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 […]
News
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Announcing the CLA Women’s Committee’s launch of the Extended Leave Roster
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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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CPDonline.ca Proudly Welcomes Sam Puchala (paid advertisement)
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 […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on September 4, 2025
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Now accepting Nominations for the CLA Executive and Directors for the 2025-2027 term
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 […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on August 12, 2025
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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 […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on
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Statement regarding Wapekeka Court Incident
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 […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on August 6, 2025
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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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CPD Accredited: Forensic Investigations: Privacy concerns and wrongful convictions
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 […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on June 4, 2025
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Ontario lawyers now have free access to the sentencing database rangefindr.ca
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 […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on June 3, 2025
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Message from the members of the LSO Equity Grant subcommittee – participants and remuneration
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 […]
Posted by John Chagnon in News on March 28, 2025
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