Graeme is widely recognised as one of Canada’s foremost practitioners in white collar criminal defence and government investigations. He acts for corporations and individuals in significant criminal and regulatory cases and is frequently instructed in internal investigations and related civil proceedings. The Legal 500 describes the practice he leads as “a reference in the market for white-collar investigations and prosecutions.”
His cases include R. v. Barra, in which he successfully defended an individual prosecuted under the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act in a landmark bribery prosecution.
Graeme has a substantial public law practice encompassing constitutional and administrative law. He acts for corporations, individuals, public bodies and regulators before courts and administrative tribunals.
He is also instructed in international trade, securities and commercial disputes.
Graeme is recognized by Chambers Canada for White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations and International Trade/WTO. Benchmark Litigation identifies him as a Litigation Star, while Lexpert lists him as Repeatedly Recommended for White Collar Defence & Investigations.
Graeme is an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, where he teaches Evidence, and previously taught Trial Advocacy at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. He has also appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs as an expert in criminal and constitutional law.
Experience
- Reference re iGaming Ontario – counsel to NSUS in reference to Ontario Court of Appeal and subsequent appeal to Supreme Court of Canada concerning the legality of Ontario’s proposed model for online gaming and sports betting.
- Counsel to Whirlpool Canada LP in appeal to Canadian International Trade Tribunal concerning tariff classification of washers and dryers.
- Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario v. Ontario Association of Architects – counsel to Ontario Association of Architects in successful appeal overturning finding of contempt for actions taken in exercise of statutory mandate.
- Canada (Commissioner of Competition) v. Amazon.com.ca, ULC - counsel to Amazon in Commissioner of Competition’s appeal to Federal Court of Appeal of lower court’s refusal to grant production order in “online reviews” inquiry under deceptive marketing provisions of the Competition Act.
- Counsel to electronics company in internal investigation and voluntary disclosure to the Canada Border Services Agency regarding Customs Act non-compliance.
- Counsel to construction company in successful challenge to imposition of $52 million in anti-dumping and countervailing duties, interest and taxes on imported steel products.
- P1 v. XYZ School – counsel in precedent-setting case concerning media’s ability to challenge interlocutory publication ban and balancing of open court principle against privacy of minors.
- R. v. Barra – successful defence of an individual prosecuted under the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act in landmark bribery prosecution.
- Reference re iGaming Ontario – counsel to NSUS in reference to Ontario Court of Appeal and subsequent appeal to Supreme Court of Canada concerning the legality of Ontario’s proposed model for online gaming and sports betting.
- Counsel to Whirlpool Canada LP in appeal to Canadian International Trade Tribunal concerning tariff classification of washers and dryers.
- Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario v. Ontario Association of Architects – counsel to Ontario Association of Architects in successful appeal overturning finding of contempt for actions taken in exercise of statutory mandate.
- Canada (Commissioner of Competition) v. Amazon.com.ca, ULC - counsel to Amazon in Commissioner of Competition’s appeal to Federal Court of Appeal of lower court’s refusal to grant production order in “online reviews” inquiry under deceptive marketing provisions of the Competition Act.
- Counsel to electronics company in internal investigation and voluntary disclosure to the Canada Border Services Agency regarding Customs Act non-compliance.
- Counsel to construction company in successful challenge to imposition of $52 million in anti-dumping and countervailing duties, interest and taxes on imported steel products.
- P1 v. XYZ School – counsel in precedent-setting case concerning media’s ability to challenge interlocutory publication ban and balancing of open court principle against privacy of minors.
- R. v. Barra – successful defence of an individual prosecuted under the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act in landmark bribery prosecution.
