Graeme is widely recognized as one of Canada's leading white collar criminal defence practitioners. He has been counsel in several of the most notable white collar and regulatory investigations and prosecutions in recent Canadian history, defending corporations and individuals in landmark bribery, competition, tax evasion, anti-money laundering and securities cases. In addition, Graeme is frequently retained by companies to conduct internal investigations and instructed in related civil litigation.
Graeme additionally specializes in international trade regulation, where his practice encompasses litigation and investigations relating to economic sanctions, export controls, customs laws, and anti-corruption laws. Graeme acts for Canadian and multinational companies in litigation before the Federal Court and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, and in audits and administrative proceedings conducted by the Canada Border Services Agency.
Graeme also has substantial and varied public law experience. He represents and advises public sector organizations, professional regulatory bodies and private sector clients on a range of administrative and constitutional law issues, and has appeared before numerous administrative tribunals and on judicial reviews before the provincial superior courts and the Federal Court.
Beyond these specific areas, Graeme’s trial and appellate practice extends across a wide spectrum of complex civil litigation. Over his nearly two decades in practice, he has won several notable cases involving diverse subjects at first instance and on appeal.
Graeme is an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School where he teaches Evidence. He also previously taught Trial Advocacy at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law for several years. In addition, Graeme has testified as an expert witness on criminal and constitutional law issues before the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on multiple occasions.
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.
- Wang v. Binance Holdings Limited– successfully represented Binance Holdings Limited in a notable case limiting the ability of a Canadian court to assume jurisdiction over a foreign digital assets platform.
- 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.
- Binance Holdings Limited v. Ontario Securities Commission – counsel to Binance Holdings Limited in successful challenge to investigative summons as overbroad and violative of section 8 of the Charter.
- 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.
- Wang v. Binance Holdings Limited– successfully represented Binance Holdings Limited in a notable case limiting the ability of a Canadian court to assume jurisdiction over a foreign digital assets platform.
- 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.
- Binance Holdings Limited v. Ontario Securities Commission – counsel to Binance Holdings Limited in successful challenge to investigative summons as overbroad and violative of section 8 of the Charter.
- 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.
