Our Team

Born and raised in Timmins, Ontario, David's path to becoming a trial lawyer was forged when he began playing guitar as a young boy. His passion for performance carried him through his undergrad and Master's, earning him two degrees in music. His love of people and performing guided him to the University of Ottawa where he earned a Juris Doctor degree, followed by his Call to the Ontario Bar. 

Never one for desk jobs, David thrives in a courtroom setting where his passion and advocacy skills truly shine. He consistently perseveres for each and every client, achieving the best results possible. David restricts his personal practice strictly to criminal defence.

He can be found meeting clients on a weekly basis at the Niagara Detention Centre.

David has argued cases before the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice. He is a member of the Legal Aid Panel for Criminal Law, Gladue as well as the panel for "ESM" or Extremely Serious Matters.  David volunteers as a coach and judge with the Ontario Justice Education Network in the Competitive Mock Trial tournaments for local highschools.  David also serves as a criminal law mentor to lawyers recently called to the Ontario Bar.

An avid reader and fan of Elon Musk, David enjoys reading about physics and astronomy, writing music and playing his guitar, cooking, and spending time with his 2 Labrador Retrievers. 

Born in Scarborough, Ontario and raised in Markham, Gurinder sought an intellectually-stimulating career to help those in need. This led him to graduate with a Double Major Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies and Law & Society at York University in Toronto. During his undergraduate studies, he volunteered at a legal clinic where he assisted senior counsel in helping some of Scarborough’s most marginalized in applying for social benefits through the Ontario Disability Support Program.

While attending law school at Queen’s University, Gurinder’s passion for social justice continued to grow while working as a student caseworker at Queen’s Legal Aid. During this time, he advocated on behalf of clients faced with traumatic experiences, social stigma from criminal allegations, and mental/physical disabilities. As a caseworker, he conducted contested hearings in a number of forums including the Landlord & Tenant Board, the Social Benefits Tribunal, and the Tax Court of Canada.

After graduating from law school, Gurinder completed his Articles at a prominent criminal defence firm in Toronto and regularly appeared before the Ontario Court of the Justice throughout the Greater Toronto Area. As a criminal defense lawyer, Gurinder works alongside David, tirelessly pursuing the best possible outcome for his clients to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice. He is a member of the Legal Aid Panel for Criminal Law and Gladue, and is fluent in Punjabi.

In his spare time, Gurinder enjoys challenging others in table tennis and working out at the gym. He has a peculiar knack for road maps and can travel almost anywhere without relying on electronic directions.

Born and raised in Niagara on the Lake, Jacob is proud to serve and work in the community he has long called home. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Brock University. While at Brock, Jacob gained a passion for advocacy, volunteering as a student advocate. This led him to attend Law School in the United Kingdom and graduate with a Masters of Arts in Law degree. 

Following graduation, Jacob completed his articles with a small town firm in Leamington, Ontario, where he practiced in multiple areas of law, including family law. After returning to his roots in the Niagara region, Jacob joined Protomanni & Associates to practice family and civil law.

In his spare time, Jacob enjoys racing sailboats and competes at regattas around the province in the Shark 24 class. He takes pleasure in learning about history and has traveled extensively while studying abroad. Jacob has a basic proficiency in German as a result of spending a year in Berlin before post secondary studies. 

Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Dana was aware early on that her chosen profession would be one of public service.  For 15 years, Dana practiced as a nurse in the Hamilton and Niagara regions, working in surgical, palliative, long-term care, with the majority of her medical career spent working in psychiatric and behavioural health.   
These life experiences and transferable skills made her transition into criminal law, seamless. 

As a Licensed Paralegal, our firm looks to Dana's knowledge and more importantly, people skills, to guide our clients through what are often very stressful times. She's known as the go-to person in our firm and our clients often remark that they leave our office feeling more calm and with a better understanding of their matter.

Emma is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, where she studied Political Science and Legal Studies. As a long term service industry worker, Emma has a passion for helping others.  
Emma works alongside all of our lawyers to achieve success in each and every unique situation that comes their way. She focuses on office communication, organization & coordination, court appearances, and general administrative work. Emma is a hard working addition to the team who strives to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Born and raised in Niagara, Martyna obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice at the University of Guelph and studied abroad in Shanghai at East China Normal University. 

She later earned her Master’s degree at Carleton University in Ottawa, specializing in criminal justice reform and police brutality and misconduct. While at Carleton, she was a teaching assistant for undergraduates in law and tutored students with disabilities. 

Motivated to be an advocate for individual rights, and also gain international experience, she earned her Juris Doctorate degree at the University of Southampton in England. While working in family and personal injury law, she has developed an ability to connect with clients with compassion and understanding.

As a former competitive figure skater, she continues to enjoy the ice recreationally outside the office. She also enjoys fitness and running, and is an avid traveler having lived in various countries.

Martyna joins Protomanni & Associates as a law student as she transitions into the role of Student-At-Law in 2021, completing an eight month articling term required before her Call to the Ontario Bar.

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Paul developed a love for music and the arts at a young age. After working in the music industry for several years, Paul relocated to Niagara Falls in 2009 and shifted his focus to design and branding. During his ten-year career in the creative sector, he developed a meticulous eye for detail and passion for helping clients achieve their marketing objectives.

In 2019, Paul’s interest in law sparked an ambition to pursue a career in the legal profession. He is currently completing his final semester of studies as a paralegal student and is excited to further develop his knowledge under the guidance of the team at Protomanni & Associates.