About William Murray

The criminal justice system is intimidating and its consequences can be harsh. The police, the Crown Attorney’s Office, and usually a witness or two are working against you, but they don’t have all the answers. My job is to fight for you. This means pursuing your agenda, figuring out the best plan going forward, and pushing your interests vigorously at every stage.

The first step is to learn about your situation and answer your questions about the legal process. I want to meet you and get to work, the sooner the better. We need to obtain what’s referred to as “disclosure”: all the materials the police have gathered about your case, including their reports, notes, witness statements and evidence. Then we can assess your options and determine what can realistically be done for you.

By nature, I am extremely determined and I will work tirelessly to ensure that you get the very best possible result. I’ve been a lawyer for over twenty years and I’m fortunate to have a job I love: making certain that my clients are treated fairly and that their perspective is properly reflected in the final outcome.

Representing people charged with criminal and regulatory offences in Ottawa and across Eastern Ontario, I have a record of success at various courts in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Appeal in Toronto. I am a member of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association, the Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa, the County of Carleton Law Association, and the Law Society of Ontario.

I grew up in Ottawa, where I attended Lisgar Collegiate. I have a Master in Laws (LL.M) degree in Human Rights from the London School of Economics, as well as a BA from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of Manitoba. I ran for the provincial NDP in 2007 and narrowly missed being elected. I have also fought hard on larger societal issues such as improving mental health services and halting urban sprawl, and support numerous community-based organizations. Since beginning to practise in 1997, my entire professional focus has been on working as a defence lawyer to obtain the best results for my clients.