Area of Law
Family Law
Biography
akiya Bhayat joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (‘DSF’) in 2021 as an associate lawyer in our Family Law Group in Toronto. She earned her LL.B. at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, graduating with First Class Honours. While in law school, she worked as a student advisor with the university’s Pro Bono Group where she worked on cases relating to immigration, wills and estates, and a variety of family law matters. During her summers she interned at a boutique family law firm in Toronto. Upon returning to Canada, she obtained her LL.M. at Osgoode Hall Law School. She was called to the Bar in 2020.
Prior to joining DSF, Zakiya advocated on behalf of clients at a boutique family law firm in Toronto where she gained extensive litigation experience in divorce and separation, custody/decision-making, parenting time/access, support, property, and child protection proceedings.
As a family lawyer, Zakiya has appeared at all levels of court in Ontario and although her practice is taking her to the courtroom often for conferences, motions, and trials, she also uses collaborative and alternative processes to reach agreements that are mutually beneficial for all parties involved.
Outside of the office she enjoys spending her time outdoors, volunteering at community events, and catching up on her favourite Netflix series.
