Awardees work on white-collar crime, shaping boundaries of criminal defence
Canadian Lawyer is celebrating the best criminal law firms nationwide, which have been pushing the boundaries of complex and emerging legal issues, exploring the intersection between criminal law and social marginalization, and developing extensive capabilities beyond domestic criminal law.
Narwal Litigation LLP, based in Western Canada, stands out among 52 nominees by changing the game on white-collar crime. The firm’s lawyers litigate cases involving extraditions, mutual legal assistance, domestic prosecutions, and constitutional attacks to litigation and investigative techniques.
“We bring the same intensity to defending professionals facing potentially career-ending action as we do in defending our clients’ liberty in criminal cases,” Joven Narwal, the firm’s founding partner, tells Canadian Lawyer.
The firm challenges certain kinds of witnesses and advocates against programs that incentivize providing unreliable information. It navigates investigations into white-collar crime and organized crime with an understanding of administrative, criminal, and constitutional laws and with insight into capital markets.
Neuberger & Partners LLP, a winning Toronto firm, is shaping the boundaries of criminal defence, including in the areas of sexual and domestic assault. The firm is putting out a podcast that aims to broaden engagement with lawyers and others interacting with the courts.
“Success is not just about advancing clients’ rights and winning in court, but also making a difference,” says Joseph Neuberger, a partner at the firm. “We’ve tackled cases like abuse against men, bringing this social issue to the forefront.”
The firm also takes pride in its culture of philanthropy and makes a point of giving back to the community through fundraisers.
Edelson Foord Law, a winning Ottawa firm, focuses on nurturing young talent and on raising the bar for future generations. The firm has a reputation for protecting those in grave situations and has credibility with prosecutors and judges alike.
“Clients come to us in dire circumstances with many things on the line, including their freedom; we approach every case with that in mind and take seriously their profound trust in us,” says Brandon Crawford, a partner at the firm.
The firm has helped develop case law exploring the right to be tried within a reasonable time in sexual assault cases, handled cases involving the Police Services Act and drinking-and-driving defence, and navigated the complicated legal regime relating to sexual offences.
“The accolades are nice, but for us, they’re a reflection of the fact we’re doing well by our clients, and that’s what drives and motivates us,” says Tony Paciocco, another partner at the firm.
The winning firms include Narwal Litigation LLP, Neuberger & Partners LLP, Addario Law Group LLP, AGP LLP, and Edelson Foord Law.
Canadian Lawyer congratulates the Top Criminal Law Boutiques. The full list of winners can be found here.
