Winners show importance of courtroom advocacy to effective criminal defence
This year, Canadian Lawyer’s best criminal law firms nationwide have solidified their reputations by delivering excellent defence in even the most demanding cases, thanks to their extensive preparation at every stage of proceedings.
The top criminal law boutiques for 2026–27 include Bottos Law Group, Daniel Brown Law LLP, Narwal Litigation LLP, Neuberger & Partners LLP, Weisberg Law Criminal Lawyers LLP, Addario Law Group, and AGP LLP.
Michael Spratt, partner at AGP LLP, notes that Canada’s Constitution specifically refers to criminal defence lawyers, but not other lawyers.
“When someone is arrested, they have the right to call a lawyer, and that means a criminal lawyer,” Spratt says.
“Defence lawyers are not fixers,” adds Dino Bottos of Bottos Law Group. “They are integral to maintaining integrity in the criminal justice system.”
“We are often quietly helping clients change for the better even in cases where we are going to defend the allegations at trial or an appeal,” Adam Weisberg, managing partner at Weisberg Law Criminal Lawyers LLP, tells Canadian Lawyer.
The latest edition of Canadian Lawyer’s report on top criminal law boutiques highlights the scale and significance of criminal defence work and criminal legal aid work within the country’s legal services sector.
The report identifies courtroom advocacy, an arena that tests arguments and reveals outcomes, as a key element in measuring criminal defence. Canada’s leading criminal law firms emphasize the value of the following to ensuring effective courtroom advocacy:
- meticulous knowledge of the record
- strong command of the law
- a strategy that can address potential hurdles
Apart from the advocacy skills openly displayed in courtrooms, the nation’s best criminal law boutiques have focused on the behind-the-scenes work necessary for building, managing, and resolving cases, encompassing the following:
- engaging in negotiations, disclosure strategy, and issue selection
- leveraging the firm’s reputation and credibility
- dealing with complexity, including issues involving digital evidence and parallel exposure
“While the criminal courtroom remains the central arena, it is only one component of a much broader strategic landscape,” says Joven Narwal, managing partner at Narwal Litigation LLP.
“It is the ongoing work of keeping the balance correct between the power of the state and the individual’s rights that keeps our system honest,” adds Hilary Dudding, partner at Daniel Brown Law LLP.
How winners emerged
To be eligible for consideration, firms needed to derive most of their business from their criminal law work. Canadian Lawyer asked readers from across the country to rank their top boutiques from the preliminary list, with the opportunity to nominate additional firms not listed.
This process resulted in 325 votes across the 47 nominated firms. To determine the winners, the team considered not only the quantitative results, but also input from senior members of the bar and regional diversity considerations.
Canadian Lawyer congratulates the top criminal law boutiques for 2026–27. See more information about the winners.
