LawDB lists 8 criminal defence law firms in Ottawa, Ontario, with an average Google rating of 4.8 across 623 reviews. 8 of them have a rating of 4.5 or higher. The highest-rated is Shore & Johnston, Barristers-at-Law (5.0 stars from 119 reviews). As the national capital, Ottawa is home to the Supreme Court of Canada and the Federal Court, alongside the provincial courts that hear most local cases.
| Firm | Rating | Reviews | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shore & Johnston, Barristers-at-Law | 5.0 | 119 | 141 Laurier Ave W Ste 600, Ottawa, ON K1P 5J3 | (613) 233-7747 |
| Brett McGarry Criminal Law | 4.9 | 36 | 116 Lisgar St #300, Ottawa, ON K2P 0C2 | (613) 884-8576 |
| McElroy Law | 4.9 | 27 | 185 Somerset St W #305, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L9 | (613) 421-5058 |
| Addelman Baum Gilbert LLP | 4.8 | 226 | 75 Albert St #207, Ottawa, ON K1P 5E7 | (613) 237-2673 |
| Frouhar Law | 4.7 | 71 | 190 O'Connor St Ste 700, Ottawa, ON K2P 1T6 | (613) 238-2000 |
| The Law Offices of Nikolas J. Lust | 4.7 | 43 | 331 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K2P 0J8 | (613) 233-2542 |
| Brass Law Office | 4.7 | 26 | 185 Somerset St W #204, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L9 | (613) 238-5757 |
| AGP LLP Ottawa Criminal Lawyers | 4.6 | 75 | 116 Lisgar St Ste 200, Ottawa, ON K2P 0C2 | (613) 235-9779 |
Criminal defence lawyers represent people charged with offences, from impaired driving and assault to fraud and drug charges, at every stage from the first police contact to trial or appeal.
If cost is a concern, you may qualify for help from Legal Aid Ontario. A defence lawyer can also advise you whether it makes sense to apply.
Criminal defence is often quoted as a flat fee per stage, or a retainer billed hourly. If cost is a concern, ask whether you may qualify for legal aid. Ask about disbursements (third-party costs), taxes, and what happens if your matter changes in scope. Many firms offer a first consultation, but confirm whether it is free.
Shore & Johnston, Barristers-at-Law is one of the highest-rated firms on this page at 5.0 stars, based on 119 Google reviews. The office is at 141 Laurier Ave W Ste 600, Ottawa, ON K1P 5J3. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence, Family Law.
Brett McGarry Criminal Law is one of the highest-rated firms on this page at 4.9 stars, based on 36 Google reviews. The office is at 116 Lisgar St #300, Ottawa, ON K2P 0C2. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence, Civil Litigation.
McElroy Law is one of the highest-rated firms on this page at 4.9 stars, based on 27 Google reviews. The office is at 185 Somerset St W #305, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L9. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence.
Addelman Baum Gilbert LLP is one of the highest-rated firms on this page at 4.8 stars, based on 226 Google reviews. The office is at 75 Albert St #207, Ottawa, ON K1P 5E7. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence.
Frouhar Law has a strong rating at 4.7 stars, based on 71 Google reviews. The office is at 190 O'Connor St Ste 700, Ottawa, ON K2P 1T6. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence.
The Law Offices of Nikolas J. Lust has a strong rating at 4.7 stars, based on 43 Google reviews. The office is at 331 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K2P 0J8. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence.
Brass Law Office has a strong rating at 4.7 stars, based on 26 Google reviews. The office is at 185 Somerset St W #204, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L9. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence.
AGP LLP Ottawa Criminal Lawyers has a strong rating at 4.6 stars, based on 75 Google reviews. The office is at 116 Lisgar St Ste 200, Ottawa, ON K2P 0C2. Listed focus areas: Criminal Defence.
Check that the lawyer is licensed with the Law Society of Ontario, ask how much of their practice is criminal defence, compare Google ratings and review counts, and get the fee structure in writing. Criminal defence is often quoted as a flat fee per stage, or a retainer billed hourly. If cost is a concern, ask whether you may qualify for legal aid.
LawDB currently lists 8 criminal defence firms in Ottawa, Ontario, out of 68 law firms in the city across all practice areas. The average Google rating of these firms is 4.8.
No. Ratings are taken from each firm's public Google listing and cannot be bought. Featured firms are partner placements shown at the top of the list, so look at the rating and reviews alongside the badge.
Lawyers in Ontario are regulated by the Law Society of Ontario, which keeps a public directory you can search by name.
Criminal defence is often quoted as a flat fee per stage, or a retainer billed hourly. If cost is a concern, ask whether you may qualify for legal aid. Fees vary by firm and by the complexity of your matter, so ask for an estimate in writing.
Bring: Any charging documents, release papers or court dates; Details of the incident and anything the police gave you; The names of witnesses; Any messages or records relevant to the charge; Your ID and contact details.
Deadlines depend on the kind of matter and sometimes on a date printed on your documents. Because these deadlines can be short, it is safest to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Yes. Each firm above shows its address and phone number, and the map on the Ottawa page shows where firms are located. You can also use the search box on LawDB to filter by case type and location.
Not sure which firm fits your situation? Search by case type and location.
Find Your LawyerLast reviewed 2026-10. Ratings and review counts come from each firm's public Google business listing and are shown unedited, as a snapshot at the time the page was generated. Featured firms are LawDB partner placements shown above the other listings in their area; Featured status does not change a firm's rating. LawDB is a directory, not a law firm. The general information on this page is not legal advice, and laws and deadlines change, so speak to a licensed lawyer about your situation.