RH Criminal Defence
2 lawyers · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 455 handling Criminal Defence.
Accepts Legal Aid
Free consultationAccepts Legal AidFree consultationAbout RH Criminal Defence
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RH Criminal Defence is a small criminal law practice in downtown Toronto, founded by Ryan Handlarski, who was called to the Ontario bar in 2009. Handlarski graduated cum laude from the University of Ottawa's law school, winning the school's criminal law award and working as a teaching assistant for criminal law and procedure. After clerking for a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice and articling on Bay Street, Handlarski moved into criminal defence, spending time at Greenspan Partners before starting the practice that became RH Criminal Defence.
The firm now includes Senior Counsel Steven Skurka, who has spent decades defending people accused of murder, other violent offences and white-collar fraud, and who taught criminal procedure at Osgoode Hall Law School for more than a decade. RH Criminal Defence represents clients charged with offences ranging from impaired driving and domestic assault to drug trafficking, sexual offences and murder, appearing at courthouses across the Greater Toronto Area including Toronto, Scarborough, Newmarket, Oshawa, Brampton and Milton. The firm accepts Legal Aid in some cases and is on the Extremely Serious Matters panel.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Handlarski was called to the Ontario bar in 2009.
- The University of Ottawa recognized Handlarski's academic performance in criminal law with the school's criminal law award.
- Before opening the firm, Handlarski clerked for a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice and worked at Greenspan Partners.
- Handlarski has published academic writing in the University of British Columbia Law Review and columns in Law Times, Lawyers' Daily and Canadian Lawyer Magazine.
- Steven Skurka, the firm's senior counsel, is a life member of the National Association of Criminal Defence Lawyers in the United States.
- Skurka has written two books, including Tilted, a nonfiction account of the Conrad Black fraud trials.
In the community
- Handlarski worked as a teaching assistant for criminal law and procedure at the University of Ottawa.
- Skurka taught criminal procedure at Osgoode Hall Law School for more than a decade.
- Handlarski is a member of the Criminal Lawyers' Association, the Ontario Bar Association and the Toronto Lawyers' Association.
Fees & payment
Free consultation
Legal aidLawyers 2
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Law schools
- University of Ottawa 1 of 2 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
RH Criminal Defence works out of Suite 606 at 130 Spadina Avenue, a building known locally as the Fashion Building. Built between 1926 and 1927 for the Fashion Cloak Company, the eight-storey, Gothic Revival warehouse anchored Toronto's garment district for decades and was added to the city's heritage register in 1989. The office sits a short walk from Old City Hall, where the Ontario Court of Justice hears criminal matters, and from 361 University Avenue, home to the Superior Court of Justice for the Toronto Region.
Frequently asked questions
- Does RH Criminal Defence handle impaired driving and other driving offences?
- Yes. The firm defends driving offences including impaired driving, alongside domestic assault, sexual offences, fraud, drug offences, theft, weapons offences and other violent offences.
- I've been charged with a serious offence like murder or trafficking. Can RH Criminal Defence take the case?
- Yes. The firm has represented clients charged with first degree murder, drug trafficking and other serious offences at trial in Toronto, Newmarket and Milton courthouses.
- What courthouses does RH Criminal Defence appear at?
- The firm appears at courthouses across the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto, Scarborough, Newmarket, Oshawa, Brampton and Milton.
- Does RH Criminal Defence accept Legal Aid?
- The firm accepts Legal Aid certificates in some cases, and Handlarski is on the Extremely Serious Matters panel.
- How many lawyers work at RH Criminal Defence?
- The firm has two lawyers: founder Ryan Handlarski and senior counsel Steven Skurka.
- Where is RH Criminal Defence's office located?
- The office is at 130 Spadina Avenue, Suite 606, Toronto, a short walk from Old City Hall and the courthouse at 361 University Avenue.
Where to find them
130 Spadina Ave., Suite 606, Toronto, ON M5V 2L4 · 416-837-4500
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