Kelly Dawson | Edmonton Criminal Defense Lawyer

• President of the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association of Alberta from , and member of its Board of Directors for over 20 years
  2015-2017
• Member of the Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers
• Member of the International Criminal Bar
• Instructor for the Legal Education Society of Alberta, Law Society of Alberta,University of Alberta Law School, as well as the Edmonton Police Service cadet training program, on a range of criminal law topics including advocacy techniques, evidence, sentencing and practice management.
• Criminal law supervisor for the University of Alberta Law School’s
• Student Legal Services
• for over 25 years.

Negotiated stay of all criminal charges in Canada (internet child pornography) and transfer of case to another country for disposal where there are no "minimum" jail sentences - client obtained house arrest in that jurisdiction.

I surrounded myself with the finest criminal lawyers I knew and we worked as a real team in building a criminal practice that not only defended clients but lectured to other lawyers and law students, did a large amount of pro bono and volunteer work in the community and dedicated itself to ongoing and continuing training in our area of practice. As a result 3 of my partners have been named judges of our criminal court over the past 10 years which is a huge accomplishment for a firm our size.

Blunt honesty, good communication with client, willingness to realistically assess chances and to steer them to the lawyer in their firm that is best experienced to help them for a price they can afford.

Crucial. Knowing how a judge or prosecutor thinks, building rapport with police investigator are all keys to maximizing the client's chances for the best outcome possible. Knowing who to avoid is equally important. Lastly, having a well known and respected reputation with the judge hearing the case is an important edge in many cases.

For simple cases a rough estimate as to costs, description of court process that the client is going to experience, basic information about criminal law pertaining to their offence and priorities for them to consider early in the process.

Client's charges, next court date and location and purpose of appearance, ability to meet in person.

As one of the 3 largest and well-established and respected criminal firms in Alberta we draw some of the best new talent to our firm, and have the capacity to take on any criminal case anywhere in Canada at any level, including the appeal court and the Supreme Court of Canada. On the latter point many firms do not conduct appeals at all due to a lack of manpower. Courts understand that our firm has the ability and habit of appealing questionable cases, and this is an important option for any client.

Helping often very disadvantaged clients deal with perhaps the most stressful thing that has ever happened to them in their life, and when achieving their liberty, vindication or a reduced sentence knowing that I made a difference in the outcome.

World travel, reading, live theatre and family.

I am involved in my church, volunteer in support of several theatre groups in our city.