Best Lawyers in Canada for Criminal Defence
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Christopher Hicks is a founding partner of the criminal law firm Hicks Adams, which he established alongside Michael Block and Colin Adams. Over a career spanning more than twenty-five years, he has developed a distinguished practice focused heavily on complex jury trials and appellate advocacy. Throughout his decades in the courtroom, Christopher has successfully defended clients facing the most severe offences under the Criminal Code. He routinely argues both conviction and sentence appeals...
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...
Brian Gover is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defence and Health Care Law. Brian, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
Melanie J. Webb is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defence. Melanie J., who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melanie J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
Chloe Boubalos is a dedicated legal advocate with a focus on criminal defence at Daniel Brown Law LLP, based in Toronto, Ontario. Her practice covers both trials and appeals, frequently working within the Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court of Justice, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Chloe also appears in various administrative tribunals as part of her practice. Chloe defends a wide array of criminal charges under the Criminal Code , Controlled Drugs and...
Colleen McKeown is a dedicated lawyer practicing at Daniel Brown Law LLP in Toronto, Ontario, with a focus on Appellate Practice and Criminal Defence . Her work primarily involves criminal trials and appeals, where she has advocated in various courts, including the Ontario Court of Justice for Provincial Offences Act appeals, the Superior Court of Justice, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Colleen has been involved significantly with the Supreme Court of Canada...
Caroline Senini is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defence. Caroline, who practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Caroline is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Lindsay is dedicated to the practice of criminal trials and appeal work, bringing an attentive approach to representing clients. She appears at all court levels in Ontario, handling bail proceedings, trials, appeals, interventions, and constitutional applications in her pursuit of justice. Lindsay defends clients against various criminal charges, with a particular focus on defending sexual offences. She possesses considerable experience in constitutional litigation, routinely developing argum...
Theresa Donkor is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defence. Theresa, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Theresa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Rachel Wood is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defence. Rachel, who practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rachel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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.