I am a person on disability (ODSP) and…
URGENT WARNING: Professional Misconduct and Exploitation of ODSP Client
Introduction: The Reality of Life on ODSP
I am providing this detailed account to warn the community, specifically those on fixed incomes. I am a person living on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). Every dollar of my monthly income is allocated to survival: rent, medication, and food. There is no room for financial error or exploitation. When I reached out to Caleesis Telesh of Telesh Law, I was looking for professional assistance with a straightforward insurance matter. I trusted that her license and her participation in directories meant for low-income support were a guarantee of integrity. Instead, I experienced a predatory financial trap.
The False Security of the JusticeNet Directory
I located this lawyer through the JusticeNet Directory. This resource is intended to help low-income individuals find legal support at reduced rates. It is meant to provide access to justice for the under-served. In my experience, this firm uses JusticeNet not as a service, but as a fishing ground to target vulnerable clients who may be easier to pressure. I trusted that her affiliation with JusticeNet was a badge of ethical conduct. I was wrong. This trust was used to take $1,000 of my survival income—money meant for my basic necessities—for work that was never performed.
The Retainer Trap and "Bait and Switch" Tactics
I was required to pay a $1,000 retainer to begin work. For an ODSP recipient, this is a massive sacrifice. Once the money was in her possession, all service ceased. No documents were filed, no research was provided, and no progress was made. Instead, the lawyer immediately executed a "Bait and Switch," refusing to perform the agreed-upon task and demanding a significantly larger additional fee before she would move forward. She effectively held my $1,000 hostage, knowing I was on a fixed income and had no more money to give. This is a tactic designed to lock a client in and then demand thousands more while they are at their most vulnerable.
Absolute Proof of Negligence: The 5-Minute Resolution
The most damning evidence of this firm’s misconduct is that I eventually had to handle the matter myself. Despite the stress she caused, I called the insurance company directly. The entire issue was resolved in exactly five minutes, over the phone, for free. This proves that the "legal work" she claimed required a massive retainer and thousands in extra fees was a simple administrative task that any competent professional should have handled in a single afternoon. She did nothing but sit on my money while I performed the work myself.
Verification of Past Misconduct (CanLII Record)
This is not an isolated incident; it is a documented pattern. I urge every person reading this to search the name "Telesh" on CanLII.org. You will find the 2023 Law Society Tribunal decision: 2023 ONLSTH 117. In this official public record, the Law Society of Ontario found her guilty of professional misconduct and professional dishonesty. She has been sanctioned before for failing to serve her clients. Do not trust the 5-star Google ratings; they appear to be manipulated to hide this documented history of dishonesty.
Formal Action and Final Warning
I am fighting back. I have filed a formal report with the Law Society of Ontario (File CAS-179137-L9H7Z9) and am pursuing every legal avenue to recover my funds. It is morally and professionally wrong to take rent and food money from a disabled person for work you never intended to perform.
My final warning: Stay away from this firm. Do not be fooled by the polished digital facade or the JusticeNet listing. Check the CanLII records. If you are on a fixed income, you are a target. Protect your money and find a lawyer who actually respects the law.