Caramanna, Friedberg LLP
8 lawyers · Established 2002 · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 455 handling Criminal Defence.
Virtual appointments
Virtual appointmentsAbout Caramanna, Friedberg LLP
Clients rate this firm highly on Google.
Caramanna, Friedberg LLP is a criminal defence firm based on Bay Street in downtown Toronto, founded in 2002 by Sal Caramanna and Matthew Friedberg. The firm's small team of lawyers handles criminal and quasi-criminal matters across Ontario's courts, from assault, drug, and driving charges up to fraud, homicide, and professional discipline proceedings. A family lawyer also practices in association with the firm, so its clients aren't limited to criminal work alone.
The firm takes an unusual public position for a law practice: its website states it won't claim to be "the best, the top, or your only choice," pointing instead to Law Society of Ontario rules against unsubstantiated advertising. That stance hasn't kept outside recognition away. Canadian Lawyer magazine named Caramanna Friedberg among Ontario's top criminal law boutique firms for 2022 to 23, and the firm is listed in Best Lawyers, where founding partner Matthew Friedberg has been recognized in Criminal Defence since 2025. The firm also runs an articling program, typically taking on two students a year for hands on training that runs from client visits to trial work.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Founded in 2002 by Sal Caramanna and Matthew Friedberg.
- Named among Ontario's top criminal law boutique firms for 2022 to 23 by Canadian Lawyer magazine.
- Listed in Best Lawyers, with founding partner Matthew Friedberg recognized in Criminal Defence since 2025.
In the community
- The firm runs an articling program that typically brings on two students a year, giving them hands on training that includes client visits, disclosure review, Charter applications, and eventually trials and pleas for summary conviction and provincial offence matters.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
LGBTQ+ friendly
Parking available
Virtual appointments
By appointment
In-person servicesLawyers 8
Camille Coleman
Associate
Criminal Defence
Diana Vasilescu
Family Lawyer
Family Law
John Fennel
Criminal Defence
Lilit Izakelian
Criminal Defence
Matthew A. Friedberg
Founding Partner
Criminal Defence
Nicholas Buhite
Associate
Criminal Defence
Salvatore Caramanna
Founding Partner
Criminal Defence
Thomson Ho
Criminal Defence
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 1997–2025 · median 11 years in practice 7 of 8 lawyers
- Law schools
- Osgoode Hall Law School (2), Hofstra University School of Law, University of Pennsylvania, University of Toronto, University of Western Ontario, University of Windsor 7 of 8 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
The firm's office sits at Bay and Gerrard, on what's known in Toronto as the Bay Street Corridor, a stretch of the downtown core known for its concentration of legal, financial, and medical offices, the kind of neighbourhood built around firms like this one. It's also close to the University of Toronto and Queen's Park, in the same blocks where much of the city's legal and political business gets done.
Frequently asked questions
- What kinds of cases does Caramanna, Friedberg LLP handle?
- The firm's practice covers criminal and quasi-criminal defence work in Ontario, ranging from assault, drug, and driving offences up to fraud, homicide, and professional discipline hearings.
- Does Caramanna, Friedberg LLP offer a free consultation?
- Yes. People charged with a criminal offence can book a free half hour consultation with the firm.
- Can I reach a lawyer outside of regular business hours?
- The firm takes calls 24/7, so clients can speak with someone or get a callback outside normal office hours.
- Does the firm accept legal aid certificates?
- Many of the firm's lawyers accept legal aid certificates, location permitting. Clients over the financial cutoff may still qualify for a Legal Aid Ontario contribution agreement, a loan from LAO toward retaining a lawyer.
- Does Caramanna, Friedberg LLP handle family law matters too?
- A family lawyer practices in association with the firm, alongside its criminal defence lawyers, so family law clients don't have to look elsewhere.
- How long has Caramanna, Friedberg LLP been practising?
- The firm was founded in 2002 by Sal Caramanna and Matthew Friedberg, who still lead the practice today.
Where to find them
700 Bay St. Suite 405, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z6 · 416-924-5969
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