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 […]

The team at the Criminal Lawyers’ Association would like to extend our best wishes to you 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 and office will be […]

The Criminal Lawyers’ Association is shocked by the recent events in Red Deer, Alberta, where a member of the local defence bar was jailed for comments made in court, after Justice Gordon Yake of the Alberta Court of Justice ordered the court sheriff to “take him away”. The president of the Edmonton Criminal Trial Lawyers’ […]

The Criminal Lawyers’ Association (CLA) joins the Criminal Defence Lawyer Association of Manitoba in condemning the Manitoba NDP’s actions in expelling Mark Wasilyw, along with their assertion that defence lawyers or those who associate with defence lawyers are unfit to be in their caucus.  Everyone in Canada charged with a criminal offence, no matter how […]

The CLA Board of Directors is extending $500 bursaries to assist up to 20 current members with travel/accommodation/registration fee expenses to attend the upcoming 52nd Fall Conference happening November 15 and 16. These bursaries are open to all members across Ontario that are sole practitioners or work for a law firm with less than 5 […]

Toronto, ON, July 29, 2024 – The Criminal Lawyers’ Association (CLA) has awarded the prestigious G. Arthur Martin Criminal Justice Medal to The Honourable Bruce Durno. 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 […]