities to provide the best advice and representation for their particular circumstances.

I regularly conducts trials in front of both the Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court and have succeeded in obtaining acquittals after trial for clients charged with homicide, drug trafficking, assaults, impaired operation, sexual assault and sexual interference, among others. I have advanced many pre-trial applications alleging breaches of my clients’ rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and have led a constitutional challenge to the Criminal Code and regulatory regime surrounding acceptable blood-THC levels while driving. In addition, I regularly negotiate excellent resolutions for my clients, often resulting in the withdrawal of my clients’ charges before a trial is even set.

I joined BE Defended Professional Corporation as a Senior Associate in September of 2025. Prior to joining the firm, I spent over nine years practicing criminal law in Toronto. I have represented clients in both trial and appellate courts in Ontario, in front of various administrative tribunals and regulatory bodies, and have argued in front of the Supreme Court of Canada.

I was called to the bar in 2016 after completing my articles in the Discipline Department at the Law Society of Ontario. I obtained my Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law in 2015, and my Bachelor of Arts, Honours degree from the University of Guelph in 2012.

MIGUEL WALTOO, ASSOCIATE

I am an associate at BE Defended Professional Corporation, with extensive frontline experience in the Ontario Court of Justice. Prior to my call to the bar, I worked as a Court and Client Representative (CCR) in the Toronto Region (10 Armoury Street and 2201 Finch), where I assisted thousands of accused persons at various stages of the criminal process. This experience provided me with a strong practical foundation in case management, bail proceedings, court operations, Charter protections, and the real-world impact of criminal charges.

I completed my legal studies at the University of York in the United Kingdom, where the curriculum is delivered through a rigorous problem-based learning (PBL) model. This approach required me to work through complex, realistic legal scenarios—identifying legal issues, conducting independent research, and developing practical solutions under time constraints. It closely mirrors the realities of legal practice and sharpened my analytical reasoning, oral advocacy, collaboration, and ability to manage files independently.

I also hold an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, where I specialized in Socio-Cultural Anthropology, graduated with high distinction, and worked as a research assistant. During my studies, I worked closely with homeless individuals and community-based initiatives, deepening my understanding of systemic inequality, social marginalization, and the structural factors that often intersect with criminal justice involvement. This perspective continues to inform my client-centred approach to defence work.

As an associate, I approach criminal defence with diligence, integrity, and a deep respect for client advocacy. I am known for my strong work ethic, meticulous preparation, and ability to remain composed in high-pressure courtroom environments. Having worked closely with duty counsel, Crown counsel, judges, justices of the peace, and other justice system participants, I have developed a practical understanding of how criminal matters progress from intake through to resolution, and I take pride in advancing my clients’ interests at every stage.

Driven by my own life experiences, I am particularly committed to advocating for individuals facing systemic disadvantage and significant power imbalances. I believe effective defence advocacy requires not only legal knowledge, but empathy, persistence, and principled decision-making.

I am committed to building a career in criminal defence grounded in fairness, accountability, and fearless advocacy.

Angelina Chen, Articling Student

I’m an articling student who is drawn to work that sits at the intersection of people, systems, and fairness. I’ve worked on matters ranging from criminal defence to refugee hearings and community-based legal clinics. I strive to make complicated processes feel understandable and human for clients. Before law school, I studied Ethics, Society and Law and Criminology at the University of Toronto and completed my J.D. at Osgoode Hall Law School. Along the way, I’ve drafted submissions, reviewed disclosure, sat in courtrooms, worked with vulnerable clients, and learned how much preparation, patience, and dignity matter in legal practice. I am deeply motivated to support the people who trust us with their cases.