David G. Bayliss Professional Corporation
1 lawyer · Established 2010 · City of Toronto, York Region
One of 14 law firms listed in Downtown Toronto, and one of 3 handling Criminal Defence.
Accepts Legal Aid
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Accepts Legal AidFree consultationAbout David G. Bayliss Professional Corporation
David G. Bayliss Professional Corporation is a small criminal defence firm based in downtown Toronto, with a second office in Newmarket. Founder David G. Bayliss earned a B.A. in history from the University of Waterloo in 1979 and a law degree from the University of Toronto in 1982, then articled with criminal defence lawyers Jack Pinkofsky and James Lockyer before being called to the Ontario Bar in 1984. Bayliss later became a partner at Pinkofsky Lockyer, which grew into one of Canada's largest criminal law partnerships, before setting up this practice in 2010. The firm now defends individuals and corporations facing all types of criminal charges, with particular experience in murder, manslaughter, sexual assault, and drug trafficking or possession cases, and a stated focus on Charter of Rights issues.
Much of that career has run alongside wrongful conviction work. Bayliss is a former longtime director of the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted (now Innocence Canada) and a former Toronto director of the Criminal Lawyers Association, and acted with lawyer James Lockyer on the case that led to William Mullins Johnson's exoneration, after 12 years in prison for a murder conviction later overturned. The firm accepts Legal Aid Ontario certificates in certain cases and is a designated member of Legal Aid Ontario's Complex Criminal Case Rate Panel.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Called to the Ontario Bar in 1984 after articling with criminal defence lawyers Jack Pinkofsky and James Lockyer.
- Became a partner at Pinkofsky Lockyer before establishing David G. Bayliss Professional Corporation in 2010.
- Filed the factum with lawyer James Lockyer that led the Ontario Court of Appeal to overturn William Mullins Johnson's murder conviction, after Mullins Johnson had spent 12 years in prison.
- Former longtime director of the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted (now Innocence Canada) and former Toronto director of the Criminal Lawyers Association.
- Designated by Legal Aid Ontario as a member of its Complex Criminal Case Rate Panel.
In the community
- Has published a statement of principles committing to inclusive legal workplaces, human dignity, Indigenous reconciliation, and equality and diversity, consistent with Law Society of Ontario standards.
- Case results and press coverage on the firm's site date back to 2003, including reporting in the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, CBC News, and Law Times News on trials and Charter rulings the firm has been part of.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
By appointmentFees & payment
Free consultation
Legal aidWho handles what
Offices 2
The neighbourhood
The firm's Toronto office sits in Suite 901 at 480 University Ave, on the same stretch of University Avenue that runs past Osgoode Hall to 361 University Avenue, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice courthouse used for the province's criminal and family trials. For a firm built around murder, manslaughter, and other indictable charges, that puts daily work a short walk from the courtroom itself.
The Newmarket office, at 17075 Leslie Street, extends the practice into York Region, where the Ontario Court of Justice runs its own criminal courthouse on Eagle Street West. Having a York Region address lets the firm meet clients and appear on matters north of Toronto without everyone travelling downtown first.
Frequently asked questions
- I've been charged with murder or manslaughter, can David G. Bayliss represent me?
- Yes. The firm's founder has decades of experience defending murder, manslaughter, and infanticide charges, and the firm lists this as one of its core practice areas.
- Does the firm handle sexual assault allegations?
- Yes, sexual assault and other sexual offences are listed among the firm's practice areas.
- Can the firm defend a drug trafficking or importing charge?
- Yes. Drug possession, trafficking, and importing charges are among the areas the firm practises in.
- Do you take on Legal Aid Ontario cases?
- The firm accepts Legal Aid Ontario certificates in certain cases and is designated as a member of Legal Aid Ontario's Complex Criminal Case Rate Panel for serious prosecutions.
- Where are your offices, and can I reach someone right after an arrest?
- The firm has offices at 480 University Ave in downtown Toronto and 17075 Leslie Street in Newmarket, and its site invites people to call anytime at 416-598-5250.
- Does the firm only handle Toronto cases?
- No. Alongside its Toronto office, the firm keeps a Newmarket office and its site states it serves clients across the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario.
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Criminal DefenceListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗