Greenspan Partners LLP
3 lawyers · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 455 handling Criminal Defence.
About Greenspan Partners LLP
Greenspan Partners LLP is a small criminal defence firm at 144 King Street East in Toronto, at the corner of King and Jarvis, one block from the St. Lawrence Market. It was founded by the late Edward L. Greenspan, Q.C., who was called to the Ontario Bar in 1970 and spent more than four decades as a criminal defence lawyer, arguing appeals in every provincial appellate court in Canada as well as the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Greenspan died in December 2014, and the firm continues to practise under the name of its founder.
Partner Julianna A. Greenspan interned with the Cook County Public Defender's Murder Task Force Division in Chicago, practised criminal law there through 2002, then joined the Toronto firm that year and became a partner in 2007. Partner Brad Greenshields started as Crown counsel in the Attorney General's Crown Law Office, Criminal, before moving into criminal defence and joining the firm in 2013, making partner in January 2019. Associate Lauren Crawford, called to the Ontario Bar in 2022, rounds out a team that handles criminal defence matters from the first court appearance through trial and appeal, plus related administrative proceedings such as coroners' inquests and professional discipline complaints before administrative tribunals. The firm calls its approach "Complete Defence," and Canadian Lawyer magazine named it one of its Top 10 Criminal Law Boutiques in 2018.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Edward L. Greenspan, Q.C. founded the firm after being called to the Ontario Bar in 1970 and went on to argue appeals in every provincial appellate court in Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.
- Greenspan received the Law Society Medal in 2013, the Advocates' Society Medal in 2009 and the G. Arthur Martin Medal in 2001, along with honorary doctorates from the Law Society of Upper Canada, the University of Windsor, Assumption University and Brock University.
- Canadian Lawyer magazine named Greenspan Partners LLP one of its Top 10 Criminal Law Boutiques in 2018.
- Brad Greenshields began a career as Crown counsel in the Attorney General's Crown Law Office, Criminal, then joined the firm in 2013 and made partner in January 2019.
- Julianna A. Greenspan is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the Criminal Lawyers' Association, the Advocates' Society and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
In the community
- Julianna A. Greenspan sits on the boards of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian Opera Company.
- The firm recruits an articling student each year under a formal education plan covering trials, preliminary hearings and appeals, with the student attending court, conducting legal research and interviewing clients and witnesses alongside the firm's lawyers.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
By appointmentLawyers 3
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 2003–2022 · median 18 years in practice 3 of 3 lawyers
- Law schools
- Queen's University (2), Northwestern University School of Law 3 of 3 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
Greenspan Partners LLP works out of 144 King Street East, at the corner of King and Jarvis in Toronto's old town core. That's the same intersection where the city's first Market Square went up in 1803, a public market that grew into the St. Lawrence Market complex the firm's office now sits a block from. King Street was the main commercial street of early York and Toronto, and the block was rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1849 leveled much of the district. It's still a dense, walkable stretch of downtown, closer to the lake than to the courts along University Avenue, and a short walk from King subway station.
Frequently asked questions
- What areas of law does Greenspan Partners LLP handle?
- The firm focuses on criminal defence, representing clients at trial and on appeal in Ontario courts and the Supreme Court of Canada, along with related administrative matters such as professional discipline complaints before administrative tribunals and coroners' inquests.
- I've been charged with a criminal offence in Toronto. Can Greenspan Partners LLP represent me?
- Yes. Its lawyers handle criminal and regulatory charges from the first court appearance through trial and, where needed, appeal.
- Where is Greenspan Partners LLP located?
- The firm's office is at 144 King Street East in Toronto, at King and Jarvis, one block north of the St. Lawrence Market.
- How long has Greenspan Partners LLP been practising criminal law?
- The firm traces back to Edward L. Greenspan, Q.C., who was called to the Ontario Bar in 1970 and practised criminal defence for more than four decades, until dying in December 2014. The firm continues under the name of its founder.
- Does Greenspan Partners LLP take on appeals, not just trials?
- Yes. Its lawyers have argued cases at the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada.
- Does Greenspan Partners LLP take articling students?
- Yes. The firm recruits an articling student each year under a formal education plan and asks applicants to submit an application, including a CV and university transcripts, to the Toronto office.
Where to find them
144 King St. East, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1G8 · 416-366-3961
Similar firms in City of Toronto
Fomcenco Law is a Toronto firm focused on immigration and refugee law, along with notary services, criminal law, and power of attorney matters. Its multilingual team offers services in several languages and takes on p…
Immigration Law
Notary & Commissioner Services
Criminal Defence
Wills, Estates & Trusts
Titan Defence LLP is a Toronto criminal defence firm founded by two lawyers who both worked as Crown attorneys and duty counsel before starting the practice. It handles matters from bail hearings through trial, includ…
Criminal Defence
Legal Aid
Nicholas Robinson Criminal Lawyer is a criminal defence firm with offices in Regina, Saskatchewan and Toronto, Ontario. Nicholas Robinson has practised since 2009 and the firm has represented over 1,600 clients across…
Criminal DefenceListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗