Governance
The CLA is governed by a volunteer board of directors and executive, elected by its members. Board members represent every area of Ontario. We updated our By-laws in 2025.
Mission: We are the voice for criminal justice and civil liberties in Canada.
Our goals include:
- supporting and representing a strong, independent criminal defence bar;
- protecting rights guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms;
- promoting study, research and innovation in criminal defence practice;
- sharing knowledge through education, seminars, publications and member resources;
- creating forums for discussion about criminal justice and the administration of justice; and
- advocating for the criminal defence bar before governments, courts and policymakers.
2025-2027 CLA Executive
Lauren Wilhelm
Executive Director
2025-2027 Governing Body
Belleville/Napanee: Dawn Quelch
Durham/Victoria/Peterborough: Alan Richter
Grey/Bruce: Ram Shankar
Halidmand/Norfolk/Brantford: Vacant
Halton: Brendan Neil
Hamilton: Kaley Hepburn
Kingston: Sarah Black
London: Cassandra DeMelo
Niagara: Christopher Raimondo
Ottawa: Jolene Hansell
Ottawa: Cassandra Richards
Peel: Sweta Tejpal
Rideau/St. Lawrence: Mark MacDonald
Sault Ste. Marie: Anthony Orazietti
Simcoe/Muskoka: Emily Dyer
Sudbury: Michael Michel
Thunder Bay: George Joseph
Waterloo: Cooper Lord
Windsor: Lisa Carnelos
York Region: Daniella Guido
Toronto Regional Director: Adam Goodman
Toronto Regional Director: Mark Halfyard
Toronto Regional Director: Sara Little
Toronto Regional Director: Eric Neubauer
Toronto Regional Director: Chris Rudnicki
Toronto Regional Director: Marianne Salih
Toronto Regional Director: Karen Symes
Toronto Regional Director: Jordan Weisz
Indigenous Director: Ryan Stiles
Women’s Director: Danielle Landry
Women’s Director: Michelle Psutka
Recent Call Director: Nemee Bedar
Recent Call Director: Remy Sansanwal