Shikhman Barristers
4 lawyers · City of Toronto
One of 229 law firms listed in North York, and one of 58 handling Criminal Defence.
About Shikhman Barristers
Shikhman Barristers is a criminal defence firm based in Toronto, with offices in North York and the downtown Financial District. It has served Toronto area clients since 1993, and today it practices under the name of its founder and managing partner, Sonya Shikhman, who studied history and law and society at York University before earning an LL.B. at Osgoode Hall Law School. Its partners bring more than 50 years of combined experience in criminal litigation, and have conducted trials and appeals at every level of court in Ontario as well as at the Supreme Court of Canada.
The practice is almost exclusively criminal defence, covering charges from bail hearings and impaired driving to sexual assault, fraud, and homicide, and it takes cases from clients across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. Shikhman has argued precedent setting cases, including R. v. Simonelli on unconstitutional delays in bail hearings, and teaches trial advocacy at Osgoode Hall Law School. The firm also runs an ongoing student law program that brings on law students, articling students, and paralegals to work alongside its lawyers, and it bills most matters on a flat block fee rather than by the hour, so clients know the cost of a trial before it starts.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- The firm has served Toronto area clients since 1993.
- Founder Sonya Shikhman argued the precedent setting case R. v. Simonelli, which addressed unconstitutional delays in bail hearings.
- Sonya Shikhman teaches trial advocacy at Osgoode Hall Law School and has judged the Jessup Cup international moot competition in several countries.
- The firm is included on the 2026 Best Law Firms list ranked by Best Lawyers Canada, and its founder also carries an individual Best Lawyers recognition.
- It won gold in the Toronto Star Readers' Choice Awards in 2020 and 2021.
- A former partner was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice and now presides in Newmarket.
In the community
- Sonya Shikhman sits on the inaugural Board of Directors of the Runnymede Society, an organization focused on constitutionalism and fundamental freedoms.
- Sonya Shikhman serves as duty counsel at the Ontario Court of Appeal through its Pro Bono Inmate Appeals Program.
- One of the firm's associates leads the Toronto chapter of the Runnymede Society.
- Another associate previously served as co president of the Osgoode Hall chapter of the Canadian Hispanic Bar Association.
- The firm periodically takes on law students, articling students, and paralegals through its student law program.
- Sonya Shikhman provides regular criminal law commentary to outlets including CTV News, Newstalk 1010, and the Toronto Star.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
By appointmentFees & payment
Payment plansLawyers 4
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 2022–2025 · median 2 years in practice 2 of 4 lawyers
- Law schools
- Osgoode Hall Law School (3), University of Windsor 4 of 4 lawyers
Who handles what
Offices 2
The neighbourhood
The firm's main office sits on Yonge Street in North York, inside the TransAmerica building, about three blocks north of Highway 401 and one block south of the North York Centre subway station on Line 1. The Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts sits just behind the building, and a Baton Rouge restaurant marks the entrance at street level. That mix of highway and subway access suits a firm whose clients come from across the Greater Toronto Area, since a criminal charge sends people looking for a lawyer close to wherever they happen to live or work, not necessarily close to the office itself.
The firm keeps a second office at 73 Richmond Street West, in the heart of Toronto's Financial District, giving downtown clients a closer point of contact without a trip north to Yonge and Sheppard.
Frequently asked questions
- I've been charged with impaired driving, can Shikhman Barristers help?
- Impaired and dangerous driving are among the firm's core practice areas, alongside bail hearings, drug offences, and the rest of the Criminal Code.
- Does the firm handle sexual assault and domestic assault cases?
- Yes. Both are listed among its main practice areas, along with fraud, homicide, and youth justice matters.
- Is the initial consultation free?
- No, it's a paid one hour consultation, but the fee is deducted in full from the final bill if you go on to hire the firm.
- How does Shikhman Barristers charge for a case?
- The firm generally works on a block fee basis rather than an hourly rate, so a lawyer quotes a flat fee that covers the whole case, including trial, and can work out a payment plan.
- Where are the firm's offices, and does it serve clients outside Toronto?
- The main office is on Yonge Street in North York, with a second office in the Financial District on Richmond Street West. The firm also takes cases from across the Greater Toronto Area, including Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, and Hamilton.
- Can law students get experience at the firm?
- The firm periodically brings on law students, articling students, and paralegals through its student law program, and asks interested applicants to reach out directly.
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Civil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionLegal AidListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗