THUNDER BAY – REGIONAL NEWS – A prominent criminal defence law firm serving Northwestern Ontario is raising alarms over what it calls a targeted campaign of intimidation and overreach by police and Crown prosecutors.
Judson Howie LLP, the largest defence firm in the Rainy River District, says members of its legal team are being investigated by Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) at the apparent behest of the Fort Frances Crown Attorney’s Office—an effort the firm calls a direct threat to the constitutional right to a fair trial and legal representation.
“In our justice system, zealous advocacy on behalf of clients isn’t optional—it’s foundational,” the firm stated. “We are now facing an unprecedented intrusion into our legal practice, simply for doing our job.”
The allegations include OPP officers travelling to Northwestern Ontario to confront and pressure vulnerable witnesses into altering or discrediting previous sworn statements given to the defence, even after criminal cases were dropped or stayed. The firm says this conduct sends a dangerous message—that defence lawyers risk police scrutiny or criminal sanctions for doing routine legal work like interviewing witnesses or preparing evidence.
Judson Howie LLP also claims its Thunder Bay office has been subject to unexplained surveillance and that police officers attempted to extract privileged information from junior staff outside of work settings under threat of career damage.
“These are not isolated incidents. What we are seeing is an escalating pattern of harassment and intimidation aimed at deterring our efforts to defend our clients effectively,” said the firm.
The law firm says its concerns have been repeatedly raised with Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General and that it has retained independent counsel to address the issue with Crown officials in Toronto. So far, they say, those efforts have been met with deflection and inaction.
The broader implications of this situation are not lost on the legal community. At stake, according to the firm, is the integrity of the justice system in Northwestern Ontario and the ability of clients—particularly vulnerable individuals and marginalized groups—to receive fair representation.
“In a time when we’ve seen police ignore real threats—such as violence against 2SLGBTQIA+ clients, data theft from small businesses, and domestic abuse—we are appalled that resources are being used to investigate defence lawyers instead,” the firm said. “This is a misuse of public trust and undermines public safety.”
Judson Howie LLP is now exploring all legal avenues to challenge what it characterizes as an unconstitutional interference in the legal process. “We will not be deterred. We are committed to fearless advocacy and to protecting the rights of every individual we represent,” the firm concluded.
