Sudine Riley

Trial-tested criminal litigator with courtroom experience in Ontario and more than a decade of prior practice in Jamaica, including 100+ files taken to trial. Conducts trials in both the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice, including jury trials, with deep working knowledge of evidence, bail, pre-trial and sentencing law, with particular depth in sexual offence prosecutions and the s. 276 and s. 278 regimes that balance fair-trial rights with complainant privacy. Brings a public-service orientation from Legal Aid duty counsel work, post-secondary legal teaching, and national youth-justice program leadership.

Criminal Lawyer at Aitken Robertson Criminal and DUI Defence (2023-08 – Present)

• Conduct trials in the Superior Court of Justice, including jury trials, and in the Ontario Court of Justice
• Achieved favourable verdicts in 80% of Ontario Court of Justice trials
• Secured release in 100% of bail hearings and bail reviews, including high-stakes matters
• Litigate s. 276 and s. 278 applications in sexual offence matters, engaging directly with the balance between fair-trial rights and complainant privacy
• Lead Crown and judicial pre-trials to narrow issues and reach resolution; favourable outcomes in 90% of plea and sentencing matters
• Cross-examine witnesses and test evidence at trial; draft applications and briefs grounded in the rules of evidence and the Canada Evidence Act
• Manage a high-volume caseload with consistent attention to deadlines and disclosure

Criminal Lawyer at Burton Criminal Law (2023-02 – 2023-08)

• Carried files from intake through trial or resolution in the Ontario Court of Justice
• Appeared at bail and detention reviews, set date and video remand court
• Conducted contested and discovery preliminary inquiries, Crown and judicial pre-trials, pleas and sentencing
• Prepared case briefs, memoranda, factums and motions for partners

Criminal Lawyer at Dominion Criminal Defence and Appeals (2022-10 – 2023-02)

• Represented clients at trial and on appeal; prepared briefs and opinions on new cases and appeals
• Assisted senior counsel on complex criminal trials, including jury trials
• Conducted pre-trials, plea negotiations and sentencing hearings in the Ontario Court of Justice

Legal Counsel at Kinghorn & Kinghorn (2014-01 – 2017-12)

• Appeared at all levels of court in criminal, civil, estate and family proceedings, and at mediation and arbitration
• Took over 100 files to trial while carrying a caseload of 80+ files
• Prepared witnesses, experts and clients for trial; researched and drafted memoranda for senior counsel
• Supervised three paralegals and managed a satellite office; achieved an 85% settlement rate in motor vehicle insurance disputes

Duty Counsel at Legal Aid (2014-01 – 2017-01)

• Represented members of the public at bail hearings and trials at all levels of court, and in Family Court
• Connected vulnerable clients with medication management, housing and counselling services

Legal Intern at Cummings & Co-Archer and Reitzen Hernandez (2012 – 2013)

• Assisted with trial preparation in criminal and personal injury matters; organized trial exhibits
• Drafted motions, memoranda and correspondence; conducted legal research and client interviews; attended mediations

Program Manager, Black Youth Justice Program at Level Justice (2025-08 – 2026-08)

• Directed national design and delivery of the 2025–2026 program across Victoria, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax, reaching 221 youth
• Researched anti-Black racism in the justice system to inform curriculum; built evidence-based content for the program's Moodle platform
• Designed needs assessments and outcome tracking to evaluate impact across sites; advanced approval with the Toronto District School Board
• Chaired multi-city stakeholder meetings; managed program budget and resource allocation; authored the Executive Director handover report

Paralegal Studies Lecturer at Anderson College (2024-05 – Present)

• Teach core legal subjects; design course materials and assessments; mentor students toward paralegal licensing

Teacher at Holy Childhood High and St. Hugh's High (2006-01 – 2013-01)

• Taught History, Social Studies and Caribbean Studies to grades 7–13

Personal Banking Representative at CIBC – Simplii Financial (2019-01 – 2020-01)

Barrister and Solicitor – Law Society of Ontario (2022)

LLM in Canadian Common Law – Osgoode Hall Law School (2020)

Certificate of Legal Education – Norman Manley Law School (2013)

LLB – University of London (2009)

BA in History and Philosophy – University of the West Indies (2006)