About Laura McCarthy
Bar Credentials
Member Number
#2012-0042
Called to the Bar
June 7, 2013
Bar Association
Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
Verify Licence
NSBS Lawyer Directory
Firm Details
FIRm
McCarthy Kuszelewski Law
Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Serving
Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville, Truro & Nova Scotia
Experience
Over 12 years
Why Laura
Her scientific background gives her a rare edge when challenging breathalyzer evidence and forensic procedures. Her near-exclusive focus on impaired driving has made her exceptionally skilled in this highly technical area of law — and she has the acquittal record to prove it.
Halifax, Nova Scotia · Member #2012-0042
Laura McCarthy
Criminal & Family Lawyer ·
- DUI / Impaired Driving
- Criminal Defence
- Family Law
- Drug Offences
About Laura
A Halifax Native with a Scientist's Precision and a Defender's Tenacity
Laura McCarthy is a Halifax-born criminal defence and family lawyer known for her relentless advocacy and technical mastery—qualities shaped in part by an unusual academic foundation. Before entering law, she completed a combined honours degree in Microbiology & Immunology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Dalhousie University, giving her a rigorous analytical lens that she brings directly to impaired driving and forensic-evidence cases.
She earned her Juris Doctorate from the Schulich School of Law in 2012, articled with the prominent firm Cox & Palmer, and was called to the Nova Scotia Bar on June 7, 2013. She then joined Howe Law before founding McCarthy Kuszelewski Law in 2014, where she now leads a team dedicated exclusively to outstanding client outcomes.
With over 12 years of extensive trial experience, Laura has accomplished hundreds of acquittals across criminal matters. Her near-exclusive focus on impaired driving matters has made her one of Nova Scotia’s most technically skilled DUI defenders—fluent in roadside screening procedures, breath-testing science, and Charter rights challenges that many other practitioners overlook.
“DUI law is highly technical and often misunderstood. Many people assume a charge automatically leads to a conviction, but that is not always the case. Procedure, evidence, and constitutional rights matter.”
— Laura McCarthy
Practice Areas
Areas of Focus
DUI & Impaired Driving
Primary focus area. Driving over .08, impaired operation, refusal to provide a breath sample, care and control, and drug-impaired driving.
Criminal Defence
Extensive trial experience across a wide spectrum of criminal matters including drug offences, assaults, and weapons charges.
Family Law
Legal separations, parenting plans, custody and access disputes, and negotiations designed to protect parents and children.
Impaired Driving Causing Harm
Defence in serious allegations involving bodily harm or fatality under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Career Journey
Education & Professional Background
Undergraduate
Combined Honours — Dalhousie University
Microbiology & Immunology · Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
2012
Juris Doctorate — Schulich School of Law
Dalhousie University, Halifax
Articles
Cox & Palmer, Halifax
Articled with one of Atlantic Canada’s leading full-service firms
June 7, 2013
Cox & Palmer, Halifax
Articled with one of Atlantic Canada’s leading full-service firms
2013 – 2014
Associate — Howe Law, Halifax
Criminal and family law practice
2014 – Present
Founding Lawyer — McCarthy Kuszelewski Law
Criminal defence, DUI, and family law throughout Nova Scotia
Client Testimonials
What Clients Say
"Ms. McCarthy and Melissa were amazing. They helped me with my legal separation and also helped me negotiate a parenting plan for my children. I've never used a family lawyer before and my experience was much better than I expected."
