Lorne Sabsay

Lorne Sabsay received his B.A. from the University of Toronto in 1982 in Biology and Political Science. He received his law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School of York University in 1985 and subsequently articled in the area of Criminal Law with Earl J. Levy, Louis Silver and Irwin Koziebrocki. While attending Osgoode Hall Law School, Lorne was an active member of the Community and Legal Aid Services Program (CLASP)—a legal clinic providing services for the indigent in the community—providing legal services in the areas of criminal law, immigration law and civil litigation. He served as leader of the Immigration Section and also served as a member of CLASP's board of directors. In 1987, he received his call to the Bar.

Lorne began his legal career in immigration and criminal law. Within a few years of the commencement of his practice, he turned his specialty to criminal law. Lorne is certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a specialist in criminal law. He has defended clients charged with virtually every offence imaginable, from shoplifting to murder. His success rate is extremely high, even in the most difficult of cases. Since the founding of Cohen, Sabsay LLP in 2001, Lorne has expanded his trial advocacy skills to the civil arena, handling commercial litigation and wrongful dismissal litigation, and representing professionals before professional discipline boards and academic tribunals. He brings to these areas the same skills, expertise and superior advocacy skills that have resulted in significant success in criminal litigation in the past and continues to result in successes in both criminal and civil litigation.

Lorne has spoken at a number of schools and community organizations on law-related topics. He taught in the criminal law section for the bar admission course for six years. Lorne has appeared in various media outlets, including Global Television, CBC, CTV and City TV for his expertise in criminal law and policing issues and has been quoted in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Toronto Sun and many other newspapers throughout Ontario. He was also published in "For the Defense," the newsletter of the Criminal Lawyers Association of Ontario. Lorne was also featured in the W Network series "Crimes of Passion."

In addition to his legal training and expertise, Lorne is an avid practitioner of martial arts. He holds a 4th-degree black belt in karate and teaches mixed martial arts. This training and knowledge has assisted Lorne in any case involving alleged assaults or where self-defence or defence of others is raised. Lorne has developed keen insight into the mechanics of physical confrontation and the dynamics of physical fights and disputes in ways that many other lawyers have not.