Charney Law
2 lawyers · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 455 handling Criminal Defence.
About Charney Law
Charney Law is a small Toronto firm built around police accountability, criminal defence, protest defence and firearms law. Founder Davin Charney points to mistreatment experienced from police as a student as the reason for going to law school. Charney studied at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, and a small claims lawsuit against Waterloo Regional Police, filed as a third year law student, settled out of court for $9,000 in 2006 and led to co-founding the Police Accountability Small Claims Collective with fellow students. Charney began practicing law in 2008 and has since handled more than 100 lawsuits and complaints against 15 Ontario police forces and other public authorities, including the Chief Coroner's Office.
The firm works from a single office on Spadina Avenue in downtown Toronto, though its cases regularly reach communities well beyond the city, including Waterloo Region, Guelph and Blind River. Lawyer Tamar Friedman was called to the bar in 2016 and articled at the Ministry of the Attorney General's Crown Law Office (Civil), then served as Crown Counsel from 2016 to 2018, gaining experience in Crown liability, police liability and proceedings before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. Charney Law also takes on firearms licensing matters and prepares Gladue submissions for Indigenous clients in the criminal courts.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Davin Charney began practicing law in 2008 and has since handled more than 100 lawsuits and complaints against 15 Ontario police forces and other public authorities, including the Chief Coroner's Office.
- As a third year Osgoode Hall Law School student, Charney filed a small claims lawsuit against Waterloo Regional Police that settled out of court for $9,000 in 2006, which led to founding the Police Accountability Small Claims Collective with fellow law students.
- Tamar Friedman was called to the bar in 2016 and served as Crown Counsel at the Ministry of the Attorney General's Crown Law Office (Civil) from 2016 to 2018 before joining Charney Law.
In the community
- Charney Law publishes free public resources, including 'No ID' cards explaining when a person must identify themselves to police in Canada, sample Small Claims Court filing materials for Ontario and British Columbia, and sample police complaint letters.
- The firm's work has been covered by outlets including CBC News and the Toronto Star, on subjects ranging from police accountability lawsuits to firearms law and coroner's inquests in communities such as Waterloo Region, Guelph and Blind River.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
By appointmentLawyers 2
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 2016 · median 10 years in practice 1 of 2 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
Charney Law's office is on Spadina Avenue in downtown Toronto. It's an unusual home base for a firm that spends much of its time working outside city limits. Cases and coverage tied to the firm have come out of Waterloo Region, Guelph, Rockwood and as far as Blind River, reflecting a police accountability practice that follows its clients across Ontario rather than staying close to the office.
Frequently asked questions
- Can Charney Law help if I think I was mistreated or hurt by police?
- Yes. The firm's core practice is civil lawsuits and complaints against police forces and other public authorities, and it has handled more than 100 such cases against 15 Ontario police forces.
- I was arrested at a protest, can Charney Law defend me?
- The firm's criminal defence practice includes protest defence, work its lawyers describe as personal: "We know what it's like to be arrested for protesting. We've been there ourselves."
- Can Charney Law help with a firearms licence problem or a seizure?
- Yes. The firm handles Possession and Acquisition Licence disputes, judicial reviews, firearms seizures, prohibition orders, peace bonds and related criminal charges.
- Does Charney Law provide Gladue court support for Indigenous clients?
- Yes. The firm prepares Gladue submissions and represents Indigenous clients in the criminal courts.
- Does Charney Law get involved in coroner's inquests?
- The firm's media coverage includes work connected to coroner's inquests in Waterloo Region and elsewhere in Ontario, reported by outlets including CBC News.
- Where is Charney Law located and how do I reach the firm?
- The office is at 197 Spadina Avenue, Suite 400, in downtown Toronto. The firm can be reached at 647-346-9247 or by email at amy@charneylaw.ca.
Where to find them
197 Spadina Avenue, Suite 400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 2C8 · 647-346-9247
Similar firms in City of Toronto
Auger Hollingsworth Accident & Injury Lawyers is an Ottawa personal injury firm founded in 2004 by Richard Auger, who was soon joined by his wife and law partner Brenda Hollingsworth. It represents injured clients acr…
Personal Injury
Insurance Law
Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Criminal Defence
A multi-office law firm operating across Ontario with deep expertise in criminal defence, personal injury litigation, and civil litigation. The firm serves clients in Mississauga, Brampton, Milton, Toronto, and surrou…
Criminal DefencePersonal InjuryCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Legal Aid
AAA Law LLP is a Toronto law firm offering trial and litigation, family law, and Canadian immigration services, along with employment law, personal injury, and criminal defence work. It was founded by Abdalla Ali Al-B…
Business & Corporate LawCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Family Law
Immigration LawListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗