Pre-Trial Motions with Leora Shemesh

“You take your cues from your client. If he’s black and blue and he’s adamant that he was done wrong by the police, I bring the application. And I don’t hope for success, I drive it for success. You are their voice and their advocate and you’re going to vigorously put their application before the court to suggest that this was not okay, this was not right. Is it the clearest of cases? That’ll be up to the judge to decide however, you litigate the case as if it’s the clearest of cases.”

Leora Shemesh has appeared at all levels of Court, and continues to maintain a busy practice focusing on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and defending her client’s constitutional rights. Leora has been a part of ground-breaking cases involving the legalization of marijuana in the now infamous case of Regina v. Hitzig. She had challenged the limits of strip searches on women in York Region and she has vigorously defended many clients defending their constitutional rights to privacy, and security. Leora’s practice focuses on search warrants, search and seizure and the police use of excessive force. Leora defends all of her clients vigorously and persuasively with compassion and passion. Leora often assists young criminal lawyers in Toronto with mentorship and guidance. Learn about Leora’s practice with Pre-Trial Motions and her advice for lawyers in this area.

Produced by: Zenia Sethna and Jason Cooper