Edward H. Royle & Partners LLP
19 lawyers · Established 2010 · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 455 handling Criminal Defence.
Accepts Legal Aid
Free consultationAccepts Legal AidFree consultationAbout Edward H. Royle & Partners LLP
Clients rate this firm highly on Google.
Edward H. Royle & Partners LLP is a Toronto criminal defence firm founded in 2010 by Edward H. Royle, who spent more than 25 years before that as a partner at what the firm describes as Canada's largest criminal defence firm, working alongside Jack Pinkofsky and James Lockyer. Royle graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1981 and articled for Justice John C. Wilkins at the Toronto firm then known as Sneath, Wilkins. The firm now describes itself as one of the largest criminal defence firms in the Greater Toronto Area, with a team of lawyers and articling students who practice exclusively in criminal law.
The team handles criminal trials and appeals at every level, including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada, along with regulatory and traffic offences and civil claims arising from police or institutional misconduct. One of the firm's lawyers holds the Law Society of Ontario's Certified Specialist designation in criminal law. Beyond its Toronto office, lawyers regularly appear in courthouses across the region, from Brampton and Oshawa to Barrie, Kitchener, and St. Catharines. The team can communicate with clients in languages including Spanish, Cantonese, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Tamil, Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, and Arabic, and the firm bills by block fee rather than by the hour, with payment plans and Legal Aid certificates accepted.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Edward H. Royle established the firm in 2010 after more than 25 years as a partner at what the firm describes as Canada's largest criminal defence firm, working alongside Jack Pinkofsky and James Lockyer.
- Royle was counsel in R. v. Parks, an Ontario Court of Appeal decision that established an accused person's right to challenge prospective jurors for potential racial bias.
- One of the firm's lawyers holds the Law Society of Ontario's Certified Specialist designation in criminal law.
In the community
- A lawyer at the firm serves as a director on the board of the Criminal Lawyers' Association, after earlier serving on its junior litigation committee and on the executive board of the Ontario Bar Association's Criminal Law Branch.
- That same lawyer has taught criminal law classes to internationally trained lawyers and contributed to a CanLII criminal law e-book, in addition to writing on prior consistent statements for the Ontario Bar Association.
- The firm keeps a blog of legal commentary on criminal law, covering topics such as bail hearings, jury selection, youth justice, and constitutional issues in policing.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
By appointmentFees & payment
Free consultation
Legal aidLawyers 19
A. Scott Reid
Partner
Criminal Defence
Abhinav Dang
Associate
Criminal Defence
Alaina Britney
Associate
Criminal Defence
Alexander Ostroff
Associate
Criminal Defence
Bronagh Ryan
Associate
Criminal Defence
Carlos F. Rippell
Partner
Criminal Defence
Dina Abboud
Associate
Criminal Defence
Edward H. Royle
Senior Partner
Criminal Defence
Herman Jackson
Associate
Criminal Defence
James L. Miglin
Partner
Criminal DefenceCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Kelly-Anne Johnson
Associate
Criminal Defence
Lauren Webster
Associate
Criminal Defence
Marianne Salih
Partner
Criminal Defence
Mirnalni Setia
Associate
Criminal Defence
Mitchell Coulter
Associate
Criminal Defence
Natasha Daley
Associate
Criminal Defence
Paul Aubin
Partner
Criminal Defence
Talissa Mohamed
Associate
Criminal Defence
Thomas Evangelista
Junior Partner
Criminal Defence
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 2024 · median 2 years in practice 1 of 19 lawyers
- Law schools
- Osgoode Hall Law School (2), University of Toronto Faculty of Law (2), Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, City, University of London, Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law, ILS Law College and 11 more 19 of 19 lawyers
- Languages on the roster
- Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Punjabi
Who handles what
-
Criminal Defence
A. Scott Reid, Abhinav Dang, Alaina Britney, Alexander Ostroff, Bronagh Ryan, Carlos F. Rippell, Dina Abboud, Edward H. Royle, Herman Jackson, James L. Miglin, Kelly-Anne Johnson, Lauren Webster, Marianne Salih, Mirnalni Setia, Mitchell Coulter, Natasha Daley, Paul Aubin, Talissa Mohamed, Thomas Evangelista -
Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
The neighbourhood
The firm's office is Suite 1200 at 439 University Ave, on the same downtown stretch of University Avenue as the Superior Court of Justice's criminal courthouse at 361 University Ave. The team also travels regularly to courthouses across the wider region, from Brampton and Newmarket to Barrie and Kitchener.
Frequently asked questions
- I've been charged with a crime in Toronto. Does Edward H. Royle & Partners handle my type of case?
- The firm practices exclusively in criminal law and covers a wide range of charges, from drug and firearms offences to impaired driving, assault, fraud, and homicide, plus criminal appeals and civil claims against police or other public institutions.
- What's the difference between impaired driving and driving "over 80"?
- The firm explains that impaired driving turns on a police officer's subjective assessment of a driver's ability, while an "over 80" charge is based on an objective, scientific measurement of blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit.
- How much does it cost to hire the firm, and do you take Legal Aid?
- Fees vary with how complex a case is. The firm generally bills a block fee that covers the work involved rather than charging by the hour, offers payment plans, and accepts Legal Aid certificates.
- I've already been convicted or sentenced. Can the firm still help with an appeal?
- Yes. The firm has dedicated appeal lawyers who handle conviction and sentence appeals, but a Notice of Appeal generally has to be filed within 30 days of sentencing, so it's best to reach out quickly. Missing that window isn't necessarily the end of things, since an Application for Extension of Time to Appeal may still be possible.
- Do you only take cases in Toronto?
- No. While the firm is based in downtown Toronto, its lawyers regularly appear in courthouses across the region, including Brampton, Oshawa, Newmarket, Milton, Hamilton, Brantford, Orangeville, Barrie, Orillia, Guelph, Kitchener, St. Catharines, and Welland.
- Does anyone at the firm speak languages other than English?
- Yes. The firm's lawyers and students can communicate with clients in Spanish, Cantonese, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Tamil, Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, and Arabic.
Where to find them
439 University Ave, Suite 1200, Toronto, ON M5G 1Y8 · 833-309-1970
Similar firms in City of Toronto
Pace Law Firm is a multi-service firm founded in 1981 by Al Pace, based in Toronto with offices across Ontario. It's best known for personal injury and immigration, and also handles family law, real estate, wills and …
Personal Injury
Immigration Law
Family Law
Real Estate LawBrauti Thorning LLP (BT Legal) is a Toronto litigation boutique of more than 40 legal professionals. The firm practices criminal defence, family law, civil and commercial litigation, personal injury, and professional …
Criminal Defence
Civil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFamily LawPersonal Injury
Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP is a Toronto litigation boutique that marked its 25th anniversary in July 2026. Its roughly 69 lawyers practise across commercial and civil litigation, labour and employment law,…
Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Class Actions
Employment & Labour Law
Administrative & Regulatory LawListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗