G. Arthur Martin Criminal Justice Medal awarded to Michael D. Edelson C.S. by Criminal Lawyers’ Association
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 leading jurist with the Ontario Court of Appeal. Michael D. Edelson C.S. will receive the Medal at a special awards luncheon on November 22, 2025 in Toronto.
In being chosen by a committee composed of CLA President Boris Bytensky, a Justice of the Ontario Court of Appeal, a legal academic and a seasoned criminal defence Lawyer, Mr. Edelson becomes the 37th recipient and joins the ranks of famed lawyers and jurists headlined by G. Arthur Martin himself, the first winner of the award.
In more than 40 years of practice, Michael has distinguished himself as a formidable opponent, a fearless cross-examiner, a teacher and a mentor. He was born and raised in Ottawa and attended Carleton and Ottawa Universities. He graduated from Ottawa University law school in 1975.
Michael Neville, president of the Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa (DCAO) between 1987 and 1992, noted:
“… Michael has been a friend for close to 40 years. Nonetheless, I have the highest regard for Michael, as a lawyer and a person. His standards for learned, effective and ethical defending of his clients are well known and highly respected by the bar and the bench. Michael and I defended a number of major cases together. It was a pleasure to have Mike as co-counsel. Always prepared, with his notes for cross well tagged with his trademark sticky notes. Every cross, every submission of the highest quality. Every judge attentive. His results are many, successful and often in high profile, pressure-filled cases.”
Michael was a lecturer and instructor at the bar admission course and for many years taught advanced trial advocacy at Ottawa University. He gave occasional lectures at Queens Law school and at Algonquin College. He has been on the faculty for many conferences including the CLA conferences, Federation of Law Societies National Program, DCAO Montebello and Osgoode Professional Development. He has participated in education programs for judges of the Ontario and Superior Courts of Justice. He has also frequently lectured in the Law Society Continuing Legal Education Program. His long and successful career is even more impressive when you consider what impact he has made not just in his own endeavors but on the careers of others as well. In the fine tradition of a true consummate professional, he has made those who came after him better lawyers.
Marie Henein, the 2023 Martin Medal Award Recipient, noted:
“Michael is a true champion not only of his clients but of criminal law and in particular, the role of defence lawyers. He is committed to teaching young lawyers and gives endlessly of his own time to ensure that he is accessible to young lawyers, available to work through difficult problems with them and importantly, to inspire them in their work. He leads by example. He is an unapologetic, tenacious advocate who values our work.”
Mr. Edelson is a Past President of the DCAO and longtime members of both the Criminal Lawyers’ Association and Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa. He was previously named a Fellow with the American College of Trial Lawyers and is a multi-time winner of “Criminal Defence Lawyer of the Year, Ottawa”, Best Lawyers®.
James Foord, president of DCAO between 2012 and 2014, merged his firm with Michael Edelson’s firm in 2022 into what is now Edelson Foord. Mr. Foord commented:
“…Like many great professionals, Michael is blessed with an impressive complement of talents – a razor-sharp intellect, an encyclopedic memory and an unparalleled ability to detect unreliability in a witness’s story. But he has never relied on these talents. Michael’s degree of preparation and meticulous attention to detail are legendary. If an aspiring young criminal lawyer needed a role model for what it takes to become successful, there can be no better template than the work ethic of Michael Edelson. He will outwork everyone.
…
Among judges and criminal litigators, Michael is probably best known for his powerful, meticulous, and devastating cross examinations. He is tough and direct, but always professional and a gentleman to deal with. Michael is a formidable adversary, always honest and always uber-prepared.”
Justice Anne London-Weinstein of the Superior Court of Justice, stated:
“Michael Edelson is a lawyer’s lawyer. This description applies in both the figurative and literal sense. Michael sets an example to the bar through the fearless manner in which he defends not only his clients, but also bedrock principles like the presumption of innocence, and the right to make full answer and defence. However, he also has on many occasions come to the aid of counsel in those rare circumstances where counsel requires counsel in the middle of a case. Counsel in need of counsel could have no better advocate than Michael Edelson. In the case in which he helped Neil on a recusal motion, no invoice was ever provided. His advocacy was superb and the recusal granted.”
Justice David M. Paciocco of the Court of Appeal for Ontario indicated:
“Although Michael gained his public notoriety in the high-profile cases, most of Michael’s clients were and remain “ordinary people”. No matter how many major files he had on his desk when we worked together, Michael was always a regular fixture in the provincial courts, doing one and two-day trials for clients. Every one of them received the same commitment and skill that his most august clients received.”
CLA President Boris Bytensky notes:
“For nearly 50 years, Michael Edelson has not only been one of the true leaders of the defence Bar in Eastern Ontario, but he has also been one of the finest lawyers in all of Canada. He has deservedly drawn universal praise and respect from his fellow defence counsel, from prosecutors and from the judiciary for his skill, his integrity, his passion for criminal law, and for his dedication to education, mentorship and leadership.”
For more information on the G. Arthur Martin Criminal Justice Medal, including the list of past recipients, please visit https://criminallawyers.ca/about-us/awards/.
The Criminal Lawyers’ Association is a not-for-profit organization representing more than 1,800 defence lawyers in Canada. It is the largest organization of its kind in Canada. The mandate of the association is to serve as a strong voice for criminal lawyers and other stakeholders concerned with the quality of criminal justice in Canada. https://www.criminallawyers.ca/
John Chagnon
Executive Director
Criminal Lawyers’ Association
ed@criminallawyers.ca
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