About Francesca Yaskiel

Francesca Yaskiel Barrister & Solicitor is a solo criminal defence practice based in Toronto, run out of an office at 15 Bedford Road. Yaskiel has practiced criminal law for more than 30 years, with particular experience defending sexual assault, domestic assault, drug offences, white collar crime, professional regulatory matters, and cases involving mental health issues, according to the firm's own site.

Before entering private practice, Yaskiel worked as an Assistant Crown Attorney, a background that brings prosecutorial experience to the defence of criminal files. From 1996 to 2005, Yaskiel was the assistant head of criminal procedure for the Bar Admission Course at the Law Society of Upper Canada, the licensing body that preceded today's Law Society of Ontario. From 2006 to 2016, Yaskiel served on the Ontario Review Board, the tribunal that reviews the status of people found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder or unfit to stand trial, a role that connects directly to the firm's practice in mental health related criminal matters.

Milestones & recognition

  • Assistant head of criminal procedure for the Bar Admission Course at the Law Society of Upper Canada, 1996 to 2005.
  • Member of the Ontario Review Board, 2006 to 2016, reviewing the status of people found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder or unfit to stand trial.
  • Former Assistant Crown Attorney before moving into private criminal defence practice.

The neighbourhood

The firm's office at 15 Bedford Road sits inside Toronto's East Annex Heritage Conservation District, one of the first heritage districts the city designated, back in 1993. The ACO Toronto TOBuilt database lists the building itself as a detached house completed in 1906, one of many century homes along Bedford Road and the surrounding streets between Prince Arthur and Dupont. It's a quiet, residential, tree-lined stretch, a different setting from a typical downtown law office tower.

Frequently asked questions

I've been charged with sexual assault. Does Francesca Yaskiel handle these cases?
Yes. Sexual assault defence is one of the firm's listed practice areas.
Can Francesca Yaskiel defend a domestic assault charge?
Yes, domestic assault is one of the firm's core practice areas.
I'm facing a drug offence charge in Toronto. Can this firm represent me?
Yes, drug offences are listed among the firm's practice areas.
I've been charged with a white collar offence, like fraud. Does the firm take these cases?
Yes. White collar crime is one of the practice areas listed on the firm's site.
My case involves a mental health issue, like a fitness or NCR question. Can this firm help?
Yes. Mental health related cases are a listed practice area, and Yaskiel spent a decade, from 2006 to 2016, on the Ontario Review Board, the tribunal that reviews the status of people found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder or unfit to stand trial.
How long has Francesca Yaskiel been practicing, and where is the office?
Yaskiel has practiced criminal law for more than 30 years, including time as an Assistant Crown Attorney, and the office is at 15 Bedford Road in Toronto.

Where to find them

15 Bedford Road, Toronto, Ontario M5R 2J7 · 416-847-0847

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Listing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗