Gridin Advocates
2 lawyers · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 455 handling Criminal Defence.
Virtual appointments
Virtual appointmentsAbout Gridin Advocates
Gridin Advocates is a small Toronto firm of two lawyers at 26 Wellington Street East, working by referral only, with a practice built around criminal defence, professional discipline, regulatory advice, and municipal law. Lawrence Gridin founded the firm after 13 years as a partner at another Toronto litigation firm. Gridin's own practice covers criminal defence, professional regulation, and police discipline: representing accused people, victims, witnesses, and law enforcement through investigations, proceedings, trials, and appeals at every level of Ontario's courts, including arguments before the Supreme Court of Canada. Much of that work involves defending police officers, and the firm's site states Gridin acted as counsel in the only two cases where Toronto Police officers were charged with murder in the line of duty, plus hundreds of other oversight, tribunal, and Coroner's Inquest matters.
The firm also advises institutions and law enforcement on regulatory compliance and policy, and government officials have consulted Gridin on the drafting of Ontario's Community Safety and Policing Act. Lauren Chee-Hing leads the municipal law side of the practice, bringing 12 years of experience that began with an associate role in Aird & Berlis LLP's Municipal & Land Use Planning group starting in 2014, followed by more than a decade as legal counsel with the Ontario Ombudsman focused on municipal oversight. At Gridin Advocates, Chee-Hing advises municipalities, public bodies, developers, and businesses on governance and land use planning.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Lawrence Gridin has argued cases before the Supreme Court of Canada, after 13 years as a partner at another Toronto litigation firm before founding Gridin Advocates.
- The firm's site states that Gridin acted as counsel in the only two cases in which Toronto Police officers were charged with murder in the line of duty.
- Lauren Chee-Hing joined Aird & Berlis LLP as an associate in its Municipal & Land Use Planning group in 2014, the same year Chee-Hing was called to the bar, after earning a J.D. from the University of Toronto.
- Chee-Hing spent more than a decade as legal counsel with the Ontario Ombudsman focused on municipal oversight before continuing in private practice.
In the community
- Lawrence Gridin teaches at professional development courses and in Osgoode Hall Law School's LL.M. program, and government officials have consulted Gridin on the drafting of Ontario's Community Safety and Policing Act.
- Lauren Chee-Hing serves municipalities as an Integrity Commissioner and Closed Meeting Investigator, roles that provide independent oversight of municipal governance and closed door meeting compliance.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
LGBTQ+ friendly
Virtual appointments
By appointmentLawyers 2
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
Gridin Advocates keeps its office at 26 Wellington Street East, a Class A tower in Toronto's Old Town district, within reach of the Financial Core, St. Lawrence Market, and Berczy Park, according to the building's own leasing listing. It's a stretch of downtown built up around the city's old market and warehouse blocks, now filled with law and finance offices, a few blocks from King and Union stations and the PATH network. For a firm whose two lawyers move between police discipline hearings and municipal council business, a base in the middle of Toronto's oldest commercial core, close to the institutions both practices touch, fits the work.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Gridin Advocates defend police officers facing criminal or disciplinary charges?
- Yes. A large part of Lawrence Gridin's practice involves defending police officers in criminal charges, misconduct proceedings, oversight investigations, tribunal hearings, and Coroner's Inquests, according to the firm's site.
- Can Gridin Advocates help with a municipal or land use planning matter?
- Yes. Lauren Chee-Hing advises municipalities, developers, businesses, and individuals on municipal governance and land use planning, drawing on experience at the Ontario Ombudsman and at Aird & Berlis LLP's Municipal & Land Use Planning group.
- Is Gridin Advocates taking on new clients directly?
- The firm's site states it works by referral only, so most clients reach the firm through a referral rather than a direct inquiry.
- Has Gridin Advocates argued cases at the Supreme Court of Canada?
- Yes, Lawrence Gridin has argued before the Supreme Court of Canada as part of a criminal and professional discipline practice that spans every level of Ontario's court system.
- Where is Gridin Advocates located?
- The firm's office is at 26 Wellington Street East, Suite 400, in Toronto's Old Town, near the Financial Core and St. Lawrence Market.
- Can Gridin Advocates act as an Integrity Commissioner or Closed Meeting Investigator for a municipality?
- Yes. Lauren Chee-Hing serves municipalities in both roles, providing independent oversight of governance issues and closed meeting compliance.
Where to find them
26 Wellington Street East, Suite 400, Toronto, ON M5E 1S2 · 647-998-1774
Similar firms in City of Toronto
Mor Fisher LLP is a criminal defence firm based in Barrie, Ontario, that practises criminal law exclusively. Its lawyers handle the full range of charges, from impaired driving and assault to drug trafficking, firearm…
Criminal Defence
Indigenous Law
Administrative & Regulatory Law
Legal AidKapoor Barristers is a Toronto criminal defence firm handling criminal and regulatory law at the trial and appellate levels. Its lawyers act for individuals, corporations, governments, and regulatory bodies, including…
Criminal DefenceAdministrative & Regulatory Law
Markson Law Professional Corporation is a Toronto criminal defence boutique representing individuals and corporations in criminal, regulatory, and policing matters. Ranked Tier 1 nationally and regionally for criminal…
Criminal DefenceAdministrative & Regulatory Law
Tax LawListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗