Cooper, Sandler, Shime & Schwartzentruber LLP
5 lawyers · Established 1953 · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 455 handling Criminal Defence.
Virtual appointmentsVirtual appointmentsAbout Cooper, Sandler, Shime & Schwartzentruber LLP
Cooper, Sandler, Shime & Schwartzentruber LLP is a criminal defence firm based in downtown Toronto that has practised in the trial and appellate courts since 1953. The firm's name has changed with its partnership over the decades; it operated for a time as Cooper, Sandler, Shime & Bergman LLP before taking its current name. It's a seven-member firm today, handling matters that range from impaired driving and assault to homicide, drug offences, and white collar crime, with its lawyers appearing at every level of court up to the Supreme Court of Canada.
The firm was founded by the late Austin M. Cooper, Q.C., who practised criminal law for 60 years and became known as the dean of the criminal bar. Cooper received the Criminal Lawyers' Association's G. Arthur Martin Medal and, in 2013, an honorary Doctorate of Laws from the Law Society of Ontario. Founding partner Mark J. Sandler is a Law Society certified Criminal Law Specialist who served three terms as a Law Society of Ontario Bencher and has acted as counsel or senior advisor on more than 20 public inquiries, including the Goudge Inquiry into pediatric forensic pathology. One of the firm's partners holds a doctorate in medical genetics from the University of British Columbia, earned before turning to the practice of law.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Founded in 1953 by Austin M. Cooper, Q.C., who practised criminal law for 60 years and died in 2013.
- The firm operated for a period as Cooper, Sandler, Shime & Bergman LLP before taking its current name.
- Austin Cooper received the Criminal Lawyers' Association's G. Arthur Martin Medal, the Advocates' Society Medal for advocacy, and the Douglas K. Laidlaw Medal for Excellence in Advocacy, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws by the Law Society of Ontario in 2013.
- Founding partner Mark J. Sandler is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Criminal Law and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws by the Law Society of Ontario in 2025.
- Partner Jonathan A. Shime received the James Kreppner Award in 2013, recognizing work advocating on behalf of people living with HIV.
In the community
- Mark J. Sandler has chaired the Law Foundation of Ontario and taught as an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School.
- Jonathan A. Shime is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, teaching trial advocacy and coaching competitive trial teams, and has instructed at the Toronto Police College.
- Megan M. Schwartzentruber has been a supervising lawyer with Pro Bono Students Canada since 2012, co-coached the University of Toronto's mooting team from 2015 to 2020, and sits on the Legal Aid Ontario Gladue panel.
- A partner at the firm has volunteered as appellate counsel for the Summary Conviction Appeal Court Pro Bono Program at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and with Pro Bono Students Canada.
- Firm lawyers have served as counsel in public inquiries including the Goudge Inquiry into pediatric forensic pathology, the Independent Civilian Review into Missing Person Investigations in Toronto, and a public inquiry into long term care home safety in St. Thomas.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Virtual appointments
By appointment
In-person servicesLawyers 5
Certified Specialists
A designation granted by the Law Society of Ontario, not a self-declared area of focus.
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 1980–2025 · median 16 years in practice 5 of 5 lawyers
- Law schools
- Osgoode Hall Law School (2), University of Toronto (2), Lincoln Alexander School of Law 5 of 5 lawyers
- Languages on the roster
- Arabic, English, French
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
The firm's office is Suite 1900 in the 23 storey tower at 439 University Avenue, at the intersection of University Avenue and Dundas Street in downtown Toronto. It shares University Avenue with the Toronto Courthouse at 361 University Avenue, a branch of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice where criminal trials are heard, along with Osgoode Hall further south. For a firm built entirely around criminal defence, working out of the same street as the courthouse where much of that work plays out isn't incidental.
Frequently asked questions
- I've been charged with impaired driving in Toronto, can Cooper, Sandler, Shime & Schwartzentruber represent me?
- Yes. Driving offences, including impaired driving, over 80, dangerous driving, and careless driving charges, are among the areas the firm regularly handles.
- Does the firm handle white collar and fraud cases?
- Yes. The firm lists white collar and corporate crime, along with fraud, among its practice areas, including matters such as tax evasion.
- What if I'm in custody and need to reach a lawyer right away?
- The firm operates an in custody hotline at 416-585-1700 that accepts collect calls, in addition to its main line at (416) 585-9191.
- How long has the firm been practising criminal law in Toronto?
- Since 1953. The firm has practised in the trial and appellate courts in downtown Toronto continuously since then.
- Does the firm represent clients in public inquiries, not just criminal trials?
- Yes. Firm lawyers have acted as counsel in public inquiries and commissions of inquiry, including the Goudge Inquiry into pediatric forensic pathology and reviews of missing persons investigations and long term care home safety.
- Where is the office located and what are its hours?
- Suite 1900 at 439 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Y8. The office is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on weekends.
Where to find them
Suite 1900 - 439 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Y8 · 416-585-9191
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