Patrick F D McCann

Patrick McCann is counsel to Fasken Martineau and a member of the litigation practice group. He has practised at the forefront of criminal law for over 40 years.In 1989 he was among the first in Ontario to be certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a specialist in criminal law. He has represented clients in all trial and appellate courts in Ontario, and has been lead counsel in numerous major criminal trials including over 60 homicide cases. Other cases involve drug trafficking, fraud, regulatory offence and prosecutions under the Income Tax Act and the Competition Act. He has practised before military tribunals, including the defence of a Canadian Airborne soldier charged with murder while deployed in Somalia – the case received national media coverage and contributed to changes to the military justice system. In recent years, Patrick represented clients in three high-profile cases of first degree murder which resulted in acquittals.Patrick has represented individuals involved with public inquiries, including the Commission of Inquiry into the Deployment of Canadian Forces to Somalia, the Commission of Inquiry into the Sponsorship Program and Advertising (Gomery Commission), and the Cornwall Public Inquiry. He has appeared in the Federal Court of Canada representing Government officials in national security litigation. He has acted for public officials involved in police investigations and businessmen facing investigation and charges under the Competition Act.Patrick is a founding member and past president of the Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa. He has lectured extensively at the Ontario Bar Admission Course and has been a guest lecturer at University of Ottawa, Carleton University and the Canadian Police College. Patrick has spoken at numerous conferences and seminars conducted by such organisations as the National Judicial Institute, the Law Society of Upper Canada, and the Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa.