Neil Lawson Criminal Defence

About us

About our practice

Neil Lawson Criminal Defence is the merger of the established criminal law practices of Brendan Neil and Sarah Lawson. Our combined experience allows us to offer quality legal representation for those charged with criminal offences. We bring experience in adult, youth, and mental health matters.

Our team

Overview And Experience

Brendan has been an active volunteer within various community legal organizations. He is the Halton Region Representative of the Board for the Ontario Criminal Lawyers Association as well as sitting in the Board of the Halton Children’s Aid Society. Brendan has previously sat on the Board for the Halton County Law Association. He has also spoken at numerous seminars on criminal law, and is a mentor to new criminal lawyers and youth considering entering the field of law.

Outside of work, Brendan is passionate about health, athletics and the outdoors. He enjoys playing on a weekly hockey team, and he is an avid triathlete. Brendan shares his enjoyment of scuba diving as an instructor for new and experienced divers. Brendan also has an interest in fine spirits and wine, is working on building his wine cellar and is a member of the Dillon’s Sipping Society.

Brendan Neil - BHK, JD, CS

Originally hailing from British Columbia, Brendan received a Bachelor of Human Kinetics and Juris Doctor from the University of British Columbia. After being called to the bar in 2001, Brendan originally practiced law in the Vancouver area. Prior to leaving British Columbia, he was commissioned as an officer in the Canadian Forces and came to Ontario in 2005 as a lawyer for the Judge Advocate General.

Since opening a law practice in Ontario in 2005, Brendan has focused his practice on criminal law, and is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a specialist in criminal law. Brendan is an active trial lawyer and represents clients at all stages of criminal law proceedings, from bail hearings to jury trials and all stages in between.

Phone Number:

905-338-0756

Email:

brendan@neillawson.ca

Sarah Lawson - BSc, JD

Born and raised in Halton, Ontario, Sarah has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from McMaster University and a Juris Doctor from Queen’s University. Called to the bar in 2009, Sarah has been working exclusively as a criminal lawyer since 2012, with a particular focus on the interaction between mental health, addiction and criminal law.

Sarah has always been actively involved in the legal community. She is also a member of the Halton County Law Association, the Hamilton Law Association, and the Hamilton Criminal Lawyers Association

Phone Number:

905-338-0756

Email:

sarah@neillawson.ca

​Sarah balances her legal career with a commitment to health, fitness and community involvement. She enjoys challenging herself physically and has completed numerous triathlons and races, including Tough Mudder. She combines her love of travel with her love of scuba diving, and is working towards her Dive Master certification. Sarah believes it is important to give back to the community, and was a member of the board of the Welcome Inn Community Centre in Hamilton, Ontario from 2012 to 2017.

Corey Gallagher - Licensed Paralegal

Corey works out of our Milton office. As a paralegal licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, Corey makes attendances in court as well as helping to control and organize the mountain of disclosure that comes into the office every month. With previous experience as a paralegal for a standing agent with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, Corey brings with him a unique ability to review and assess disclosure, particularly what is missing from the crown file.

Phone Number:

905-338-0756

Email:

corey@neillawson.ca

Work With Us

Brendan Neil is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Criminal Law