JHG Criminal Law
2 lawyers · Established 2015 · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 455 handling Criminal Defence.
About JHG Criminal Law
JHG Criminal Law is a small criminal defence practice based on University Avenue in downtown Toronto. Jordana H. Goldlist founded the firm in 2015 after five years defending clients at Edward H. Royle & Associates, following an earlier stint in civil litigation at Landy Marr Kats LLP. Goldlist graduated with Honours in Philosophy from York University in 2004, earned a JD from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2007, and was called to the Ontario bar in 2008.
The firm concentrates on high risk criminal litigation, including homicide, drug trafficking, firearms offences, assault, and robbery, along with bail hearings, Charter applications, and jury trials. Its approach takes its name from a TEDx Talk Goldlist delivered in 2018, "Who Judges The Judge?", which questions how society singles people out for their worst decisions. The current team includes a junior associate, two paralegals, and a law student who summered at the firm in 2025 and is set to return as an associate in 2027.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Founded in 2015 by Jordana H. Goldlist after five years in criminal defence at Edward H. Royle & Associates and an earlier stint in civil litigation at Landy Marr Kats LLP.
- Goldlist graduated with Honours in Philosophy from York University in 2004, earned a JD from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2007, and was called to the Ontario bar in 2008.
- Goldlist delivered a TEDx Talk titled "Who Judges The Judge?" in 2018.
In the community
- Goldlist established a scholarship program at Osgoode Hall Law School in 2019 and a second one at Windsor Law School in 2021.
- The firm hosts a podcast, "Who Judges the Judge?", with new episodes released every two weeks on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, discussing criminal defence and the justice system.
- A paralegal on the team was recognized as a distinguished paralegal by the Law Society of Ontario in 2017, after eleven years as a senior paralegal with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Woman-owned
By appointmentLawyers 2
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 2008 · median 18 years in practice 1 of 2 lawyers
- Law schools
- Osgoode Hall Law School (2) 2 of 2 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
The firm's office is in a 21 storey tower at the corner of University Avenue and Adelaide Street West, with easy access to transit. That puts it a few blocks south of the courthouse at 361 University Avenue, where the Superior Court of Justice hears Toronto's criminal and family trials, a stretch of the city criminal defence lawyers know well because so many of the courts they appear in sit along the same street.
Frequently asked questions
- What kinds of criminal cases does JHG Criminal Law handle?
- The firm handles homicide, drug trafficking, and firearms cases, along with assault and robbery charges, and works on bail hearings, Charter applications, and jury trials.
- I've just been arrested, can I reach the firm right away?
- Yes. The firm provides support seven days a week for police Right to Counsel calls and emergency assistance for someone in police custody.
- What are the firm's regular hours, and how do I reach it outside a police custody emergency?
- General inquiries are handled by phone or text Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, and email is accepted anytime.
- How do I book a consultation with Jordana Goldlist?
- New client inquiries have to go through the contact form on the firm's website to be considered for a consultation.
- How big is JHG Criminal Law?
- It's a small team built around founder Jordana Goldlist, currently with a junior associate, two paralegals, and a law student.
- Where is JHG Criminal Law located?
- The office is at 1920-155 University Avenue in downtown Toronto, at University Avenue and Adelaide Street West, with easy access to transit.
Where to find them
1920-155 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5H 3B7 · 416-966-2529
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Administrative & Regulatory LawCriminal DefenceListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗