About Metcalfe Law Barristers
Metcalfe Law Barristers is a criminal defence firm based in Toronto, acting for clients throughout Ontario. Our work covers criminal defence, regulatory and administrative law, and appeals. We are committed to careful case preparation, clear communication, and advocacy at every court level.
Laura Metcalfe
Founder & Counsel
Laura Metcalfe is a criminal defence lawyer with extensive experience representing clients throughout Ontario in criminal, regulatory, and administrative matters. Her practice includes trial work, complex litigation, and appeals.
Before founding Metcalfe Law Barristers, Laura worked for several years at the Addario Law Group, where she developed her litigation practice and built a reputation for thorough case preparation and courtroom advocacy. Earlier in her career, she spent five years working with criminal lawyer Alan D. Gold.
Laura is a board member of the Criminal Lawyers' Association (CLA) and sits on the CLA's First Chair Litigation Committee. She is co-author of A Practical Guide to the Charter: Section 10(b) and A Practical Guide to the Charter: Section 11(b), and a contributing author to The Law of Objections in Canada: A Handbook (1st and 2nd editions). Since 2023, she has taught trial advocacy at Osgoode Hall Law School.
Davin Portz
Associate
Davin Portz is an associate at Metcalfe Law Barristers practising in criminal defence as well as regulatory and administrative law. His practice focuses on trial work, and he approaches each case with rigour and strategic thinking.
Before joining Metcalfe Law Barristers, Davin articled at Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP, where he worked with senior counsel on complex trials, appeals, and bail hearings. He has experience with a range of matters, including sexual assault, domestic assault, luring, fraud, international criminal law, and human rights cases. His background in civil litigation supports a comprehensive approach to defending cases.
Davin graduated from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University with a Juris Doctor and a specialization certificate in criminal justice. During law school he volunteered with the Halifax Refugee Clinic and Lawyers Without Borders, and served as co-president of the Dalhousie Prison Justice Society. He earned a Bachelor's degree with distinction in Philosophy, Law and Society from the University of Calgary. Davin is a member of the Criminal Lawyers' Association.