Best Lawyers in Canada for Criminal Defence
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
Mark Brayford, K.C. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Bet-the-Company Litigation and Criminal Defence. Mark practices law in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Best Lawyers has recognized Mark Brayford, K.C. since 2006. 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 Mark Brayford, K.C. is held by other lawyers.
Matthew Friedberg is a criminal defence lawyer in Toronto, Ontario, and a partner at Caramanna Friedberg. He has devoted his career to criminal defence, representing individuals charged with a broad range of criminal offences before all levels of court in Ontario. Mr. Friedberg is regularly retained in serious and complex cases, including matters that have received significant media coverage. His criminal defence practice includes cases involving Homicide , Sexual Assault , Domestic Assault ,...
Mark Polley is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Administrative and Public Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defence. Mark practices law in Toronto, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized Mark Polley 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 Mark Polley is held by other lawyers.
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...
Dominic practices in regulatory law, disciplinary law, and criminal business law, with particular expertise in economic crimes. With nearly 35 years of experience working with public authorities, including 17 years with the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DCPP), he has a solid understanding of regulatory issues businesses face and has gained extensive experience in court. Providing both preventive and defensive services, Dominic assists and advises his clients on their regulatory...
Keara Lundrigan is managing partner at AGP LLP, a criminal defence boutique in Ottawa, Ontario. Called to the Bar in 2018, she began her career as an articling student with AGP LLP before coming a partner in 2023--a trajectory that reflects both her commitment to the firm and her rapid development as a skilled advocate. Keara's practice spans a wide range of criminal defence matters, including homicide, sexual assault, domestic assault, impaired driving and drug offences. Keara holds a Bachel...
Theresa Donkor is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Criminal Defence. Theresa practices law in Toronto, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized Theresa Donkor since 2026. 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 Theresa Donkor is held by other lawyers.
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...
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.
