Michael Oykhman

Criminal Lawyer

About Michael Oykhman

I am an Alberta-based senior lawyer at Savage Oykhman Law (an association of independent practices) and am the Founder of Strategic Criminal Defence, a Full-Service Criminal Law firm with central law offices across Western Canada and Ontario. My professional experience consists of countless court appearances and thousands of successful defences and satisfied clients. Over the last 10 years, I have worked to build a law office where all the lawyers share our collective experience, resources, and passion to help people. Our team approach to legal representation is client-centred rather than only law-centred. We look for opportunities to add value to our clients through strategic thinking and creative solutions.

Not every case is won through trial. In fact, the best results are often achieved through alternative resolution strategies, so that the matter never gets to trial. Although I am trained as a trial lawyer, I prefer to be viewed as a problem solver. My goal is to provide each and every client with the top quality of care and the best result possible.

In my professional legal career, I have successfully defended hundreds upon hundreds of criminal cases. I have appeared at all levels of court in Alberta, including at the Supreme Court of Canada. I am also currently the Advising Lawyer for Student Legal Assistance, a non-profit organization of law students at the University of Calgary dedicated to providing legal services and access to justice to low-income individuals.

Credentials & Associations

As a Criminal Defence Lawyer I am always striving to learn more about my field. The following are the most recent educational and informational conferences in which I have either participated or presented, and the organizations I belong to:

  • University of Calgary Law School Trial Advocacy Annual Instructor – 2017-Present
  • University of Calgary First Year Crime Guest Lecturer – 2016/17/18
  • University of Calgary Law 688 Clinical Practice Guest Lecturer – 2018/19
  • Criminal Defence Lawyers Association Education Director – 2016
  • Student Legal Assistance Criminal Law Boot Camp (Annual Presenter)
  • Student Legal Assistance Impaired Driving Conference (Presenter)
  • Student Legal Assistance Charter Notice Seminar (Presenter)
  • Student Legal Assistance Trial Advocacy Seminar (Annual Presenter)
  • Student Legal Assistance Domestic Violence Defence (Presenter)
  • Court Trial Confirmation Sentencing Presentation (Presenter)
  • Legal Education Society of Alberta Impaired Driving Conference (Presenter)
  • Criminal Defence Lawyers Association Impaired Driving Seminars
  • Criminal Defence Lawyers Association Sexual Assault Seminars
  • 43rd and 45th National Criminal Law Conference
  • Police Interrogation and Evidence Gathering Techniques Seminar
  • Intoxilyzer Breath Alcohol Testing Conference
  • Criminal Trial Lawyers Association Conference
  • Active Member of Calgary Bar Association
  • Active Member of the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association
  • Active Member of the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association
  • Active Member of the British Columbia Trial Lawyers Association
  • Active Member of the Law Society of British Columbia and Alberta

Education and Awards

I obtained a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Calgary in 2006 with the following distinctions:

  • Crown Association Prize (top grade in first year criminal law)
  • Gale Cup Moot Competition finalist (first ever finalist finish for UofC)

I obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, with a minor in English from the University of Calgary in 2003. Along the way, I received the following distinctions:

  • Suncor Energy Scholarship
  • Louise McKinney Scholarship
  • Jason Lang Scholarship

Areas of Practice

  • Impaired Driving and Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS)
  • Criminal Driving Offences
  • Domestic Assault and Violent Offences
  • Sexual Offences
  • Drug Offences including Possession and Trafficking

Memberships

  • Law Society of Alberta
  • Law Society of British Columbia
  • Roster Lawyer, Legal Aid Alberta
  • Calgary Defence Lawyers Association
  • Calgary Bar Association

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Calgary (2003)
  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Calgary (2006)

Client Reviews

Ellen did wonderful stuff for me and got my charges stayed she is an awesome lawyer and I would recommend her too anyone thank you so much for your help this past year

S.

Best lawyer in town I highly recommend DAN and his team they went above and beyond on my case best experience with this law firm highly highly recommend

F.E.

I highly recommended Jessica she got all my charges withdrawn and I didn’t even have to show up to one court hearing she took care of everything so I got to stay working and didn’t have to miss a day the only time I was going to have to show up was trial but it didn’t get that far before she got all charges withdrawn if I could give them a ten I would best lawyer I’ve ever had and actually tried to get them withdrawn not just get me fines and on probation!!!

J.A.

I’m glad I made the right choice to retain the legal services of Mr. Daniel Murphy who represented me in a very difficult criminal case that was very hard to beat due to the circumstances surrounding the case. Mr. Murphy advised me wisely and approached the matter with a well-planned legal strategy. He is well versed with the law and plans ahead. I’m grateful for the depth of intellect he has brought to the court. He is firm, fair and understands the tactics of the crown prosecutors and will not be caught unaware of their plans.

I.A.
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