TRIAL AND APPEAL LAWYERS
Offices in Toronto and Atlantic Canada
OUR FIRM
We understand our clients cannot afford to lose. They need results, not excuses. We regularly act on the most difficult types of trials and appeals—cases ranging from murder, to sexual assault, to driving offences, to professional regulation offences, and more. Many of our clients are established professionals (doctors, lawyers, business people, and athletes) who face wrongful or false allegations. But we also take on good causes for people who could not otherwise afford effective representation—especially when their case involves corrupt or dishonest allegations. We have a team of trial and appeal lawyers as well as academic scholars. This broad perspective allows for a creative, innovative, and vigorous approach to the defence of criminal and regulatory allegations. With offices in Toronto, Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton, we regularly appear at all levels of criminal court in Southern Ontario as well as Atlantic Canada.
CRIMINAL TRIALS
Our clients often face false, corrupt, or unreliable allegations. We are experienced criminal trial lawyers who bring decades of expertise to the defence of complex criminal cases. We are also academic scholars and university professors, who study and teach on various subjects including the prevention of wrongful convictions. This broad perspective allows us to employ creative strategies in defending against false allegations.
CRIMINAL APPEALS
Many of our clients retain us after they have been convicted of a serious crime. By that point they facing a challenging situation; the criminal justice seeks finality, and it can be very difficult to appeal certain issues. Expert analysis is required to identify legal issues that will provide a foothold on appeal. The best appeal lawyers know the law and understand how to frame the issues on appeal. We do our best to craft creative appellate strategies that embrace the latest academic literature on criminal justice issues.
Toronto appeal lawyers, Nathan Gorham and Breana Vandebeek, address the media following a hearing at the Court of Appeal.
Appellate lawyer Breana Vandebeek arguing an appeal before the Supreme Court of Canada.
PROFESSIONAL DEFENCE
We often act for professionals facing allegations of misconduct in criminal court or regulatory bodies. In the past, we have successfully represented doctors, lawyers, police officers, and athletes against a wide range of allegations.
IN THE NEWS
Murder Appeal Allowed (2023)
On December 6, 2023, the Ontario Court of Appeal ordered a new trial. Toronto murder lawyers, Nathan Gorham and Breana Vandebeek, argued on appeal that the trial judge erred during his instructions to the jury.
Not Responsible, Murder (2020)
Toronto criminal lawyers, Nathan Gorham and Breana Vandebeek, defended 4 counts of first-degree murder. On November 22, 2020, the Fredericton, New Brunswick jury found the defendant not criminally responsible.
Murder, Reduced and Stayed (2024)
The defendant was charged with first degree murder following a botched robbery in a school parking lot. Toronto murder lawyer, Nathan Gorham, negotiated the reduction of the charge to manslaughter and then a stay of the charges completely.
Manslaughter Stayed (2021)
On April 1, 2021, Fredericton, New Brunswick prosecutors stayed the manslaughter charge. Toronto criminal lawyer, Nathan Gorham, had challenged prosecution doctors in cross-examination, demonstrating that the death could have been an accident.
Released, After Murder Appeal (2023)
On March 22, 2023, the defendant was released from custody following a successful murder appeal. Toronto appeal lawyer, Breana Vandebeek, had argued that the trial judge misdirected the jury on the partial murder defence of provocation.
Acquitted, Murder (2021)
The defendant was charged with murder following a shooting outside of a nightclub. Toronto criminal lawyer, Nathan Gorham, challenged the Crown's main witness in cross-examination. On September 2, 2021, the trial judge entered an acquittal.
Murder appeal allowed (2019)
The defendant was charged and convicted of murder following a disputed drug transaction. Toronto criminal lawyers, Nathan Gorham and Breana Vandebeek, acted for him on appeal. The appeal was allowed and the defendant
Not Guilty, Murder (2021)
In August 2021, a Toronto court acquitted the defendant of murder but found him found him guilty of manslaughter. Toronto criminal lawyers Nathan Gorham and Breana Vandebeek successfully argued the prosecution failed to prove the intent for murder.
Manslaughter Stayed (2021)
On April 1, 2021, Fredericton, New Brunswick prosecutors stayed the manslaughter charge. Toronto criminal lawyer, Nathan Gorham, had challenged prosecution doctors in cross-examination, demonstrating that the death could have been an accident.
Not Guilty, Murder (2023)
Toronto murder lawyers, Nathan Gorham and Breana Vandebeek, challenged the Crown witnesses at trial. On May 2, 2023, the Crown agreed that the murder charge should be dismissed in exchange for a plea to manslaughter.
Not Guilty, Murder (2023)
On March 16, 2023, on Oshawa jury returned a verdict of not guilty of first degree murder but guilty of manslaughter. Toronto murder lawyers, Nathan Gorham and Breana Vandebeek, later secured a sentence of time served (appx 4 years).
Released, After Murder Appeal (2023)
On March 22, 2023, the defendant was released from custody following a successful murder appeal. Toronto appeal lawyer, Breana Vandebeek, had argued that the trial judge misdirected the jury on the partial murder defence of provocation.
OUR TEAM
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Nathan Gorham Partner
(416) 410-4814 | gorham@gvlaw.ca
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Breana Vandebeek Partner
(647) 973-5402 | breana@gvlaw.ca
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Michael Marin Counsel
marin@gvlaw.ca
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Alexander Pate Associate
(902) 802-5442 | pate@gvlaw.ca
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Adrian Forsythe Associate
(506) 259-9252 | forsythe@gvlaw.ca
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Ana Mihajlovic Articling Student
(403) 860-9733 | ana@gvlaw.ca
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Beth Brown-Kirk Director of Finance
(506) 866-0363 | Brown@gvlaw.ca
Our Offices
TORONTO OFFICE
100 - 36 Lombard Street, Toronto, ON, M5C 2X3
Tel: (416) 410-4814 | info@gvlaw.ca
Fax: (866) 463-7351 | Toll free: (866) 463-7353
SAINT JOHN OFFICE
201 - 36 Princess Street, Saint John, NB, E2L 1K2
Tel: (506) 800-2036 | info@gvlaw.ca
Fax: (866) 463-7351 | Toll free: (866) 463-7353
Murder
We regularly defend homicide cases (first degree murder, second degree murder, manslaughter, criminal negligence) throughout Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Read more…
Appeals
Much of our practice is devoted to appealing convictions at all levels of appeal court. We regularly appear before the Ontario Court of Appeal and New Brunswick Court of Appeal. Read more…
Drug offences
The trial and appeal lawyers at Gorham Vandebeek frequently defend all types of drug cases, including trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, importing, and production of controlled substances. Read more…
Fireams
The criminal defence attorneys at at Gorham Vandebeek regularly defend people charged with, or appealing against, weapons (firearms) and drug offences. Read more…
Driving
The criminal defence attorneys at at Gorham Vandebeek regularly defend people charged with, or appealing against, weapons (firearms) and drug offences. Read more…
Discipline
We regularly act for professionals (doctors, lawyers, and athletes) against professional discipline allegations before professional governing bodies or other administrative tribunals. Read more…
Theft
We regularly act for professionals (doctors, lawyers, and athletes) against professional discipline allegations before professional governing bodies or other administrative tribunals. Read more…
Sexual Assault
Our lawyers often assist people who are charged with sexual offences (sexual assault, sexual interference, etc) and those appealing against convictions for sexual related offences. Read more…
Assaults
Our lawyers often assist people who are charged with sexual offences (sexual assault, sexual interference, etc) and those appealing against convictions for sexual related offences. Read more…
Contact us
Toronto: (416) 410-4814.
New Brunswick: (506) 800-2036.
General inquiries: info@gvlaw.ca.
Toll free for either office: (866) 463-7353.
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