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A.D. was charged with molesting his niece. He hired a lawyer (not Christopher Assié or anyone from Neuberger & Partners LLP). There was no physical evidence – only her word against his. A.D. told his lawyer he was innocent and that he never touched his niece inappropriately. His lawyer told him that he could not withstand being cross-examined by a professional Crown Attorney. His lawyer didn’t explain to him that if he didn’t testify in his own defence, the jury would be left with only his niece’s allegations. Effectively, his lawyer made the decision that A.D. would not testify. A.D. was promptly convicted by a jury. A.D. hired Christopher Assié to represent him for an appeal. A.D.’s allegations of how his trial lawyer failed to prepare him for trial were shocking. On appeal, Christopher Assié argued that the verdict was unfair because A.D. had been provided ineffective assistance of counsel. Ineffective assistance of counsel allegations are very difficult to prove and appeals on those grounds are seldom granted. On appeal, Christopher Assié cross-examined A.D.’s trial counsel and established that he failed to properly advise A.D. regarding whether he should testify in his own defence. His trial lawyer believed after a few conversations with A.D. that he would not do well during cross-examination because he was a nervous and timid man. He never attempted to prepare A.D. to testify. The Court of Appeal found that Christopher Assié had succeeded in establishing that A.D. was provided ineffective assistance of counsel and that a miscarriage of justice arose. They overturned the conviction and ordered a new trial. A.D. has hired Christopher Assié to represent him at his re-trial.