Best Lawyers in Canada for Criminal Defence

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. Patrick McCann has been practicing at the forefront of...

Jordana H. Goldlist is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defence. Jordana H., 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 Jordana H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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...

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...

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...

Gerald Chan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Appellate Practice, Criminal Defence and Privacy and Data Security Law. Gerald, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gerald is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Janani is a passionate and dedicated advocate. Her track record speaks for itself. She has argued almost 40 appeals at the Ontario Court of Appeal. She has argued at the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. She was co-counsel in R. v. Nur, the first case in over 30 years where the Supreme Court found a mandatory minimum sentence unconstitutional and in R. v. Williams, the Supreme Court's most recent case on entrapment. Janani is also a skilled trial lawyer. She was co...

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.

Mark Polley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defence. Mark, 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 Mark is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Margaret Bojanowska is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defence. Margaret, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Margaret is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Fredrick Schumann is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Appellate Practice, Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defence. Fredrick, 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 Fredrick is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Howard is widely recognized as a leading appellate lawyer, known for his precise and creative advocacy. With over 20 years of experience, Howard is a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law and a partner at AGP LLP in Ottawa. His practice is devoted to criminal appeals and complex trials, and he has argued more than 150 appeals, including seven appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada. At the trial level, he has successfully defended clients charged with murder, large-scale drug traffickin...