Lorne Sabsay
Toronto Criminal Lawyer and Civil Litigator

Partner
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Phone: 416-361-9609
Fax: 416-361-9443

Email: Email Me

Lorne has been practicing law since 1987. Certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a specialist in criminal law, Lorne has defended clients charged with virtually every offence imaginable, from shoplifting to murder.

Since 2001, Lorne has also been a civil litigator, with an emphasis on litigation arising from criminal allegations and representing professionals before professional discipline boards and students before academic tribunals. 

In addition to practicing law, Lorne has for most of his career been a frequent contributor to enhancing the skills of other lawyers and students through his teaching of advocacy and legal skills through various legal organizations including the Advocates Society, Osgoode Hall Law School, the Criminal Lawyers Association and the Ontario Bar Association. Lorne has a special interest in the intersection of treatment and justice and is the National Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Drug Treatment Court Professionals. 

In addition to his legal training and expertise, Lorne is an avid practitioner of martial arts. He holds a 5th degree black belt in karate and has achieved the karate teaching designation of Shihan (senior instructor). Lorne is also a brown belt and a two-time World Master Silver Medalist in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Las Vegas, and a Gold Medalist at the Toronto International Jiu Jitsu Championship in 2023.

Areas Of Practice

  • Criminal Law
  • Civil Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Wrongful Dismissal Litigation / Wrongful Termination Litigation
  • Professional Discipline
  • Academic Tribunal Offences

Certified Legal Specialties

Speaking Engagements

  • The Osgoode Certificate in Provincial Offences Court Practice – November 21st, 2020.
  • The Osgoode Certificate in Handling Summary Conviction Offences  – December 5th, 2020.

Published Works (Selected Titles)

Professional Associations And Memberships

  • Canadian Bar Association (CBA) / Ontario Bar Association – called to bar 1987, Criminal Justice Section, Employment and Labour Section, Civil Litigation Section
  • Innocence Canada
  • Criminal Lawyers Association (CLA)
  • Toronto Lawyers Association (TLA)
  • Canadian Association of Drug Treatment Court Professionals, National Executive Director

Past Leadership Positions

  • Immigration Section, Leader
  • CLASP, Member, Board of Directors

Education

  • York University, Osgoode Hall Law School, North York, Ontario, Canada
    • LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws) – 1985
    • Honours: Member, Community and Legal Aid Services Program (CLASP)
  • University of Toronto
    • B.A. – 1982
    • Major: Biology and Political Science