Irwin Z. Isenstein, Barrister & Solicitor
1 lawyer · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 455 handling Criminal Defence.
About Irwin Z. Isenstein, Barrister & Solicitor
Irwin Z. Isenstein, Barrister and Solicitor is a sole criminal law practice based in Toronto. Isenstein earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba in 1978, followed by an LL.B. in 1981, and was called to the Manitoba Bar in 1982. The early years of practice were split between two Winnipeg firms, practicing primarily criminal law, before a move to Toronto in late 1985. Isenstein was called to the Ontario Bar in 1986 and has practiced criminal law exclusively since then, working alongside other lawyers at times and as a sole practitioner at others.
The practice covers Criminal Code matters including impaired driving, driving with a blood alcohol level over 80 milligrams, refusing a breath sample, dangerous driving, assault and fraud, along with charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and criminal appeals to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. It also takes on Highway Traffic Act charges such as careless driving, stunt driving, driving under suspension and driving without insurance. Isenstein has appeared as counsel at every level of court across Ontario, including a substantial number of matters in the province's Northwest Region, and has also defended cases in Alberta and Nova Scotia.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Isenstein appeared on the legal affairs program Legal Briefs, broadcast nationally on Court TV Canada, and provided legal commentary for CBC Newsworld and CTV News Channel.
- Isenstein was quoted commenting on impaired driving disclosure law in a 2015 Law Times article about a Toronto court ruling on breathalyzer maintenance records, arguing the disclosure breach in that case warranted a remedy.
In the community
- Isenstein served as a panelist in Law Society of Upper Canada continuing legal education programs on drinking and driving law, co-chairing the program in 2008 and chairing it from 2009 to 2012.
Good to know
By appointmentWho handles what
The neighbourhood
The office sits in Toronto's North York City Centre, the stretch of Yonge Street between Sheppard Avenue and Finch Avenue that grew into the city's largest business district outside downtown after the former City of North York built its civic square, library and arts centre there in the 1970s and 80s. High-rise office and condominium towers now line six lanes of Yonge Street, with three subway stations, Sheppard-Yonge, North York Centre and Finch, serving the district. That kind of transit access suits a practice built around courtroom appearances rather than walk-in visits, since the cases here are heard in courts across Ontario, not only locally.
Frequently asked questions
- I've been charged with impaired driving in Toronto, can Isenstein represent me?
- Yes. The practice has focused exclusively on criminal law since 1986 and takes on Criminal Code impaired driving matters, including drive over 80 milligrams and refuse breath sample charges.
- Does the firm handle Highway Traffic Act charges like stunt driving or careless driving?
- Yes, alongside Criminal Code work, the practice takes on Highway Traffic Act charges such as careless driving, stunt driving, driving under suspension and driving without insurance.
- Will Isenstein take my case if I'm not in Toronto?
- The practice has appeared as counsel at every level of court across Ontario, including a substantial number of matters in the province's Northwest Region, and has also defended cases in Alberta and Nova Scotia.
- Does the firm handle criminal appeals?
- Yes, the practice takes on criminal appeals to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
- How long has Isenstein been practicing criminal law?
- Isenstein was called to the Manitoba Bar in 1982, moved to Toronto in late 1985, and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1986, practicing criminal law exclusively since.
- Where is the office and how do I get there?
- The office is at 805-4789 Yonge Street in Toronto's North York City Centre, within the district served by the Sheppard-Yonge, North York Centre and Finch subway stations.
Where to find them
805-4789 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M2N 0G3 · 416-230-4855
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Criminal DefenceListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗