Our Lawyers
Tony Kavanagh
Tony has been a lawyer in Winnipeg for 22 years and practices mainly in the area of criminal defence law. He has many years of experience in the criminal courts on both sides of the courtroom (he was a senior prosecutor for many years) so he can help you figure out the best steps from a wealth of experience and over 2 decades in the courts.
He will help you develop a multi-level strategy and tactical plan in handling your matter for trial. Tony earns the trust of his clients and will help you reduce your stress. But even if you think you should plead guilty, you’ll still need help dealing with the prosecutor and the Judge to achieve best results. Some people plead guilty without understanding the consequences and they can be very severe.
Tony believes everybody should have good experienced counsel. He offers a free consultation and accepts certain Legal Aid cases. Even if he cannot represent you directly, he will supervise your case and work with one of his associates to steer your matter in the right direction.
He also handles administrative and civil matters (particularly in the professional discipline area) and is an independent adjudicator. He teaches law students at both the Canadian Centre for Professional and Legal Education and at Robson Hall Law School (University of Manitoba).
Memberships / Associations:
- Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Residential Tenancies Commission
- Manitoba Bar Association
- former President (2009-2010) and current Life Council Member
- former Co-Chair of the Criminal Justice Section
- former Chair of the Constitutional and Human Rights Section
- Canadian Bar Association
- former Chair – CBA Ethics and Professional Responsibilities Committee
- former Director of the Board (2010-2011)
- Criminal Defence Lawyers Association of Manitoba – former Vice President
- Community Legal Education Association – former President
- Law Society of Manitoba – served several committees
- Former President of the Canadian Mental Health Association (Manitoba Division) to 2006
- Former Vice President of the Immigration and Community Organisation of Manitoba Inc (IRCOM) / and previous Honourary Counsel
Contact Tony Kavanagh for a free consultation at:
Cell: 204-232-4109 (or text)
Direct Phone: 204-515-0753
Firm: 204-515-3787
Fax: 204-515-3788
E-Mail: tony@kavalaw.ca
Karl Gowenlock
Karl received his call to the bar in 2010. While focused primarily in the area of criminal defence, Karl also takes on civil criminal-forfeiture cases, civil litigation against police or other actors in the justice system, appears before administrative tribunals (License Suspension Appeal Board, LGCA – Licensing Board), and fights and defends Protection Orders and Peace Bonds. Karl has appeared numerous times before the Manitoba Court of Appeal, including a successful constitutional challenge which resulted in a provision of the Criminal Code being struck down.
Raised by political activists, Karl was trained to argue from birth. He first began defence work in the fourth grade, advocating on behalf of his fellow classmates in the principal’s office. Since then Karl has held a wide variety of jobs, ranging from roofing to bagel store management to music management/booking, before receiving his call to the bar and beginning the practice of law in 2010.
Education
- Called to the Manitoba Bar, 2010
- Bachelor of Laws, University of Manitoba, 2007
- Bachelor of Arts, McGill University, 2001
Professional Experience
- Associate, Bueti Wasyliw Wiebe, 2010 – 2018 (formerly Bueti Wasyliw and Associates)
- Articling Student-at-law, Pinx & Co., 2009-2010
Memberships / Associations
- Criminal Defence Lawyers Association of Manitoba
Outside of Law
Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, Board Member, Treasurer
Winnipeg Housing Renewal Corporation, Board Member
Contact Karl at:
Karl Gowenlock, B.A., LL.B
Barrister & Solicitor, Associate
KAVANAGH WOOD LAW CORPORATION
2707 at 83 Garry Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4J9
Cell: (204) 510-8123
Office: (204) 515-3787
Fax: (204) 515-3788
Direct Ph: (204) 515-4329
E-Mail: karl@kavalaw.ca
Laura Nagy
Associate Lawyer
Born and raised in Montreal, Laura moved to Winnipeg after completing her Quebec Civil Law degree at the University of Ottawa in 2014. The highlight of her legal education was her close collaboration with local organizations, carrying out an awareness campaign on human trafficking in Ottawa. Upon moving to Winnipeg, she obtained her common law certification, challenging the requirements of the National Committee on Accreditation. While finishing law school, Laura confirmed her interest in criminal law by working as a legal assistant at Bueti Wasyliw Wiebe, where she later articled in 2017. She volunteered at the Legal Help Centre and worked as a courtroom clerk for the Winnipeg Law Courts. She received her call to the Bar in May 2018 and joined Kavanagh Law Group as an associate lawyer to continue practicing in criminal defense.
Education & Call
- Call to the Bar – May 2018
- National Committee on Accreditation Certificate – 2017
- Licentiate in Law, Civil Law (University of Ottawa) – 2014
- Diplome d’études collégiales (Vanier College, Montreal) – 2010
Languages
Fluent and can provide legal assistance in French and English. Fluent in Hungarian.
Memberships and Associations
- Criminal Defense Lawyers Association of Manitoba
- Law Society of Manitoba
- Community Legal Education Association – Manitoba
- Canadian Bar Association
- Manitoba Bar Association
Outside of Law
Kickboxing, yoga, running, violin (since the age of 4)
Contact Laura at:
Direct: 204-515-6461
Main: 204-515-3787
Office Fax: 204-515-3788
Email: laura@kavalaw.ca
Chelsea Suderman
Associate Lawyer
Winnipegger Chelsea completed her law degree in North Dakota and then returned to article in Winnipeg. She worked closely with Dan Manning and joined the Kavanagh Law Group in November 2019. After Dan Manning Chambers dissolved, Chelsea took many of Dan’s files over to our firm where she and Karl Gowenlock continue to assist those clients. Chelsea is an organised and effective lawyer always ready to help her clients quickly and effectively solve their problems.
Memberships / Associations:
Canadian Bar Association
Manitoba Bar Association
Criminal Defence Lawyers Association of Manitoba
Community Legal Education Association
Law Society of Manitoba
Contact Chelsea at:
Direct Phone: 204-515-4327
Firm: 204-515-3787
Fax: 204-515-3788
E-Mail: Chelsea@kavalaw.ca
Benji Greenberg
Benji received her juris doctor from the University of Manitoba in 2014 and was called to the bar in 2015. Prior to attending law school Benji completed a Bachelor of Arts in History at University of Winnipeg. Benji practices in the areas of criminal defense and child protection and is a Notary Public.
Benji has appeared at all levels of court in Manitoba, including the Manitoba Court of Appeals. She has also appeared before tribunals and regulatory bodies such as the Mental Health Review Board and the Residential Tenancies Board. Benji is passionate about social justice issues and access to justice.
She is also involved in various musical and theatrical endeavours and supporter of the arts.
Memberships/Associations:
Canadian Bar Association
Manitoba Bar Association
Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association of Manitoba
Law Society of Manitoba
Community Legal Education Association