Cynthia Fromstein Barristers
3 lawyers · Established 1984 · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 455 handling Criminal Defence.
About Cynthia Fromstein Barristers
Cynthia Fromstein Barristers is a criminal defence firm based on Bloor Street East in Toronto, taking cases across the GTA in Brampton, Scarborough, and North York and throughout Ontario. Founder Cynthia Fromstein has practised criminal law exclusively for over thirty years, after earning a B.A. from the University of Toronto in 1976, an LL.B. from the University of Victoria Faculty of Law in 1980, and being called to the Ontario bar in 1983. Before focusing on defence work, Fromstein was retained by the Attorney General to cross examine young persons in sexual assault cases and to represent complainants challenging a third party records application. That work on both sides of the courtroom is part of why the firm is recognized as an authority on crime and mental health and on defending HIV positive individuals charged with aggravated sexual assault.
Two other lawyers work alongside the founder. David Connally articled with the firm and now practises independently while continuing to collaborate with Fromstein on cases, and Jamie Kopman, who earned a J.D. from Bond University in 2014, also practises independently in association with the firm. Clients come from a range of ethnic and language backgrounds, and the firm offers translation services to accommodate them.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Cynthia Fromstein has practised criminal law in Toronto for over three decades, after a B.A. from the University of Toronto (1976), an LL.B. from the University of Victoria Faculty of Law (1980), and being called to the Ontario bar in 1983.
- Fromstein received the 2013 HALCO Kreppner Award, given by the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario to recognize sustained advocacy on behalf of people living with HIV.
- Fromstein is a part time member of the Ontario Review Board, a public appointment for a term running from August 2022 to August 2027, which reviews the cases of people found not criminally responsible for an offence.
- The firm is on the Legal Aid Ontario roster for criminal and administrative tribunal matters.
- David Connally, now in independent practice, articled with the firm and continues to work with it on cases, and Jamie Kopman, also in independent practice with the firm, earned a J.D. from Bond University in 2014.
In the community
- Fromstein has a long record of work with HALCO (the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario), including case consultation for community legal clinic lawyers and policy analysts and participation in strategic working groups on the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure, work recognized with the clinic's 2013 Kreppner Award.
- Fromstein represented PASAN (the Prisoners' HIV/AIDS Support Action Network) at a coroner's inquest into the death in custody of a person living with HIV.
- Fromstein is a member of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and of Innocence Canada.
- Fromstein has been featured in the documentary Positive Women: Exposing Injustice, which examines the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure in Canada.
- Fromstein has presented on trial advocacy, cross examination, and HIV criminalization through the Advocates' Society and has taught on criminal procedure and HIV related legal issues at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
By appointmentLawyers 3
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Law schools
- Bond University 1 of 3 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
The firm's office is at 370 Bloor Street East at the eastern edge of downtown Toronto, steps from the Bloor and Sherbourne subway station on the Bloor Danforth line.
Because a criminal charge can mean bringing a spouse, parent, or friend to a meeting on short notice, the firm also offers free client parking at the Bloor Street East location, something worth knowing for anyone driving in from Brampton, Scarborough, or elsewhere in the GTA rather than taking transit.
Frequently asked questions
- I've been charged with a drug offence in Brampton or Scarborough, can Cynthia Fromstein Barristers represent me?
- Yes. The firm's lawyers take drug importation, production, trafficking, and possession cases across the GTA, including Brampton and Scarborough, not just in downtown Toronto.
- Does the firm handle cases where mental illness is a factor in the charge?
- Yes. Criminal law and mental health is a focus of the firm, and founder Cynthia Fromstein also sits as a part time member of the Ontario Review Board, which reviews cases of people found not criminally responsible for an offence.
- I'm HIV positive and facing an aggravated sexual assault charge over non-disclosure, does the firm have experience with this?
- Yes. The firm is recognized for defending HIV positive individuals charged with aggravated sexual assault, and Fromstein received HALCO's 2013 Kreppner Award for advocacy on behalf of people living with HIV.
- How long has Cynthia Fromstein Barristers been practising criminal defence in Toronto?
- Founder Cynthia Fromstein has practised criminal law exclusively in Toronto for over thirty years, after being called to the Ontario bar in 1983.
- Is legal aid accepted, and can I get a translator if English isn't my first language?
- The firm is on the Legal Aid Ontario roster for criminal and administrative tribunal matters, and it offers translation services for clients from different language backgrounds.
- Where is the office and is parking available?
- The office is at 370 Bloor Street East in Toronto, steps from the Bloor and Sherbourne subway station, and the firm offers free client parking on site.
Where to find them
370 Bloor Street East, Toronto, ON, M4W 3M6 · 416-960-8111
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Criminal DefenceAdministrative & Regulatory LawListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗