Ryan Swalm: Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Question: What should I do if I'm facing a fire code violation charge?

Answer:   DefendCharges.ca™ provides strategic representation to property owners, ensuring you navigate the complexities of fire safety compliance effectively.  With over 14 years of experience and a proven track record of securing positive outcomes, our team is dedicated to protecting your rights and achieving the best possible resolution for your situation.  Contact us today for comprehensive legal support.

Ryan Swalm, Paralegal — Professional CV

Professional Qualifications

A dedicated and results-oriented Paralegal whose practice strategically combines complementary areas of expertise: a specialized focus on fire safety compliance within tenancy law, backed by a proven record as a seasoned Provincial Offences Act litigator.  With over 14 years of licensure and responsibility for over 25,000 court appearances, I bring a robust, trial-tested advocacy skillset to defending property owners and managers.

My advanced understanding of the Ontario Fire Code and the Fire Protection and Prevention Act is empowered by intimate knowledge of POA procedure, pre-trial negotiations, and Charter motions.  This ensures clients receive clear, actionable compliance guidance and strategic representation that enhances tenant safety, mitigates liability, and achieves favorable outcomes in enforcement proceedings.  I am also an occasional guest speaker on CityNews.

Litigation & Courtroom Expertise

• Years Licensed: 13+
• Court Appearances: 25,000+
• Trials Conducted: ~500
• Recent Success Rate: 97%

Extensive Trial Experience: Approximately 500 trials before the Ontario Court of Justice with a consistent success rate exceeding 50%, demonstrating persuasive advocacy on fact and law.

Mastery of POA Procedure: End-to-end experience from filing and service through trials and appeals, leveraging procedural rules to optimize outcomes.

Advanced Motion Practice:

• Charter challenges: Motions under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including disclosure (s.7) and delay (s.11(b)).
• Disclosure motions: Compelling complete and timely disclosure from prosecutors to strengthen preparation and resolution.

Negotiation & Resolution: Pre-trial negotiations and judicial pre-trials leading to withdrawals, reductions, and favorable resolutions without trial where appropriate.

Appellate Advocacy: Experience before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, including approximately 500 appeals from POA convictions; advanced research, factum drafting, and oral advocacy.

Results & Metrics: Positive outcomes—withdrawals, stays, acquittals, reduced penalties—in 97 of the last 100 cases litigated.

Key Services

• Fire Code violation defence and litigation
• Compliance audits and risk assessments
• Representation on Orders to Comply and Notices of Violation
• Tenant fire safety education and policy development
• Interpretation and application of retrofit provisions for existing buildings
• Liaison with municipal fire departments and the Office of the Fire Marshal

Clientele & Professional Collaboration

Property Owners & Landlords: Compliance advisory and defence for single-family, duplex, triplex, and small-scale rentals; older housing stock and rooming-house rules; delineation of responsibilities for smoke/CO alarms, extinguishers, and egress; representation at the Landlord and Tenant Board and in Provincial Offences Court.

Residential & Commercial Property Management: Support for multi-unit residential, condos, and commercial sites: fire safety plans, pre-inspection reviews, coordination with fire prevention officers, response to tenant safety complaints, and drafting policies for emergency preparedness, annual testing, and documentation.

Legal Professionals & Law Firms: Specialist support for fire code litigation: evidence review of Fire Marshal reports, drafting arguments and motions, and preparation for witness examinations.

Professional Licences & Memberships

• Paralegal TownHall Campaign Committee (PTCC) — Member
• Law Society of Ontario (LSO) — Member
• Law Society Referral Service (LSRS) — Member
• Canadian Fire Safety Association (CFSA) — Member
• Ontario Paralegal Association (OPA) — Member
• Federation of Ontario Paralegals (FOP) — Member

Case Study: R.  v. P.W. & J.W. (2025)

Prosecutor: Jacqueline Mathurin

Issue: Alleged Ontario Fire Code s. 6.3.3.3.(1) violation (smoke alarm maintenance).

Overview: Retired co-owners; single alarm failed during inspection; potential fines up to $50,000 per owner under the FPPA.

Strategy: Preserved alarm for testing; compiled 5+ years of maintenance records; emphasized immediate corrective action and cooperation.

Resolution: Pre-trial evidence submission; all charges withdrawn.

Case Study: R.  v. R.C. & Numbered Company (2024)

Prosecutor: Chris Bendick

Issue: Fire alarm system maintenance (Ontario Fire Code s. 6.3.1.4) at mixed-use property.

Overview: Tenant-requested inspection identified faults; last maintenance record in 2015; exposure included corporate and personal liability.

Strategy: Differentiated corporate vs.  individual responsibility; filed proof of immediate repairs and updated maintenance contracts.

Resolution: Company pled guilty with $7,500 fine (plus costs); charge against R.C. withdrawn.

Case Study: R.  v. N.R. & F.N. (2025)

Prosecutor: Ms.  Volga Pankou

Issue: Multiple Fire Code violations tied to unapproved rooming-house operation.

Overview: Nine violations each (e.g., missing fire safety plan, inadequate exits, unrated assemblies); potential fines up to $450,000 per owner under the FPPA.

Strategy: Secured extension to remedy; produced permits, drawings, and invoices; argued mitigation based on good-faith compliance efforts.

Resolution: Pleas to two counts each; 14 charges withdrawn; fines: N.R. $3,500 per count; F.N. $3,000 per count.