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Solomon Friedman Ottawa Criminal Defence Lawyer

Solomon Friedman

Partner

Email Address

[email protected]

Address

200 Elgin Street, Suite 403, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L5

Solomon Friedman

Partner

Profile

Solomon Friedman is a criminal lawyer and partner at Friedman Mansour LLP.

He represents clients on criminal, quasi-criminal and regulatory charges. Solomon uses his experience, together with his talent for effective oral and written advocacy, to create persuasive and innovative legal arguments, both at trial and on appeal.

Solomon has acted for clients at all levels of court in Canada, including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. He has represented clients in jurisdictions across the country, including Quebec, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Nunavut.

Solomon is also a member of Legal Aid Ontario’s Extremely Serious Criminal Matters (ESM) panel, and can accept Legal Aid certificates for the most serious cases, including murder, dangerous offender applications and terrorism charges. He believes that individuals charged with these offences require robust and vigorous representation, regardless of their ability to pay.

In addition to his legal practice, Solomon writes widely on topics related to criminal law and appears often in the media – print, television and radio – to discuss high-profile cases and new developments in the law. His opinion and feature articles have appeared in newspapers across the country, including the National Post, the Montreal Gazette and the Ottawa Citizen. He was a regular contributor to the Citizen’s bi-weekly column on legal rights and criminal law, entitled “Right to Know.” He is also the co-author of the Annotated Firearms Act and Related Legislation, now in its 4th edition, published by LexisNexis Canada.

Solomon is often called upon to offer his expertise to Parliamentary committees, having testified regarding firearms law and proposed criminal legislation before Standing Committees at both the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada.

Solomon attended the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Common Law, where he graduated, magna cum laude, in 2009. Upon graduation, he was selected to clerk at the Supreme Court of Canada for the Honourable Mr. Justice Morris Fish.

In addition to his work as a trial and appellate lawyer, Solomon is also a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, Common Law Section, where he teaches Evidence and Advanced Criminal Evidence.

Solomon is certified as a specialist in criminal law by the Law Society of Ontario.

Call to the Bar

  • Ontario (2010)
  • Nunavut (2019)
  • Certified Specialist in Criminal Law, Law Society of Ontario

Education

  • LL.B. (Magna Cum Laude), University of Ottawa, 2009
  • B.T.L., Beth Israel College, 2006

Awards

2018 – CCLA Regional Senior Justice Award

2016 – Precedent Magazine Precedent Setter Award

2014 – Ottawa Business Journal / Ottawa Chamber of Commerce Forty Under 40 Award

2012 – CCLA/DCAO Criminal Law Conference Award for Best Paper

2007-2009 – University of Ottawa, First-Class Honours

2009 – Law Society of Upper Canada Award for Outstanding Achievement in Legal Studies

2009 – Osgoode Society Prize for Canadian Legal History

2009 – Law Foundation of Ontario Award

2008 – Edelson & Associates Prize for Highest Standing in Advanced Criminal Procedure

2008 – Catherine Helen MacLean Upper-Year Award

2007-2009 – Canada Millennium Scholarship

2007-2009 – University of Ottawa Merit Scholarship

2007 – Gilbert Greenberg Education Scholarship

2003 – Governor General’s Academic Medal

Reported Cases

Supreme Court of Canada

R. v. J.M., 2019 SCC 24 (counsel for the intervener, Criminal Lawyers’ Association)
R. v. J.M., [2019] S.C.C.A. No. 9 (successful motion for leave to intervene)
R. v. Nur, 2015 SCC 15 (counsel for the intervener, N.F.A.)
R. v. Nur, [2014] S.C.C.A. No. 17 (successful motion for leave to intervene)
R. v. Dunn, 2014 SCC 69 (counsel for the Appellant)
R. v. Dunn, [2013] S.C.C.A. No. 434 (successful leave application)

Ontario Court of Appeal

R. v. B-D.N., 2018 ONCA 248
R. v. Johnston, 2016 ONCA 834
R. v. Logue, 2016 ONCA 659
R. v. Guenter, 2016 ONCA 572
R. v. Hafizi, 2015 ONCA 534
R. v. Vardomskiy, [2014] O.J. No. 858
R. v. Dunn, [2013] O.J. No. 3918
R. v. Avon, [2013] O.J. No. 1797

Other trial and appellate courts

R. v. Peshdary, 2020 ONSC 2168
R. v. Lalonde, [2019] O.J. No. 6681
R. v. C.H., 2019 ONSC 6596
R. v. Bashir, 2019 ONSC 4937
R. v. Bashir, 2019 ONSC 4082
R. v. Valade, 2019 ONSC 3052
R. v. Valade, 2019 ONSC 3033
R. v. Jeaurond, 2019 ONSC 374
R. v. D’Addario, [2018] O.J. No. 7125
R. v. Valade, 2018 ONSC 5539
Peshdary v. Canada (Attorney General), 2018 FC 911
Peshdary v. Attorney General of Canada, 2018 FC 850
R. v. Salt, 2018 ONSC 3452
Attorney General of Canada v. Peshdary, 2018 FC 369
R. v. Peshdary, 2018 ONSC 2487
R. v. Salt, 2018 ONSC 1437
R. v. Mann, 2018 ONSC 1703
R. v. Peshdary, 2018 ONSC 1358
R. v. Morgan, 2018 ONSC 473
R. v. Alkhalil, [2017] O.J. No. 3367
R. v. Nero et al., [2017] O.J. No. 3631
R. v. Nielsen, [2017] O.J. No. 3594
R. v. Morrison, [2017] O.J. No. 1713
R. v. Peshdary, 2017 ONSC 1225
R. v. Singh, 2016 ONSC 6786
R. v. Gao, [2016] O.J. No. 5844
R. v. Tunnoch, [2016] O.J. No. 3113
R. v. Valade, [2016] O.J. No. 2140
R. v. Wilcox, [2016] O.J. No. 853
R. v. Herres, [2015] O.J. No. 7103
R. v. McCray, [2015] N.B.J. No. 292
R. v. Butler, [2015] O.J. No. 6168
R. v. Butler, [2015] O.J. No. 6167
R. v. J.T., [2015] O.J. No. 3170
R. v. J.T., [2015] O.J. No. 3169
R. v. Kawecki, [2015] O.J. No. 4266
R. v. Berube, [2015] O.J. No. 3126
R. v. Lapensée, [2014] O.J. No. 6364
R. v. Kim, [2014] O.J. No. 5687
R. v. Natsis, [2014] O.J. No. 4821
R. v. Vinet, [2014] O.J. No. 2986
2130845 Ontario Inc. o/a Heart & Crown v. Ontario (Alcohol and Gaming Commission, Registrar), 2014 ONSC 3595
R. v. Hafizi, 2014 ONSC 3121
R. v. I. Murray, [2013] O.J. No. 6431
R. v. Mahannah, [2013] O.J. No. 6330
R. v. Baxter, [2013] O.J. No. 6315
R. v. A.V., [2013] O.J. No. 6284
R. v. Alia, [2013] O.J. No. 5592
R. v. Vardomskiy, [2013] O.J. No. 280
R. v. Mansour, [2013] O.J. No. 1077
R. v. McMahon, [2013] O.J. No. 3372
R. v. Vinet, [2013] O.J. No. 2631
R. v. Clark, [2012] M.J. No. 319
R. v. West, [2012] O.J. No. 5109
R. v. Vinet, [2012] O.J. No. 5108
R. v. Vieira-Rodrigues, [2012] O.J. No. 4149
R. v. W. Murray, [2011] O.J. No. 2189
R. v. Shrestha, [2011] O.J. No. 6530

Presentations

  • May 2, 2020, Destination CPD Criminal Law Conference (by Zoom), “Cross-examining the ‘silent witness’ – why everything you know about digital video is wrong”
  • October 19, 2019, CCLA/DCAO Criminal Law Conference (Montebello, QC), “The use of private records in sexual assault cases”
  • September 26, 2019, Ontario Court of Justice East Regional Judges’ Seminar (Kingston, ON), presented lecture on recent developments in the law of sexual assault
  • May 4, 2019, Destination CPD Criminal Law Conference (Las Vegas, NV), presented lecture on s. 278.93 of the Criminal Code
  • November 10, 2018, Criminal Lawyers’ Association Fall Conference (Toronto, ON), presented lecture on expert evidence
  • November 8, 2018, Ontario Court of Justice West Regional Judges’ Seminar (Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON), presented lecture on Bill C-46 (impaired driving amendments)
  • October 13, 2018, CCLA/DCAO Criminal Law Conference (Montebello, QC), “Sentencing trends in child pornography cases”
  • October 3, 2018, National Judicial Institute, participated in training video, “Judging in Your First Five Years: Criminal Law – credibility, W(D) and reasons”
  • May 23, 2018, Ontario Court of Justice Annual Judges’ Conference (Ottawa, ON), presented lecture on Bill C-46 (impaired driving amendments)
  • October 28, 2017, Criminal Lawyers’ Association Fall Conference (Toronto, ON), presented lecture on Bill C-45 (Cannabis Act and related legislation)
  • October 14, 2017, CCLA/DCAO Criminal Law Conference (Montebello, QC), presented a paper on PGP and encrypted communications
  • October 10, 2017, Fleet Safety Council (Ottawa, ON), lectured industry group about corporate liability and due diligence practices
  • June 3, 2017, Criminal Lawyers’ Association Spring Conference (Toronto, ON), presented lecture on challenging forensic science/expert reports
  • December 9, 2016, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Legal Applications Support Unit, guest lecturer at Interception of Private Communications Course
  • October 15, 2016, CCLA/DCAO Criminal Law Conference (Montebello, QC), moderated a panel on sexual assault trials
  • October 15, 2016, CCLA/DCAO Criminal Law Conference (Montebello, QC), presented a paper on forensic phallometric testing
  • September 30, 2016, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Legal Applications Support Unit, guest lecturer at Interception of Private Communications Course
  • September 27, 2016, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Tactical Training Unit, guest lecturer on firearms law and legal liability
  • March 4, 2016, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Legal Applications Support Unit, guest lecturer at Interception of Private Communications Course
  • November 27, 2015, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Legal Applications Support Unit, guest lecturer at Interception of Private Communications Course
  • October 21, 2014, University of Ottawa (Faculty of Law), presented lecture on ethics and professionalism in criminal law
  • October 18, 2014, CCLA/DCAO Criminal Law Conference (Montebello, QC), presented a paper on bias and partiality in expert evidence
  • March 18, 2014, University of Ottawa (Faculty of Law), guest lecture on ethics and professionalism in criminal defence
  • November 30, 2013, Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa, presented at Junior Advocacy Program on the topic of Rowbotham funding applications
  • November 2, 2013, Criminal Lawyers’ Association annual conference (Toronto, ON), presented paper on legal ethics and client perjury
  • August 21, 2013, Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa, presented at Continuing Legal Education event on firearms law and related criminal law issues
  • March 19, 2013, Huffington Post Direct Engagement Show (Toronto, ON), participated in debate/town hall about solutions to urban gun violence
  • March 12, 2013, University of Ottawa (Faculty of Law), guest lecture on ethics and professionalism in criminal defence
  • November 1, 2012, University of Ottawa Criminal Law Panel, presented at criminal law forum for students considering careers in criminal law
  • October 21, 2012, CCLA/DCAO Criminal Law Conference (Montebello, QC), presented paper on the constitutional implications of mandatory minimum sentences for firearms offences
  • March 20, 2012, University of Ottawa (Faculty of Law), guest lecture on ethics and professionalism in criminal defence
  • October 11, 2011, Jewish Law Students Association, lecture on criminal defence law and Jewish ethics
  • August 24, 2011, Jewish Family Services, lecture on criminal defence law and Jewish ethics
  • March 3, 2011, University of Ottawa (Faculty of Law), guest lecture on ethics and professionalism in criminal defence

Publications

Books

  • Jonathan Brunet, Pamela Goode and Solomon Friedman, Annotated Firearms Act & Related Legislation, 4th Edition, LexisNexis Canada
  • Jonathan Brunet, Pamela Goode and Solomon Friedman, Annotated Firearms Act & Related Legislation, 2013/2014 Edition, LexisNexis Canada

Articles

  • October 14, 2019, CCLA/DCAO Criminal Law Conference, “For the Record: Section 278.92 of the Criminal Code”
  • October 13, 2018, CCLA/DCAO Criminal Law Conference, “Sentencing trends in child pornography cases”
  • October 14, 2017, CCLA/DCAO Criminal Law Conference, “PGP and Encrypted Communications”
  • October 15, 2016, CCLA/DCAO Criminal Law Conference, “Phallometric testing: Science and law”
  • November 19, 2014, CCLA/DCAO Criminal Law Conference, “Expert Independence, Bias and Impartiality: A matter for admission or weight?”
  • March 31, 2014, The Criminal Law Quarterly, Volume 60, Number 4, “A Supreme Court that is Granting Power to the State, Not the Mann”, by Solomon Friedman and Michael A. Johnston
  • January 7, 2014, For The Defence (Criminal Lawyers’ Association Magazine), “The Whole Truth: Client Perjury and Defence Counsel’s Professional Obligations”
  • November 3, 2013, Criminal Lawyers’ Association annual conference, “The Whole Truth: Client Perjury and Defence Counsel’s Professional Obligations”
  • December 27, 2012, For The Defence (Criminal Lawyers’ Association Magazine), “Firearms Offences, Mandatory Minimums and the Charter”
  • October 18, 2012, CCLA/DCAO Criminal Law Conference, “Leroy (Smickle) Get Your Gun: Firearms Offences, Mandatory Minimums and the Charter”
  • “Bill C-4: A Sea Change for Federal Not-For-Profit Corporations” (2009) The Canadian Taxpayer, vol. xxxi no. 15
  • “Bargains over Gifts: Joint Bank Accounts and the Presumption of Advancement” (2007) The Canadian Taxpayer, vol. xxix no. 17
  • “A Matter of Interest: The Income Tax Act and Montgomery v. The Queen” (2007) The Canadian Taxpayer, vol. xxix no. 14

 Newspaper columns and op-eds

  • October 3, 2018, The Last Line, “Zen and the Art of Criminal Defence”
  • August 16, 2018, National Post, “Memo to an MP: Don’t conflate lawyers with clients”
  • March 19, 2017, Ottawa Sun, “A modest proposal to prosecutors”
  • September 19, 2016, Ottawa Sun, “Media spotlight’s glare a hopeful precedent for legal system”
  • April 10, 2016, Ottawa Sun, “Fix the cause of jail’s woes, not the jail”
  • March 26, 2016, Ottawa Sun, “After Ghomeshi case, is more legal advice really what victims need?”
  • March 17, 2016, Ottawa Sun, “Linking Mitic’s gun love to crime a misfire”
  • February 8, 2016, Ottawa Sun, “The numbers contradict Ghomeshi case rhetoric”
  • December 13, 2015, Ottawa Sun, “When it comes to marijuana reform, Canadians simply can’t afford to wait”
  • November 10, 2015, The Last Line, “Supreme Court Watch”
  • November 7, 2015, Ottawa Sun, “Carding debate misses the point”
  • August 29, 2015, Ottawa Sun, “Bail should be the rule, not the exception”
  • August 8, 2015, Ottawa Sun, “Embrace a collaborative approach to justice”
  • July 18, 2015, Ottawa Sun, “‘Not criminally responsible’ isn’t about shifting blame”
  • February 15, 2015, The Last Line, “Supreme Court Watch”
  • March 22, 2014, Nanaimo Daily News, “Firearms policy should be based on fact”
  • March 8, 2014, Ottawa Citizen, “You have the right to … not too much”
  • February 1, 2014, Ottawa Citizen, “‘Reid’ it and weep — coercive interrogations the norm in Canada”
  • January 18, 2014, Ottawa Citizen, “The Constitution requires judges to strike down laws that conflict”
  • December 7, 2013, Ottawa Citizen, “Bill C-13: Cyberbullying or legislative bullying?”
  • November 9, 2013, Ottawa Citizen, “Prosecuting Mayor Rob Ford: the devil is in the details”
  • October 25, 2013, Ottawa Citizen, “The ethical dilemma of a lying client”
  • October 4, 2013, Ottawa Citizen, “Government’s control of lawyer funding profoundly unfair”
  • July 20, 2013, Ottawa Citizen, “’1 Lunatic, 1 Ice Pick’ puts obscenity back in limelight”
  • June 1, 2013, Ottawa Citizen, “Changes to law concerning those found ‘not criminally responsible’ must be driven by evidence”
  • April 20, 2013, Ottawa Citizen, “Legal aid off limits to all but the poorest”
  • March 20, 2013, Huffington Post, “Gun control is not crime control – it is crime control theatre”
  • March 1, 2013, Ottawa Citizen, “Appeal process recognizes that even judges make mistakes”
  • February 8, 2013, Ottawa Citizen, “In Ontario, different courts play different roles”
  • November 17, 2012, Ottawa Citizen, “Minimum sentences not proven to work”
  • October 26, 2012, Ottawa Citizen, “Judges have broad range of sentencing options”
  • October 17, 2012, The Last Line, “Supreme Court Watch”
  • October 4, 2012, Ottawa Citizen, “Restraint and proportionality the overarching principles in sentencing”
  • August 23, 2012, Ottawa Citizen, “Bail is a fundamental legal right, not a privilege”
  • July 6, 2012, Ottawa Citizen, “Few remedies available when prosecutors go rogue”
  • June 25, 2012, Ottawa Citizen, “Full disclosure rules prevent ‘trial by ambush’”
  • May 31, 2012, Ottawa Citizen, “Crown’s role to be fair, not necessarily to win”
  • February 24, 2012, Ottawa Citizen, “Even without Bill C-30, police have considerable search powers”
  • February 10, 2012, Ottawa Citizen, “Right to counsel, yes, but there are limits”
  • February 1, 2012, The Last Line, “Supreme Court Watch”
  • January 31, 2012, Landowner Magazine, “Chiefs of police cry wolf again”
  • January 27, 2012, Ottawa Citizen, “Limits on the right to remain silent”
  • October 28, 2011, Ottawa Citizen, “An informed citizen won’t be intimidated”
  • October 17, 2011, National Post, “Firearms laws deny law-abiding citizens their rights”

Professional Affiliations

  • Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa
  • Criminal Lawyers’ Association
  • County of Carleton Law Association

Media Appearances

Watch More Videos

Successful Cases

Drug Charges

Conspiracy to traffic 10+ kg cocaine

Successful Stayed

Driving-Related Charges

Impaired driving, Over 80

Successful Acquittal

Firearms Charges

Possession of a prohibited firearm with readily accessible ammunition

Successful Acquittal

Child pornography cases

Possession and importation of child pornography

Successful Acquittal

Domestic Assault Charges

Domestic assault causing bodily harm

Successful Acquittal

Fraud/White collar charges

Bid-rigging

All Charges Were Stayed

Testimonials

Fady took very good care of me, keeping my best interest in mind and supported me throughout the process. I am very thankful for his help and would absolutely recommend this office and specifically Mr. Mansour.

J. L.

Excellent and precise communications skills. Very clear on what my position was, what the legal actions available were, and what his strategy would be to address the situation. And precise execution. He assured me of my rights and position every step of the way. Made me feel totally comfortable with my rights, and let me continue with my life. Highly recommended.

V. K.

Fady recently represented me in a legal matter during one of the most difficult periods of my life. From the onset, Fady was professional, supportive and reassured me that he would do all he could to ensure a positive outcome, which was achieved. Thank you to Fady and team for your hard work and support!

S. K.
Solomon is an excellent Lawyer, top in the field of firearms legislation. Would definitely invest time and money for his expertise. Thank you Solomon for first, taking my case and second, supporting a injured veteran.
K.J.

The night I was charged with assault after a night out drinking was the worst night of my life. As a police officer, an off duty assault conviction would have jeopardized my career. I have worked closely with lawyers my entire nine year career. Either directly with Crown on a case or through cross-examination by defence counsel and after a few minutes of speaking with Solomon shortly after my arrest I knew his knowledge and ability to articulate legal principles were unmatched. He spent nearly an hour on the phone with me gathering facts and providing clear instructions. Throughout the process he kept me updated as to what was going on and I was extremely impressed with his handling of my case. Solomon did his homework on the accusers and witnesses and prepared an unbelievable defence which ultimately led to the charge being dropped on the first day of trial and allowing me to continue my career as a police officer. I’d recommend Solomon to anybody who is in need of expert legal defence.

B.J.

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