Best Criminal Defence Lawyers in Canada
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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 ...
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.
Rosellen was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. She earned a Master’s degree in Criminology from the University of Ottawa in 1995 and obtained her law degree from Dalhousie Law School in 1998. Following her call to the bar, she worked with the Department of Justice until 2006. During her time with the Department of Justice, Rosellen served as Junior Inquiry Counsel to Commissioner Antonio Lamer at the Lamer Inquiry, which examined three wrongful convictions in Newfound...
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...
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...
Jordana H. Goldlist is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Criminal Defence. Jordana H. practices law in Toronto, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized Jordana H. Goldlist since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jordana H. Goldlist is held by other lawyers.
Adriel Weaver has a broad litigation practice, including criminal, constitutional, Aboriginal and administrative law matters. She has appeared in all levels of court in Ontario, the Federal Court, Federal Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court of Canada. Adriel received her law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2006, and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2007 after clerking at the Court of Appeal for Ontario. She also holds a Master’s in Environmental Studies from York University, and a...
Jessyca Greenwood is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law and Criminal Defence. Jessyca, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jessyca is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Jessyca assists clients with investigations, those facing allegations of wrongdoing, and hi...
Naomi has a diverse practice, representing clients in criminal and regulatory trials and appeals, with a particular focus on corporate crime, complex criminal litigation, and appellate advocacy. She has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario as well as the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. In addition to her criminal law practice, Naomi regularly appears at the Law Society Tribunal, representing lawyers in disciplinary proceedings, as well as before other ad...
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...
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...
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...
Daniel Brown is one of Canada's leading criminal defence lawyers, defending individuals, professionals, public figures, corporations, and organizations in high-stakes criminal, regulatory, and professional discipline matters. His practice spans trials, appeals, regulatory hearings, witness representation, crisis advisory work, and complex investigations where a client’s liberty, reputation, career, and future are on the line. Background and Certification Daniel was called to the Ontario...
