Does Gorham Vandebeek handle murder and manslaughter cases?

Yes. Murder and manslaughter defence is one of the firm's practice areas, at trial and on appeal, alongside charges like sexual assault, robbery, and firearms and drug offences.

Can Gorham Vandebeek take a criminal appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada?

The firm's lawyers have appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada as well as the Ontario Court of Appeal and the New Brunswick Court of Appeal, handling appeals over unreasonable verdicts, errors in law, and sentences that are demonstrably unfit.

Does the firm practice in New Brunswick as well as Ontario?

Yes. Gorham Vandebeek has an office in Toronto and a second office in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and its lawyers appear in courts across southern Ontario and Atlantic Canada.

I'm a professional facing a discipline complaint, can Gorham Vandebeek help?

The firm takes on professional discipline and regulatory matters alongside criminal defence, and counsel to the firm has particular background in administrative and regulatory law.

How do I book a consultation with Gorham Vandebeek?

You can reach the firm by phone or email at either office, or use the contact form and appointment booking link on its website.

Gorham Vandebeek LLP | LawOnline Directory

About Gorham Vandebeek LLP

Gorham Vandebeek is a criminal defence firm named for its two founding partners, Nathan Gorham and Breana Vandebeek. The firm is based in Toronto, Ontario, with a second office in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and it serves clients across southern Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Its lawyers handle criminal trials and appeals, from murder, manslaughter, and sexual assault to robbery, firearms, and drug offences, along with professional discipline and workplace allegations.

Nathan Gorham holds a Doctor of Juridical Science and a Master of Laws from the University of Toronto, in addition to a law degree from Queen's University, and has been appointed King's Counsel. Breana Vandebeek, also a Queen's University law graduate, has argued more than 70 appeals at the Court of Appeal for Ontario and has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada. Both founding partners teach the law of homicide as adjunct instructors at the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law, and the firm takes on cases for clients who could not otherwise afford effective representation.

Practice areas

Criminal Defence

Administrative & Regulatory Law

Milestones & recognition

Nathan Gorham holds a Doctor of Juridical Science (2022) and a Master of Laws (2015), both from the University of Toronto, in addition to a law degree from Queen's University, and has been appointed King's Counsel.
Breana Vandebeek, a Queen's University law graduate, has argued more than 70 appeals at the Court of Appeal for Ontario and has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Vandebeek assisted with the Criminal Appeals Practitioner's Handbook and is co-authoring a Handbook on Prosecuting and Defending Drug Offences, both published by Emond Montgomery Publications.
One of the firm's counsel members was appointed King's Counsel for New Brunswick in 2022, clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada, and joined the firm in January 2024 after 12 years teaching law.

In the community

Breana Vandebeek is a Director of the Criminal Lawyers' Association and Secretary of Women in Canadian Criminal Defence (WICC).
Vandebeek is a member of the Pro Bono Inmate Appeal Program at the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
Nathan Gorham and Breana Vandebeek both teach the law of homicide as adjunct instructors at the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law.
The firm takes on cases for clients who could not otherwise afford effective representation.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible A calendar with a checkmark beside a clock

By appointment

Lawyers 10

Alex Pate Partner Criminal Defence Alexandra Youssef Associate Criminal Defence Alisha Rice Associate Criminal Defence Beth Brown-Kirk Breana Vandebeek Partner Criminal Defence Caraid McGinty Associate Criminal DefenceFamily Law Jack MacKinnon Associate Criminal Defence Kimia Heidary Associate Criminal Defence Michael Marin Counsel Administrative & Regulatory Law Nathan Gorham Partner Criminal Defence

This firm’s lawyers at a glance

Called to the bar: 2024–2025 · median 2 years in practice 3 of 10 lawyers
Law schools: Queen's University (2), University of New Brunswick (2), University of Ottawa (2), Dalhousie University, University of Exeter, University of Windsor Faculty of Law 9 of 10 lawyers
Languages on the roster: English, French

Who handles what

Offices 2

Toronto416-410-4814

100 - 36 Lombard Street, Toronto, ON M5C 2X3

Saint John, NB506-800-2036

201 - 36 Princess Street, Saint John, NB E2L 1K2

The neighbourhood

Gorham Vandebeek splits its practice between two provinces. The Toronto office, on University Avenue, anchors the Ontario side of the firm, covering trials and appeals across the city and southern Ontario. The Fredericton office, on Queen Street, sits in New Brunswick's capital and university city, home to the University of New Brunswick, where both founding partners teach the law of homicide as adjunct instructors at the Faculty of Law.

Frequently asked questions

Does Gorham Vandebeek handle murder and manslaughter cases?: Yes. Murder and manslaughter defence is one of the firm's practice areas, at trial and on appeal, alongside charges like sexual assault, robbery, and firearms and drug offences.
Can Gorham Vandebeek take a criminal appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada?: The firm's lawyers have appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada as well as the Ontario Court of Appeal and the New Brunswick Court of Appeal, handling appeals over unreasonable verdicts, errors in law, and sentences that are demonstrably unfit.
Does the firm practice in New Brunswick as well as Ontario?: Yes. Gorham Vandebeek has an office in Toronto and a second office in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and its lawyers appear in courts across southern Ontario and Atlantic Canada.
I'm a professional facing a discipline complaint, can Gorham Vandebeek help?: The firm takes on professional discipline and regulatory matters alongside criminal defence, and counsel to the firm has particular background in administrative and regulatory law.
What if I can't afford a lawyer?: Gorham Vandebeek says it takes on cases for clients who could not otherwise afford effective representation, alongside its work for paying clients.
How do I book a consultation with Gorham Vandebeek?: You can reach the firm by phone or email at either office, or use the contact form and appointment booking link on its website.

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