Leora Shemesh

Criminal Lawyer

Leora Shemesh Law

Leora Shemesh graduated Osgoode Hall Law School in 2000.
Ms. Shemesh was the winner of the Gale Cup Mooting Competition and the winner of the Criminal Law - Stephen Leggett award.

Ms. Shemesh initially articled for Greenspan Humphrey Levine and then went on to complete her articles with Paul Burstein. Ms. Shemesh was a partner at the law firm of Neuberger Rose LLP, before she opened her own law practice in 2006.

Ms. Shemesh’s practice for many years focused on search warrants. Ms. Shemesh has appeared at all levels of Court, and continues to maintain a busy practice focusing on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and defending her client’s constitutional rights. Ms. Shemesh has been a part of groundbreaking cases involving the legalization of marijuana in the now infamous case of Regina v. Hitzig. She had challenged the limits of strip searches on women in York Region and she has vigorously defended many clients defending their constitutional rights to privacy, and security. Ms. Shemesh’ practice focuses on search warrants, search and seizure and the police use of excessive force. Ms. Shemesh defends all of her clients vigorously and persuasively with compassion and passion.

Ms. Shemesh was an educator with the Toronto Advocates Society and the Young lawyers’ Criminal Lawyers Association and has guest lectured at Osgoode Hall Law School. Ms. Shemesh often assists young criminal lawyers in Toronto with mentorship and guidance.



Ms Shemesh continues to argue extremely serious cases including murder, manslaughter, attempted murder and various guns and gangs offenses. More recently - Ms Shemesh has been successful in various homicide cases including Regina v. Jabril Abdalla. She has been extremely successful in defending those charged with the most serious offenses in the Criminal Code of Canada. In addition, Ms Shemesh is the Vice President of the Abraham Global Peace Initiative a ground breaking organization that seeks to combat racism and antisemitism on a global scale.