CPDonline.ca proudly welcomes Sam Puchala as a new Video Presenter and Contributor. Her first video is Case Comment: R. v. McLeod, et al., 2025 ONSC 4319 (Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Trial). A criminal defence lawyer quoted by CBC and featured across national coverage of the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial, Sam Puchala was the go-to legal voice […]

Pursuant to the Constitution and By-Laws of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association, I am pleased to inform all voting members that an election will be held this fall for the Executive and Directors of our Association for the 2025-2027 term. Members can access the By-Laws on the CLA website. Note – It is important that voting […]

Toronto, ON, August 12, 2025 – The Criminal Lawyers’ Association (CLA) has awarded the prestigious G. Arthur Martin Criminal Justice Medal to Michael D. Edelson C.S. The Martin Medal, presented annually since 1989, recognizes outstanding, lifetime contributions to criminal justice and is named after G. Arthur Martin, who was Canada’s greatest criminal advocate before becoming a […]

We extend our deepest condolences to the community of Wapekeka following the recent tragic shooting during a fly-in court sitting that resulted in the death of a community member. Our thoughts are with the family, loved ones, and all those who were present and affected by this devastating event. We hope the community finds strength […]

CPD Accredited: Forensic Investigations: Privacy concerns and wrongful convictions Please join Innocence Canada and the Canadian Society of Forensic Science as they host a panel that looks to explore identifying privacy rights when accessing justice.  Panellists include legal experts from Innocence Canada and the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC).  The […]

Ontario lawyers now have free access to the sentencing database rangefindr.ca CLA member Matthew Oleynik’s sentencing database rangefindr.ca is now free for lawyers anywhere in Ontario. Click here to register Thanks to LiRN and the Law Foundation of Ontario for making this possible. (rangefindr.ca is also free in many other jurisdictions. Click here for access.) Please note this is a […]

As previously communicated, the CLA Women’s and Diversity Committees jointly applied and were awarded one of seven LSO equity grants. The final report will be presented in the fall of 2025 at the LSO Equity Summit, where the CLA Women’s and Diversity Committees will have a unique opportunity to present our findings and propose actionable strategies […]

The Youth Justice Transformation Lab is honoured to host an insightful Lunch and Learn, featuring experts in youth justice Althea Coke, Criminal Defence Lawyer and Mary Birdsell, Executive Director and Lawyer at Justice For Children and Youth (JFCY). This session will provide essential knowledge on the important aspects of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) and the youth justice process, including diversion, as […]

Open to Full/Active CLA members only Applications for Mentees/Mentors Deadline is March 31, 2025 For the period of May 1 – November 30, 2025, 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 meet […]