Criminal Lawyers Association

Welcome to the Criminal Lawyers' Association (CLA), one of the largest specialty legal organizations in Canada with over 1,800 members. We are a prominent voice for criminal justice and civil liberties in the country, providing advice and perspective to all levels of government and the judiciary on issues related to legislation and the administration of criminal justice. Our association is dedicated to assisting our members in every aspect of the practice of criminal litigation and promoting equal access to justice for all.

Who We Are

The CLA is a not-for-profit organization governed by an executive and board of directors elected by the membership. Our association is committed to providing comprehensive education programs for criminal law practitioners. Each fall, we host the most comprehensive annual criminal defence law conference in Canada, featuring leading counsel and lecturers from Canada and abroad. The three-day event includes a wide range of sessions covering various aspects of criminal law practice and concludes with the presentation of the G. Arthur Martin Criminal Justice Medal to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to criminal justice.

History

The CLA was established in 1991 by a group of committed criminal lawyers who recognized the need for a national association to represent the interests of criminal defence lawyers in Canada. Since then, the association has grown to become one of the most influential voices in criminal justice and civil liberties in Canada, providing support and resources to members and advocating for equal access to justice for all.

Governing Body

The CLA's governing body is its executive and board of directors, who are elected by the membership. The association's governance structure is designed to ensure effective representation of the interests of criminal defence lawyers across Canada. The executive and board of directors meet regularly to discuss the association's strategic direction, priorities and initiatives.

Committees

The CLA has a number of committees that support the association's work. These committees include the Legislation Committee, which makes submissions on behalf of members to Legislative Committees at both the federal and provincial levels, and the Young Lawyers Committee, which presents free education programs for the benefit of younger members. The association is often called upon to seek intervenor status in cases before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Awards and Initiatives

The CLA presents the G. Arthur Martin Criminal Justice Medal each year to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to criminal justice. The association is active in the debate about the importance of a strong, independent and well-funded legal aid program and advocates for equal access to justice for everyone charged with a criminal offence.

Education

The CLA developed and hosts education programs for criminal law practitioners. The association offers the most comprehensive annual criminal defence law conference in Canada, which includes leading counsel and lecturers from Canada and elsewhere. The CLA Newsletter, For The Defence, is Canada's foremost newsletter on Criminal Law and contains material to keep readers informed and up-to-date with legal developments. The association encourages contributions from all sources for this publication.

Membership

Membership in the CLA is open to any individual who is a member in good standing of a law society in Canada. The association provides a wide range of resources and benefits to members, including education programs, the CLA Newsletter and representation on issues related to criminal justice and civil liberties.

Partnerships

The Criminal Lawyers' Association is an affiliate of the U.S. National Association of Criminal Defence Lawyers and works closely with The Canadian Counsel of Criminal Defence Lawyers (CCCDL), The County and District Law President's Association (CDLPA) and other key stakeholders in the legal field.