The Hon. Justice Suhail Akhtar
Superior Court of Justice (ON)
Justice Akhtar practiced criminal law under various organizations from his call to the Bar of Ontario in 1998 up to 2013, including the Crown Prosecution Service, Ministry of the Attorney General and Crown Law Office.
Setting the Stage
Michelle Booker
BC Prosecution Service, Criminal Appeals and
Special Prosecutions
Michelle joined BCPS in 2009 and spent the next nine years prosecuting violent criminal offences. In 2018, she joined the Prosecution and Support Unit and now provides resource and litigation support to prosecutors across the province. Michelle teaches Advanced Trial Advocacy at Allard School of Law.
Unpacking the Facts
The Hon. Justice Michael Brundrett
BC Court of Appeal
Justice Brundrett was a senior lawyer with the BC Ministry of Justice, Criminal Justice Branch prior to his appointment in 2017. He was a co-editor of the Working Manual of Criminal Law and coordinator of the Jury Trial Resource Counsel group at the Criminal Justice Branch.
Raising a Reasonable Doubt
Mark Bussanich
BC Prosecution Service
Mark has over 20 years of experience as a lawyer. He practiced criminal law and acted as an ad hoc prosecutor before working at LSBC in the Professional Conduct Group and then as Discipline Counsel. He returned to the practice of criminal law as Crown counsel in 2017 and currently serves as Director of the B.C. Crown Counsel Association.
Restorative Approaches to Sentencing
Stephanie Dickson
Pender Litigation
Stephanie's practice encompasses criminal, regulatory, administrative, constitutional, and select civil matters. She is dedicated to representing vulnerable witnesses in the justice system and teaches the law of consent to high school students across the Lower Mainland. She acts as ad hoc counsel in criminal prosecutions and serves as supervising lawyer for the UBC Innocence Project and UBC Criminal Clinic.
Restorative Approaches to Sentencing
Ian Donaldson, KC
Donaldson's Law
Ian practices criminal law and ancillary civil litigation. He has served on numerous committees and task forces, including the Joint Justice Planning Committee, Task Force on the Reform of the Criminal Code and the Street Crime Working Group. Ian was also Vice President and BC representation on the Federation of Law Societies of Canada.
Raising a Reasonable Doubt
Michaela Donnelly, KC
BC Prosecution Service
Michaela specializes in major crime prosecutions, such as homicide and dangerous-offender applications, and is a recognized expert on issues related to not criminally responsible by reason of mental disorder, providing training for prosecutors and police.
Fit to Face the Court?
The Hon. Justice Richard Fowler
Supreme Court of BC
Justice Fowler was called to the B.C. and Yukon Bars, and he appeared in hundreds of criminal trials across both provinces. He has worked extensively to improve access to justice and helped form the Association of Legal Aid Lawyers. He was appointed King's Counsel in 2014.
Unpacking the Facts
The Hon. Justice Eric V. Gottardi
Supreme Court of BC
Justice Gottardi practiced criminal defence, constitutional and extradition law as a trial and appellate counsel before his appointment. He was named a Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers in 2019 and King's Counsel in 2020.
Setting the Stage
The Hon. Judge Reginald Harris
Provincial Court of BC
Judge Harris was appointed to the judiciary in 2010. He currently serves as the Regional Administrative Judge in the Vancouver Region and is on the Reconciliation Action Committee and CAPCJ Equity and Diversity Committee.
Fit to Face the Court?
The Hon. Judge Timothy Hinkson
Provincial Court of BC
Judge Hinkson was called to the bar in 2009 and had a diverse practice. He worked with the BC Prosecution Service, practiced as criminal defence counsel and served as a civil litigator defending professionals in negligence and related claims. He is an active volunteer in the legal profession and a mentor to many younger lawyers.
The Capacity for Culpability
Louise Kenworthy, KC
BC Prosecution Service
Louise has served as Crown counsel since 2004 and frequently lectures on a wide range of topics to Crown and defence lawyers, police, law students and the public. She was awarded the King's Counsel designation in 2023 and is recognized for her contributions to the R. v. Coban prosecution team.
Raising a Reasonable Doubt
The Hon. Judge Jennifer Lopes
Provincial Court of BC
Judge Lopes was appointed to the judiciary in 2018. Previously, she worked as Crown counsel in various roles including trial prosecutor and early resolution/arraignment prosecutor. She spent the majority of her career as an advocate for people from ethnically diverse backgrounds and those with mental health and addiction issues.
Restorative Approaches to Sentencing
Rob MacGowan
BC Prosecution Service
Rob has served as Crown counsel at the Abbotsford office since 2008. During his time with the Crown, Rob has primarily engaged in trial work, prosecuting cases ranging from minor theft to first degree murder. He regularly lectures at the RCMP’s Pacific Regional Training Centre.
The Capacity for Culpability
Rebecca McConchie
McConchie Criminal Law
Rebecca started her legal career in Toronto where she clerked at the Superior Court and joined a top criminal defence firm. After moving back to B.C. in 2015, she worked under Peck and Company Barristers before founding her own firm. She is the current President of the Trial Lawyers Association of BC and an adjunct professor at Allard School of Law where she teaches Advanced Criminal Procedure.
The Capacity for Culpability
Matthew Nathanson
Matthew Nathanson Law
Matthew specializes in complex criminal trials, with extensive experience dealing with constitutional arguments, appeals and media-sensitive cases. Matthew has represented clients across Canada, as well as internationally, liaising with counsel in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.
Expertise Tipping the Scales
Gloria Ng
Platform Litigation
Gloria represents clients facing serious criminal charges, regularly mounting constitutional challenges as part of her trial practice. She serves as President of the Criminal Defence Advocacy Society and regularly speaks at Allard School of Law in various classes such as The Allan McEachern Course in Trial Advocacy.
A Trauma-Informed Courtroom
Tony C. Paisana
Peck and Company
Tony is a criminal lawyer who acts as Crown counsel in special prosecutions involving conflicts of interest with the BC Prosecution Service. He is the editor of CanLII's Criminal Law eBook and teaches a course on preventing wrongful convictions at Allard School of Law. He is a founding member of the Criminal Defence Advocacy Society and a supervising lawyer with the UBC Innocence Project.
Unpacking the Facts
Caroline Senini
Peck and Company
Caroline represents clients in criminal, constitutional and regulatory matters, with expertise in complex criminal trials involving mental health. Caroline was awarded the 2025 CBABC WLF Kathryn Sainty, KC Rising Star Award for her outstanding contributions to the legal community within her first 10 years of practice.
Fit to Face the Court?
The Hon. Justice Michael Tammen
Supreme Court of BC
Justice Tammen worked as a criminal lawyer for 28 years, both as defence and prosecution, before his appointment to the judiciary. From 1999 onwards he was a sole practitioner. He was added to the list of B.C. special prosecutors in 2009 and was appointed King’s Counsel in 2013.
Expertise Tipping the Scales
Marko Vojvodic
BC Prosecution Service, Criminal Appeals and
Special Prosecutions
Marko began his career practicing commercial litigation before joining BCPS and later becoming a part of the Organized and Major Crime Unit. Marko also coaches Allard School of Law students competing in criminal trial advocacy and teaches a course on legal rights under the Charter.
Expertise Tipping the Scales
Alexander M. Willms
BC Prosecution Service, Criminal Appeals and
Special Prosecutions
Alexander works in the Organized and Major Crime Unit of the BC Prosecution Service. He previously operated a solo criminal law practice and was part of the defence team in the Surrey Six Trial. He also has experience outside of criminal law, having worked at the Law Society of BC in investigations, monitoring and enforcement.
A Trauma-Informed Courtroom
The Hon. Justice Janet Winteringham
BC Court of Appeal
Justice Winteringham previously practiced criminal and constitutional law, regularly serving as an ad hoc special prosecutor for the Crown. She was appointed King's Counsel in 2009 and a fellow of the International Society of Barristers in 2014.
A Trauma-Informed Courtroom