Best Lawyers in Canada for Criminal Defence
Practice Area Overview
Prosecutions may be summary proceedings, meaning that the process will take place in the Provincial Court and for which the majority of offences have a maximum of six months incarceration upon conviction or indictable offences for which the maximum can be as high as a life sentence. The decision as to whether an offence is proceeded upon one way or the other is dictated by statute or at the election of the crown prosecutor. Indictable offences may be tried in provincial court, or in Queen's Bench (Superior Court) before a judge alone or before a judge and jury. This choice is made by the person charged in conjunction with counsel.
Many offences now have minimum sentences. This means that a judge is, upon a guilty plea or conviction, required by law to send a person to jail. Other offences may have a broad scope of possible sentences varying from probation to jail, conditional sentences to conditional discharges. Convictions may result in ancillary orders such as weapons prohibitions, or mandatory placement on the child abuse or sexual offenders registries. A criminal record can prevent bonding or entry into the United States or other countries. The length of incarceration may result in removal from Canada for individuals who do not possess Canadian Citizenship.
Provincial offences are tried in the provincial court system and are often regulatory in nature. High fines, jail, restrictions on practice in a trade, driving privileges, seizures of goods, professional licensing, trade, and property issues are just some sentences and areas effected by provincial legislation.
Municipal offences often deal with city or town regulation and the scope of such offences is tightly regulated based upon the powers given to a municipality by provincial legislation.
The Charter or Rights and Freedoms is the paramount protection for individuals in Canada. Many charges require an analysis of rights granted under the Charter to determine if a breach of has occurred in any of a number of areas including: whether a statement given to a police officer or other person in authority is admissible, was there a proper search and seizure, is the result of the breath test admissible or should it be excluded, was right to counsel given and facilitated. Virtually any evidence collected by police I may be subject to Charter scrutiny.
Criminal law in Canada has become a complex and comprehensive field. It requires a vast knowledge of the interplay between a host of pieces of legislation. A qualified experienced lawyer is critical to representation. Cases often require immediate action on the part of an attorney either to prevent charges from being laid or to begin the defense process in an effort to preserve evidence or defenses. Laying the groundwork early, interviewing witnesses, access to the use of an array of experts are tools a capable counsel will impart at the onset of a case.
Choice of counsel is integral. The ability to analyze, to advocate, negotiate, communicate, and focus on the issues are part of a looter's skill set. The ability to cross examine is fundamental, not all lawyers are the same. Capable experienced counsel can make the difference between conviction and acquittal.
Select a location from the list below to find the best legal talent for your needs.
Province
Matthew Friedberg has been a criminal defence lawyer his entire career. He has successfully represented hundreds of clients charged with every type of criminal offence at every level of court in Ontario*. Mr. Friedberg regularly represents individuals charged with extremely serious offences, and many of his cases have been the subject of media attention. He has had particular success defending persons charged with Homicide , Sexual Assault , Domestic Assault , Drug and Firearms offences . Eve...
Hussein Aly is a highly successful trial lawyer. His experience and track record of success resulted in the Law Society of Ontario recognizing him as a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law. In 2021, he was named a Lexpert Rising Star, an award recognizing leading lawyers under 40. Hussein was also elected by his colleagues to sit on the board of directors for the Criminal Lawyers Association. Hussein has successfully defended hundreds of criminal cases, many of them garnering media attention.
Louis Belleau has been a member of the Quebec Bar since 1981, practicing in the field of criminal and penal law. Having served as Crown counsel from 1981 to 1983, Mr. Belleau then practiced at the firms of Silver Braun, Filteau Belleau and Shadley Battista before opening his own office in 2012. Mr. Belleau has appeared before all courts of criminal jurisdiction in the Province of Quebec and, on occasion, in jurisdictions outside Quebec. He appeared many times before the Supreme Court of Canad...
Erin Breen was born and raised in St. John’s and is a graduate of Gonzaga High School, Memorial University of Newfoundland and the University of New Brunswick Law School. Erin began practicing criminal defence law in 2003 with Robert Simmonds Q.C. and has since focused on CDSA and Charter defence. Erin has volunteered with the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted (AIDWYC), a national non-profit organization based in Toronto dedicated to the identification and rectification of...
Daniel Brown is among an elite group of Toronto criminal defence lawyers certified as a criminal law specialist by the Law Society of Ontario, the governing body of Ontario lawyers. This certification guarantees that the recipient is, “recognized and experienced in his or her field of law and who has met high standards”. Daniel is a seasoned and highly skilled criminal defence lawyer. With his office located in close proximity to several key courthouses in downtown Toronto, he rou...
Over the last two decades, Hilary has defended almost every type of criminal charge from theft to murder and has developed a special proficiency defending individuals charged with sexual assault , drug offences, and human trafficking. She is an accomplished and adept professional ready to guide her clients through rough terrain. Hilary is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law and obtained her Master of Laws in Criminal Law and Procedure from Osgoode Hall Law School in...
Marc-André G. Fabien, Ad. E. is a seasoned litigator and Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers recognized for his mastery of high-profile complex litigation. He specializes in commercial and shareholders’ disputes, securities litigation and penal proceedings, and litigation involving federal, provincial and municipal bodies. In addition, he is the President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. Marc-André appears before all levels of courts, including the Supreme...
Fellow of American College of Trial Lawyers (Chair, Ontario Committee). Fellow of International Society of Barristers. Best Lawyers in Canada® , Criminal Defence. Former Director, Advocates’ Society. Faculty Member, National Criminal Law Program. Criminal lawyer experienced in criminal, quasi-criminal, constitutional and special prosecutions matters. Appeared as counsel on many jury and bench trials, argued over 80 appeals in the Court of Appeal for Ontario and multiple appearances ...
Brian Greenspan is one of the most prominent and respected defence lawyers in Canada. He has served as counsel on many of Canada’s most significant cases that have helped shape criminal law over the past five and a half decades. He has an unparalleled and distinguished reputation in both trial and appellate law. A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Society of Barristers, and Litigation Counsel of America, Brian is sought after for his sage advice in respe...
Mark Halfyard is the senior appellate lawyer at Daniel Brown Law . He obtained his B.A. in legal studies and political science from Carleton University in 2001, graduating at the top of his faculty. He graduated with his LL.B. cum laude from the University of Ottawa, where he completed a clerkship with the Regional Senior Judge of the Ontario Superior Court. The Law Society of Ontario has certified Mark as a specialist in criminal law. With less than 100 certified criminal specialists in Onta...
One of Canada’s leading criminal defence counsel, David has been a partner in the firm for over thirty years. His advocacy practice is focused on the vigorous defence of individuals and corporations facing criminal investigation or prosecution, and regulated professionals responding to allegations of professional misconduct. David has argued cases in all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He is equally experienced and adept conducting trials, appeals, and profession...
Howard Krongold is a partner at Abergel Goldstein & Partners LLP and is a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law. His practice focuses on criminal appeals and complex trials. Howard has argued over half a dozen times before the Supreme Court of Canada, and he has appeared as lead counsel in over 100 appeals before the Court of Appeal for Ontario. At the trial level, he has successfully defended clients charged with murder, large-scale drug trafficking, and sexual assault. Howard has lecture...
Karen is an experienced trial lawyer with a focus on jury trials – her record speaks for herself, she has had tremendous success securing acquittals for clients in jury trials for all types of offences including first and second-degree murder prosecutions. She has also won acquittals in judge alone trials, including a first-degree murder. Though she has defended nearly every criminal charge known to law, she specializes in complex prosecutions involving allegations of firearms possessio...
CURRICULUM VITAE 1977 - Present Partner in law firm, Lutz Longstaff Parish, specializing in criminal and family law. A. Committees, Associations, Appointments and Elected Positions. 1990 - 1991 President - Law Society of New Brunswick. 1992 - 1996 Vice-Chair, Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers. 1996 - 2008 Treasurer, Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers. 1994 - Present New Brunswick Criminal Lawyers Association, Treasurer. 1986 - 1991 Federation of Law Societies National Cri...
Jeffrey is Criminal Lawyer and Associate Counsel at Ross & McBride LLP. A criminal lawyer in Hamilton, Ontario, Mr. Manishen commenced his practice of with Ross and McBride in 1985. Prior to that he was an Assistant Crown Attorney in Hamilton from 1977 - 1985. Over the years, he has defended a similarly-wide range of criminal charges as well as drug offences, tax evasion and proceedings under the Provincial Offences Act. He has also, on occasion, been retained by the Ministry of the Attor...
Joseph Markson’s practice is directed to the defence of individual and corporate clients in criminal and regulatory litigation. His practice areas are criminal and regulatory law, tax evasion and white-collar crime, and the law of policing and professional discipline. He has extensive experience successfully conducting criminal and quasi-criminal trials, regulatory and professional discipline hearings, appeals, advisory work, and witness representation. Joseph was selected by his peers ...
Patrick McCann’s practice is focused on white collar crime litigation. He has represented clients in all trial and appellate courts in Ontario, and the Supreme Court of Canada. He has been lead counsel in numerous major criminal trials and has handled over 60 homicide cases. Other cases involve drug trafficking, commercial fraud, regulatory offences and prosecutions under the Income Tax Act, the Competition Act and the Lobbying Act.
Joven Narwal is a leading Vancouver trial and appellate lawyer whose practice is devoted to complex and serious cases where liberty and reputation are at stake, primarily in the areas of criminal litigation, securities litigation, professional regulation, and specialty civil litigation involving criminal overtones. Inducted into Best Lawyers Canada, he has also been recognized as a “Litigation Star” and shortlisted for “White Collar Crime / Enforcement Lawyer of the Year&rdq...
Andrew Nathanson, KC is Co-Leader of the firm’s White Collar Defence and Investigations group. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and white collar crime. Andrew is sought after by corporations, directors and investors for his expertise in shareholders' disputes, oppression claims, proxy contests, and commercial disputes. Many of Andrew's commercial cases involve multi-jurisdictional disputes. Andrew was co-counsel for Lions Gate Entertainment, successfully defeating t...
Matthew Nathanson is a criminal defence lawyer with over 25 years of experience. He specializes in complex criminal cases and has extensive experience in constitutional matters, media sensitive cases and appeals. He has represented clients in various provinces and has argued cases in the Federal Court of Canada and Supreme Court of Canada.
Joseph A Neuberger is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Criminal Law. He has a Masters Degree of Law, and is a published author. Joseph Neuberger leverages over three decades of experience to build a highly respected criminal defence firm with a proven track record of success. Mr. Neuberger has extensive trial experience in the areas of sexual and domestic assault cases, homicide, fraud, drug-related offences and impaired driving. Mr. Neuberger has successfully conduc...
Evan Roitenberg has been practising law since 1992 and is deeply committed to protecting the rights of the accused and equally committed to the advancement of the legal profession.Over his three decades as a defence lawyer, Mr. Roitenberg has been recognized as a persistent, determined, and strong advocate. Evan has been involved in numerous high-profile and precedent-setting cases. He has defended clients in Manitoba, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia and at the Supreme Co...
Brian Ross is a founding partner at Canada’s largest Criminal Lawyer Toronto Brian Ross criminal law firm, Rusonik, O’Connor, Ross & Angelini, LLP. Prior to founding this firm, Brian was a partner at Pinkofskys, a leading law firm famous for its vigorous defence of its clients. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Psychology, and authoring several journal publications in this area, Mr. Ross attended Osgoode Hall Law School. He immediately established hi...
Over the 20 years Tonii Roulston has been a member of the Calgary Bar Association, she has built her long-standing reputation as a tough criminal defence lawyer. Known for her strategic thinking, and effectiveness in the courtroom, she has represented a variety of challenging and high-profile cases. As a female lawyer, she holds an advantage in vigorously questioning female complainants on difficult details including their motivations to lie and inconsistencies in their accusations. Tonii is ...
Chris Rudnicki is a criminal law expert. He is a veteran of hundreds of criminal trials and appeals. His experience includes complex, serious, and precedent-setting cases at every level of court in Ontario and at the Supreme Court of Canada. Chris specializes in criminal appeals. Losing a criminal case is a traumatic experience. Convicted persons lose the presumption of innocence and often also lose their freedom. Most of Chris’s clients contact him after being found guilty but before s...
Chris Sewrattan is a criminal lawyer who conducts trials and appeals at every level of court. He has successfully defended a wide range of charges, from impaired driving to murder. Chris’ litigation strategy combines intense preparation and a thorough understanding of the law. Chris takes the time to work personally with his clients through every step of their case, ensuring that they understand their obstacle and how to defeat it. Chris does not just practice criminal law. He teaches i...
Ms. Shikhman was born and raised in the Soviet Union. Having witnessed injustices and abuses of power, she decided to become a criminal defence lawyer and to dedicate her career to ensuring that the power of the state functions within is proper limits and is not abused by those who possess power over the freedom of others. At the age of 17, Ms. Shikhman started working for a senior criminal defence lawyer pursuing her passion. At the age of 23 Ms. Shikhman graduated from Osgoode Hall Law Scho...
William Smart, K.C. is a senior litigator who has over 45 years of experience primarily in the areas of criminal, administrative and regulatory law. This includes representing clients under investigation or charged pursuant to various federal and provincial Acts such as the Income Tax Act, Canada Labour Code, Fisheries Act, Customs Act, Excise Act, Workers Compensation Act, Mines Act, Securities Act, Police Act, Gaming Enforcement Act and Elections Act, as well as representing lawyers, teache...
He has broad trial experience defending clients faced with serious and complex charges, including homicides, criminal organization offences, conspiracies, kidnapping, extortion, drug trafficking, firearms offences, and money laundering. Daniel has extensive experience as criminal appellate counsel, having represented clients at the Supreme Court of Canada in more than twenty cases. He conducts criminal appeals regularly at the Alberta Court of Appeal and British Columbia Court of Appeal, and ...
Michael is a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law and a partner at Abergel Goldstein & Partners LLP . Michael’s laid-back charm disarms the toughest witnesses and has an irresistible effect on judges and juries alike. Michael has developed a broad-ranging criminal litigation practice, and has appeared before all levels of court. He has defended cases ranging from simple assaults to large drug projects, to complex murders, and has had particular success before juries. Michael has bee...
Adam Weisberg is a dedicated criminal lawyer with both an appeal and trial practice. He has appeared at all levels of court and conducted hundreds of successful trial matters. In 2011, he was granted his Certified Specialist in Criminal Law designation after practising for only eight years. Mr. Weisberg's practice focuses on defending complex drug matters, sexual assault cases, white collar crime and homicides. Mr. Weisberg is also committed to legal education. He is currently a vice-presiden...
Kevin Westell is a founding partner at Pender Litigation. In addition to his criminal and regulatory defence work, he is often retained to act as Crown Counsel, counsel for witnesses in criminal proceedings and as amicus curiae (counsel for the Court). He has represented clients across Canada facing all levels of seriousness and at all levels of court in British Columbia. Mr. Westell was elected a Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC) Bencher for Vancouver County on November 16, 2020 and beg...
With over 45 years of experience practicing law, Richard Wolson has the experience you deserve. One of Canada’s most prominent lawyers, Mr. Wolson has worked to defend all kinds of people just like you. With notable high profile cases such as the 2010 Schreiber, Mulroney inquiry, and the Wrongful Conviction Inquiry of Thomas Sophonow. Richard has represented clients in nearly every province in Canada. The hallmark of Richard Wolson’s career as a lawyer is his willingness to share ...
Lindsay’s practice focuses on criminal trials and appeal work. She regularly appears at all levels of court in Ontario, and represents clients in bail proceedings, trials, appeals, interventions, and constitutional applications. Lindsay defends her clients against a range of criminal offences, with a particular interest and expertise in defending sexual offences. Lindsay has significant experience in constitutional litigation, and regularly crafts arguments to challenge laws or police a...
Colleen’s practice focuses on criminal trials and appeals. She has argued appeals in the Ontario Court of Justice ( Provincial Offences Act appeals), the Superior Court of Justice, the Federal Court of Canada and the Court of Appeal for Ontario. She has repeatedly appeared on behalf of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association on significant criminal law appeals at the Supreme Court of Canada. She also has experience acting as counsel to a party with standing at a Coroner’s Inquest ...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.