Open to Full/Active CLA members only. Applications for mentees/mentors – deadline is March 31, 2026 For the period of May 1 to November 30, 2026, recent calls (new to 5 years) will be paired with seasoned CLA members. Mentors will be assigned or matched up by the Mentoring Committee. During the mentorship period, mentors and mentees will […]
Articles
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2026 CLA Mentorship Program – Now Accepting Applications for Interested Mentors and Mentees
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CLA Statement concerning allegations surrounding the events involving Sudine Riley
The Criminal Lawyers’ Association, in conjunction with the Women’s Committee and Diversity Committee of the CLA, is deeply concerned by the allegations surrounding the events involving Sudine Riley on Friday, January 23, 2026 at the Durham courthouse. As stated in a Press Release from Ms. Riley’s counsel, dated January 26, 2026, Ms. Riley, a Black […]
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Membership Offer – Receive up to 15 months for the price of 12, PLUS new members qualify for a bonus offer
Limited Bonus Member Discounts include: Additional benefits: _________________________________________________ FULL MEMBERS – practising criminal defence lawyers IN Ontario: STUDENT MEMBERS – students-at-law or students in an accredited law school OBSERVER MEMBERS – practising criminal defence lawyers OUTSIDE Ontario: Affiliate Membership – An Affiliate member shall be any person who shall apply for such membership that is a practising lawyer in good standing with their legal regulatory […]
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Happy Holidays from the Criminal Lawyers’ Association
The team at the Criminal Lawyers’ Association (CLA) would like to extend our best wishes to you all for a safe and peaceful holiday season. We hope you enjoy your time and festivities with family and friends, and we look forward to what the new year brings! Holiday Office Hours The CLA Board of Directors […]
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Announcing the CLA Women’s Committee’s launch of the Extended Leave Roster
The Criminal Lawyers’ Association’s (CLA) Women’s Committee is proud to announce the Extended Leave Roster. Developed by the 2023–2025 Women’s Committee and carried forward by the 2025–2027 Women’s Committee, this initiative marks real, actionable leadership in tackling gender-based barriers in criminal defence practice. With its launch, the CLA becomes one of the first legal professional associations in […]
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CLA Response to Recent Provincial and Federal calls for “Tough on Crime” Policies.
Recent calls from politicians at both the federal and provincial levels to “get tough on crime” are misguided. Proposals such as automatically denying bail, imposing American-style “three-strikes” laws, and resurrecting unconstitutional mandatory minimums strip judges of discretion and undermines fairness in our courts. These measures are not solutions to the problems Canada faces today — […]
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Why women lawyers represent men accused of sexual crimes
By the Criminal Lawyers’ Association Women’s Committee In response to the Hockey Canada verdicts, a familiar misogynistic refrain popped up again: why would a woman defend a man accused of sexual assault? Where are their moral compasses? How do they sleep at night? The answer is simple. A criminal lawyer, regardless of gender, represents individuals […]
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Membership Offer – Receive up to 15 months for the price of 12, PLUS new members qualify for a bonus offer
Limited Bonus Member Discounts include: Additional benefits: _________________________________________________ FULL MEMBERS – practising criminal defence lawyers IN Ontario: STUDENT MEMBERS – students-at-law or students in an accredited law school OBSERVER MEMBERS – practising criminal defence lawyers OUTSIDE Ontario: Affiliate Membership – An Affiliate member shall be any person who shall apply for such membership that is a practising lawyer in good standing with their legal regulatory […]
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Judge-Led Intensive Case Management Court (JICMC) Certificate system
The “guilty plea certificate” The CLA stands firmly against the new Judge-Led Intensive Case Management Court (JICMC) Certificate system designed to incentivize guilty pleas among unrepresented individuals. The CLA strongly urges its members to refuse to accept these “guilty plea certificates” out of concern for our members’ own professional liability, civil liability, and for ethical […]
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CLA Submissions on The Use of Lethal Force by Toronto Police Service
The Criminal Lawyers Association was among a select group of organizations invited to make submissions to Justice Iacobucci on the following topics: TPS policies, procedures and practices TPS training, and training at the Ontario Police College Equipment used by TPS Psychological assessments and other evaluation of TPS police officers and officer candidates Supervision and oversight […]
Posted by Daniel Brown in Articles on July 25, 2014
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