Our Firm’s History: Toronto
The Strategic Criminal Defence Toronto story is one of mentorship, expansion, and a dedication to serving clients across the Greater Toronto Area with trusted criminal defence representation.
2016: Founding of the Toronto Office
The Toronto office began in 2016, when criminal defence lawyer, Dylan Finlay, returned home after articling in Calgary under the guidance of Michael Oykhman at Savage Oykhman Law. With a drive to deliver accessible, strategic defence services in Ontario, Dylan launched the Toronto practice under the Oykhman Criminal Defence brand. From the beginning, the focus was clear: dedicated criminal defence for people throughout the GTA.
2016 – 2022: Growing a Local Reputation
Over the next several years, Dylan represented clients across Toronto and Southern Ontario, growing the firm’s presence through strong results and referrals. The practice focused exclusively on criminal law, allowing deep familiarity with both courtroom advocacy and the nuances of police investigation procedures.
2022 – 2024: Expansion of the Toronto Team
In 2022, Toronto criminal defence lawyer, Lorant Kiss, joined the firm. His extensive criminal law practice strengthened our capacity and enhanced client service across the region.
In 2024, criminal defence lawyer, Justin Marchand, joined Strategic Criminal Defence Toronto, contributing to continued growth and providing added resources for clients facing serious criminal charges.
2025: Rebranding to Strategic Criminal Defence
As part of a national brand alignment and evolution, Oykhman Criminal Defence rebranded as Strategic Criminal Defence in 2025. The update unified the firm’s identity across Canada and more accurately reflected the strategic, client-focused advocacy that has guided the Toronto office since its founding.
While the name changed, the lawyers, leadership, and commitment to excellence remain unchanged.
Today
Strategic Criminal Defence Toronto operates as part of a network of independent yet collaborative criminal defence offices in Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, and Victoria. The office continues to champion a practical approach to every case: carefully reviewing disclosure to identify investigative errors, protecting individual rights, and providing advice tailored to each client’s goals.
As we look ahead, our dedication remains constant. We will continue to deliver exceptional advocacy and uphold the highest standards of criminal defence for individuals across the Greater Toronto Area and Southern Ontario.
