Does Rusonik, O'Connor, Ross, Hershberg, Ghebrai & MacDonald LLP handle anything besides criminal defence?

No. By the firm's own description, none of its lawyers practise any other area of law or work part time as Crown attorneys. The partnership is built around criminal defence only, at every level of court in Ontario.

I've been charged with possessing a firearm or drugs, can the firm help?

This is the kind of case the firm handles. Named partner Jeff Hershberg argued R. v. Smickle, a case in which the Ontario Court of Appeal struck down the mandatory minimum sentence for a first time firearm possession offence as unconstitutional.

Does the firm take on murder charges, or only less serious offences?

The firm's lawyers represent clients across the full range of criminal charges, from murder to impaired driving, and appear at every level of court in Ontario, from the Ontario Court of Justice up through the Court of Appeal.

How long has the firm been practising criminal defence in Toronto?

The firm traces its history back to Pinkofskys Criminal Trial and Appeal Lawyers. Managing partner Reid Rusonik articled there, was called to the bar in 1989, and later ran Pinkofskys as managing partner for more than fifteen years before it merged into the practice operating today.

Someone I know was just arrested. Is there a way to reach the firm after hours?

The firm lists a 24 hour emergency line at 416 598 1811 on its site, in addition to its regular office number.

Where is the firm located?

The firm's office is at 480 University Avenue, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1V2.

Rusonik, O'Connor, Ross, Hershberg, Ghebrai & MacDonald LLP

About Rusonik, O'Connor, Ross, Hershberg, Ghebrai & MacDonald LLP

Rusonik, O'Connor, Ross, Hershberg, Ghebrai and MacDonald LLP is a Toronto firm with more than twenty lawyers, all of whom practise criminal defence exclusively. None of the partners take on Crown prosecution work or any other area of law. The firm traces its roots to Pinkofskys Criminal Trial and Appeal Lawyers, which its own site calls one of the most influential criminal defence firms in Canadian legal history. Pinkofskys' founder, Jack Pinkofsky, was awarded the G. Arthur Martin Criminal Justice Medal, an honour the firm describes as symbolizing a career spent championing justice, fairness, and the rights of the accused.

Managing partner Reid Rusonik articled at Pinkofskys, was called to the bar in Ontario in 1989, became a partner there in 1992, and later served as the firm's managing partner for more than fifteen years before it merged into the practice operating today. Named partner Jeff Hershberg argued R. v. Smickle, in which the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled in 2013 that the mandatory minimum sentence for a first time firearm possession offence was unconstitutional. The firm's lawyers appear at every level of court in Ontario, from the Ontario Court of Justice up through the Court of Appeal, and it sums up its approach with a motto, virtus et honos: strength paired with honour.

Practice areas

Criminal Defence

Milestones & recognition

The firm traces its origins to Pinkofskys Criminal Trial and Appeal Lawyers, described on its own site as one of the most influential criminal defence firms in Canadian legal history.
Pinkofskys' founder, Jack Pinkofsky, was awarded the G. Arthur Martin Criminal Justice Medal, an honour the firm describes as symbolizing a career spent championing justice, fairness, and the rights of the accused.
Managing partner Reid Rusonik articled at Pinkofskys, was called to the bar in Ontario in 1989, and served as Pinkofskys' managing partner for more than fifteen years before it merged into the current firm.
Named partner Jeff Hershberg argued R. v. Smickle, in which the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled in 2013 that the mandatory minimum sentence for a first time firearm possession offence was unconstitutional.
Named partner Ehsan Ghebrai is a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law with the Law Society of Ontario.

In the community

Managing partner Reid Rusonik regularly contributes opinion pieces on criminal justice to the Toronto Star.
Named partner Liam O'Connor has spoken on criminal law matters for the Law Society of Ontario, the Criminal Lawyers' Association, the Ontario Bar Association, the Hamilton Criminal Lawyers' Association, and law schools including Osgoode Hall, Queen's University, and the University of New Brunswick, as well as for the Ontario Justice Education Network.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible A blue parking sign beside a car in a parking space

Parking available A laptop showing a video call

Virtual appointments A calendar with a checkmark beside a clock

By appointment

Fees & payment

A clipboard with a speech bubble and a no-charge dollar coin

Free consultation Scales of justice and a gavel above a Legal Aid banner

Legal aid

Lawyers 26

Certified Specialists

A designation granted by the Law Society of Ontario, not a self-declared area of focus.

Ehsan GhebraiCriminal Law (Law Society of Ontario)

This firm’s lawyers at a glance

Called to the bar: 1989–1995 · median 34 years in practice 2 of 26 lawyers
Law schools: Osgoode Hall Law School (4), Queen's University (2), University of Western Ontario (2), University of Windsor (2), Dalhousie University, Lakehead University and 4 more 16 of 26 lawyers
Languages on the roster: Dari, English, Polish

Who handles what

Offices 2

Head Office416-598-1811

480 University Avenue, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1V2

Toronto416-433-2402

36 Lombard Street, Suite 100, Toronto, ON M5C 2X3

The neighbourhood

The firm's office is at 480 University Avenue, in a tower built in 1968 as Global House, an office building designed by WZMH Architects. That stretch of University Avenue is part of what's known as the city's hospital row, home to Toronto General Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and the Hospital for Sick Children. The same avenue, further south, is also home to Osgoode Hall and the Toronto courthouse, and the University subway line runs beneath its length for its entire route through downtown.

Frequently asked questions

Does Rusonik, O'Connor, Ross, Hershberg, Ghebrai & MacDonald LLP handle anything besides criminal defence?: No. By the firm's own description, none of its lawyers practise any other area of law or work part time as Crown attorneys. The partnership is built around criminal defence only, at every level of court in Ontario.
I've been charged with possessing a firearm or drugs, can the firm help?: This is the kind of case the firm handles. Named partner Jeff Hershberg argued R. v. Smickle, a case in which the Ontario Court of Appeal struck down the mandatory minimum sentence for a first time firearm possession offence as unconstitutional.
Does the firm take on murder charges, or only less serious offences?: The firm's lawyers represent clients across the full range of criminal charges, from murder to impaired driving, and appear at every level of court in Ontario, from the Ontario Court of Justice up through the Court of Appeal.
How long has the firm been practising criminal defence in Toronto?: The firm traces its history back to Pinkofskys Criminal Trial and Appeal Lawyers. Managing partner Reid Rusonik articled there, was called to the bar in 1989, and later ran Pinkofskys as managing partner for more than fifteen years before it merged into the practice operating today.
Someone I know was just arrested. Is there a way to reach the firm after hours?: The firm lists a 24 hour emergency line at 416 598 1811 on its site, in addition to its regular office number.
Where is the firm located?: The firm's office is at 480 University Avenue, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1V2.

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Listing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗