Paul Alexander, Barrister
1 lawyer · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 455 handling Criminal Defence.
About Paul Alexander, Barrister
Paul Alexander, Barrister is a solo criminal defence practice in downtown Toronto that concentrates on appeals, from theft charges up to first degree murder. Paul J.I. Alexander earned a Bachelor of Commerce and a Juris Doctor at the University of Toronto, was called to the bar in 2007, and articled as a law clerk to judges of the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto before joining an established Toronto criminal law firm. The independent practice launched in April 2013.
The work spans both appellate and trial matters, including homicides, alleged conspiracies, drug offences, firearms charges, large scale frauds, sexual offences, and other serious criminal charges, argued before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Court of Appeal for Ontario, and courts across the country. The practice serves the Greater Toronto Area along with York Region, Halton, Hamilton, Simcoe, and Durham County.
Beyond the courtroom, the practice has represented the Criminal Lawyers' Association as an intervener before the Supreme Court of Canada, and testified as an invited witness before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on criminal law policy. Commentary has appeared in the Globe and Mail, and Paul Alexander has lectured on criminal appellate procedure at Osgoode Hall Law School and supervised upper year appellate advocacy moots at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Called to the Ontario bar in 2007, after articling as a law clerk to Superior Court of Justice judges in Toronto.
- Launched an independent criminal defence practice in April 2013, after several years at an established Toronto criminal law firm.
- Represented the Criminal Lawyers' Association as an intervener before the Supreme Court of Canada.
- Testified as an invited witness before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on criminal law policy.
- Has argued appeals before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Court of Appeal for Ontario, and provincial courts of appeal across the country.
In the community
- Volunteers as duty counsel with the Pro Bono Inmate Appeal Program.
- Mentors counsel through the Criminal Appellate Advocacy Development Program at the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
- Lectures on criminal appellate procedure at Osgoode Hall Law School.
- Supervises upper year students on appellate advocacy as a moot supervisor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.
- Writing on criminal law has been published in the Globe and Mail.
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
The office is at University Law Chambers, 55 University Avenue, on the stretch of University Avenue that runs through Toronto's downtown legal district. The Toronto Courthouse at 361 University Avenue, home to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, sits a short distance up the same street, and Osgoode Hall at 130 Queen Street West, seat of the Court of Appeal for Ontario, is a few minutes' walk away. For a practice built around appellate work, that puts the office close to the court where most of its appeals are actually heard.
University Avenue itself is one of the city's civic corridors, linking Queen's Park to the financial district, with Nathan Phillips Square and Toronto City Hall nearby. It's a dense, transit accessible part of downtown, well suited to a practice that draws clients from across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond rather than from one neighbourhood.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Paul Alexander handle criminal appeals or only trials?
- Appeals are the primary focus of the practice, with work ranging from theft charges to first degree murder. The practice also takes on trial matters, including homicides, drug offences, weapons charges, and fraud cases.
- What level of court does the practice appear in?
- The practice has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Court of Appeal for Ontario, and courts of appeal in other provinces, along with trial courts in Ontario.
- I want to appeal a conviction or sentence, can this firm help?
- Yes. The practice acts for clients who want to challenge a conviction, reduce a sentence, or respond to an appeal brought by the Crown.
- What areas outside Toronto does the practice serve?
- The practice serves clients across the Greater Toronto Area, including York Region, Halton, Hamilton, Simcoe, and Durham County.
- How long has Paul Alexander been practising criminal law?
- Paul J.I. Alexander was called to the Ontario bar in 2007 and launched this independent practice in April 2013, after articling for Superior Court of Justice judges and working at an established Toronto criminal law firm.
- Where is the office located and how do I get in touch?
- The office is at University Law Chambers, 55 University Avenue, Suite 1100, in downtown Toronto. It can be reached by phone at (416) 960-3000 or by email at paul@paulalexander.ca.
Where to find them
University Law Chambers, 55 University Avenue, Suite 1100, Toronto, ON M5J 2H7
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