Cassandra DeMelo founded DeMelo Heathcote in 2014 as a means of ensuring that all individuals across London and Southwestern Ontario are represented fairly before the courts. Katie Heathcote joined her in partnership in 2022, bringing her expertise, passion, and shared values to the firm. Learn more about the firm below, or contact us to get started immediately.
About Cassandra
She/Her
Founding Partner
Cassandra DeMelo was born and raised in London, Ontario. She is fluent in Portuguese and conversational in Spanish. After receiving her undergraduate degree at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) in Criminal Justice, she returned to her hometown for law school. She received her Juris Doctor from Western Law. She thanks the Legal Aid clinic at Western, Community Legal Services, for the fantastic training she was given by them as a student.
After law school, she articled with Lerners LLP. Since being admitted to the Ontario Bar in 2013, she has practiced exclusively in criminal law – a life-long aspiration for her. Cassandra is honoured to be serving her hometown as a criminal defence attorney.
Cassandra holds her Masters of Law from Western University on the issue of mental health and bail hearings. She is currently a PhD student at Western Law, focusing on drug reform. She is a lecturer at Western Law, teaching the book she co-authored for LexisNexis: “Law and Mental Health in Canada: Cases and Materials”. She was also a co-author on LexisNexis’ book: “Canadian Anthology on Mental Health and the Law”, where she wrote about drug reform.
Cassandra is proud to also be back at Community Legal Services now as a Review Counsel to their law students – a role she had a decade ago as well.
Cassandra appears regularly before the Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice throughout southwestern Ontario. She also appears before the Ontario Review Board regularly. Finally, she has appeared at all levels of appeal court, including the Ontario Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Cassandra is the President of the London Criminal Lawyers’ Association, a founding member and the Acting President for Women in Canadian Criminal Defence (WiCCD – pronounced “wicked”), and the previous Vice President and now London Director for the Criminal Lawyers’ Association. She is a Director for St. Joseph’s Hospice, and for other Boards in the city.
Cassandra was named a 2026 Best Lawyer® for criminal defence, and is the only criminal defence lawyer on the list in the southwest Ontario region. She was also named a “Top 20 Under 40” by London Inc. for 2026. She was the recipient in 2025 to the “Access to Justice” award, from the Middlesex Law Association.
Outside of law, she is an avid dancer, enjoys travelling the world, and loves sharing good food with her large Portuguese family.
About Katie
She/Her
Partner
Katie Heathcote is a native of Windsor, Ontario. She studied Criminology, Sociology, and French at the University of Windsor, graduating with an Honours Bachelor of Arts. Katie earned a Canadian law degree at the University of Windsor and an American law degree at the University of Detroit Mercy in 2017. In law school, Katie focused her studies in criminal law and volunteered at the Community Legal Aid Clinic.
Katie worked as an articling student at a well-known criminal defence firm in Windsor and was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in June of 2018. She subsequently worked as an associate lawyer at DeMelo Law for four years before becoming partner in October of 2022.
Katie is the London Regional Director of the provincial Criminal Lawyers’ Association and the Social Director of the London Criminal Lawyers’ Association. Katie sits on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of London and Area, is a member of the Governance Committee for that organization, as well as a dedicated “Big Sister”.
Outside of practicing law, Katie enjoys cooking, travelling and spending time with her family, friends and her miniature Yorkie, Czechy (“Checky”).
About Shayne
He/Him
Associate Lawyer
Shayne Stroud was born and raised in Oxford County here in Ontario. He studied Philosophy, Psychology and Political Science at Wilfrid Laurier University before getting an early acceptance to the Western Law School here in London. During his time at Western Law, he dabbled in a
variety of legal disciplines before discovering a deep passion for criminal law, and criminal defense in particular.
During his time at Western Law, Shayne had to balance his studies with his employment at London’s own Victoria Hospital, and his duties as a single parent. He participated in advocacy competitions, and also took the opportunity to coach his junior students in their own advocacy
efforts, and has had the opportunity of mentoring with criminal lawyers here in London. He believes in advocating for vulnerable members of society as they navigate the criminal justice system.
During his free time, Shayne enjoys cooking, playing a variety of different games, and spending time with his wife and son.
About Adriana
She/Her
Associate Lawyer
Adriana D’Arpino was born and raised in Brampton, Ontario. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy with a minor in philosophy at the University of Guelph, graduating with distinction. Adriana obtained her law degree from Queen’s University in 2024. During her studies, she was elected Student Senator of the Law Student’s Society, a position she held until she graduated. Adriana was also an executive member of the Queen’s Criminal Law Club in her second year.
During her second and third years, she worked at Queen’s Legal Aid where she represented clients who could not otherwise afford a lawyer. At Queen’s Legal Aid, Adriana received three separate awards for her dedication to mentorship and her significant contribution to the residents of Kingston through her advocacy. Adriana also interned in her final semester with a defence firm in Toronto where she assisted with appeals for people who have had their Charter rights violated or have been wrongfully convicted.
In her free time, Adriana enjoys reading, concert-going, watching bad movies with friends, and spending time at the dog park with her Shih Tzu Benjamin.
About Haley
She/Her
Paralegal
Haley Moir calls London, Ontario home. She studied Public Relations at Conestoga College in 2012 but decided to pursue a diploma in Paralegal studies, as she has always been passionate about Criminal and Social Justice. She graduated the program with distinction and is thrilled to be working in the industry.
Outside of work, Haley enjoys spending time with her two young boys, snowboarding and traveling.
About Brandon
He/Him
Paralegal (Student)
Brandon Clarke was born and raised in London, Ontario. He graduated with distinction from the University of Western Ontario with an Honours Specialization in Criminology and a Minor in Dance. Brandon is a recognized award-winning student, after obtaining the prestigious Principal Regis Entrance Scholarship for his academic success. He was also given the Golden K Award from the King’s University College Students’ Council for his contributions to the community both on and off campus. He will be attending Fanshawe College in 2024/2025 for their Paralegal program, to continue his education the legal sphere.
During his undergrad, he co-founded a research team called the Not Asking for It (NAFI) project, with the objective of increasing student feelings of safety through policy change, and education surrounding sexual and gender-based violence.
Outside of DeMelo Law, Brandon can also be found instructing classes, choreographing routines, or working the front desk at Dance Extreme Inc. here in London.
About Sydney
She/Her
Receptionist/Articling Student 2026/2027
Sydney Clavet was born and raised in London, Ontario. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Major in Political Sciences before moving to Scotland to pursue her LLB. She graduated from the Accelerated LLB program at the University of Edinburgh with Merit in June 2025. She speaks fluent English, French and basic Spanish.
During her time in law school, Sydney interned with a Criminal Defence firm in Glasgow and conducted research for multiple legal organizations, such as Lawyers without Borders, Forum for Global Human Rights and the Edinburgh International Justice Initiative, where she took part in written submissions for the United Nations. She also participated in the mooting society, coached fitness classes and spent her weekends taking advantage of cheap European flights.
About Lynley
She/Her
Accounts Manager
Lynley Reeve is proud to call London, Ontario her home. She studied English and Religious Studies at King’s College (Western) and went on to pursue a career in Employee Benefit sales.
Having spent the last 18 years raising her four children she is excited to have joined the team at DeMelo Heathcote. She is passionate about travel, organizing, and spending time with family.
About Melanie
She/Her
Law Clerk
Melanie Da Silva was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario. In 2016 She obtained a Diploma in Police Foundations. She has since made London home and is currently completing her Law Clerk Diploma, she has always been passionate about criminal justice and supporting individuals throughout their journey.
Melanie has dedicated the last six years to supporting victims of Human Trafficking. She had joined a survivor-led Anti-Human Trafficking Organization and worked on the launch of two programs. The first program is for female youth who are working on overcoming their trafficker. The second is a program for at-risk youth that teaches them the skills they need to stay safe. Melanie then joined Youth Opportunities Unlimited in London and supported a caseload of high-acuity youth who were currently entrenched or at risk of Human Trafficking.
Melanie is a strong advocate and has extreme expertise in supporting victims through different systems. Melanie was also a Case Manager for a Homeless shelter in St. Thomas where she learned the skills to help individuals who suffer from substance use and provide Trauma-informed care to the homeless community.
Outside the office, Melanie enjoys spending time with her two daughters and family, Serving at her local church in children’s ministry, and cheering on the Toronto Raptors.
About Jessica
She/Her
Paralegal
Jessica DeMelo was born and raised in London, Ontario. She earned her Honours Specialization in Psychology from the University of Western Ontario and later completed the Paralegal Program at Fanshawe College. In 2023, Jessica became a licensed paralegal.
Outside of work, Jessica loves spending time with her husband and two young boys, reading non-fictions books and traveling.
About Zakia
She/Her
Articling Student
Zakia Shaikh moved to London five years ago. Born in Pakistan and raised in Brampton, Ontario, she is fluent in Urdu and Hindi. After earning her undergraduate degree in History from York University, she pursued her law degree at Bond University in Australia. However, due to travel restrictions during the pandemic, she completed her final year of law school at the University of Windsor, graduating in 2023.
While in law school, Zakia balanced the demands of her studies with the responsibilities of being a new mother. Following graduation, she gained valuable experience in insurance defence while working at Dyer Brown.
In her free time, Zakia enjoys cooking, playing with her two young children, cheering on her son at hockey games, and supporting her daughter in gymnastics.
About Caleb
He/Him
Summer Student (2025 & 2026)
Caleb Cook was born and raised in London, Ontario. He received an Honours specialization in criminology with a minor in History from Western university, graduating with distinction. Caleb is presently attending the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Law where he is a Juris Doctor candidate for 2027.
Caleb has shown a deep enthusiasm for criminal law before and throughout his legal studies. During his time at Western, he volunteered at multiple firms doing various work in London and the surrounding areas. While at Windsor, Caleb discovered a passion for advocating for those who have been wronged by the Canadian Criminal Justice System through his work with Windsor’s Innocence Project and their mission to exonerate individuals who have been wrongfully convicted. Caleb is also an editor for Windsor’s Review of Legal and Social Issues. Caleb is also a proud Big Brother and has been a mentor since 2019.
When not in the office or doing schoolwork, Caleb enjoys sports, watching TV shows and movies, playing games, and spending time with his girlfriend and his friends.
Fair Representation in the Courts
Cassandra has a reputation for fighting vigorously for her clients, and for recognizing that a criminal charge does not define an individual.
Community Legal Involvement
Cassandra has worked tirelessly with the Community Legal Services clinic at Western University, as both a student and Review Counsel.