Our team

Hilary Dudding.

Partner and criminal defence lawyer. Trials at every level of court in Ontario.

Hilary Dudding is a partner at Daniel Brown Law and a criminal defence lawyer recognized for her deep legal knowledge, formidable courtroom presence, and compassionate, client-focused advocacy. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, where she was awarded the Mewett Award for outstanding achievement in criminal law, and later obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Criminal Law and Procedure from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2021. Since joining Daniel Brown Law, she has focused her practice on the complex law of sexual assault. She is trusted with the most sensitive and challenging legal matters faced by clients with high-stakes exposure to reputational damage.

Practice

Dedicated exclusively to defending individuals facing criminal charges since 2007, Hilary honed her trial advocacy skills starting as a student at the trailblazing criminal defence firm Pinkofskys. Since then, she has defended hundreds of clients facing the most serious offences in the Criminal Code, from murder to drug offences. As a seasoned trial lawyer, she regularly appears at every level of trial court across Ontario, bringing a particular acumen to jury trials. She is known for being tough as nails in the courtroom while maintaining a frank, clear, and empathetic communication style with her clients.

Respected by the bench and bar, Hilary is frequently called upon by major media outlets for legal commentary, including recent appearances on CBC Radio and other news platforms. Whether navigating intricate legal arguments, developing innovative strategy or persuading a jury, she combines rigorous academic training with nearly two decades of real-world trial experience to pursue the best possible outcomes for her clients.

How she works

Tough in the courtroom, frank and clear with her clients.

Recognition

She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada for Criminal Defence.

Hilary has been named by Post City Magazine as one of Toronto's Top Criminal Lawyers.

Teaching and Professional Involvement

Hilary teaches Trial Advocacy to law students at Osgoode Hall Law School and is a panel member on Legal Aid Ontario’s Exceptions Committee. She is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and the Criminal Lawyers’ Association.

In the News

CBC Metro Morning (August 27, 2026) — Hilary Dudding on Ontario’s cash-for-bail legislation, and why she opposes requiring accused people to pay cash for their release. Listen on CBC Listen.

The Globe and Mail (July 14, 2026) — Hilary Dudding quoted on gun-violence sentencing following the fatal shooting at Toronto’s Salsa on St. Clair festival. Read on The Globe and Mail.

AM 1150 — The Early Edition (July 13, 2026) — Hilary Dudding interviewed on what Peter Nygård’s latest conviction means. Listen on AM 1150.

CBC Metro Morning (June 16, 2026) — Hilary Dudding on the legal complications of a 12-year-old charged with attempted murder in an alleged stolen-car case. Listen on CBC Listen.

CBC Front Burner (March 20, 2026) — Hilary Dudding featured on “The bail backlash,” on bail reform, the pressure it puts on accused people to plead guilty, and overcrowded jail conditions. Read the transcript on CBC. See more of the firm’s media coverage.

Credentials

Courts: Every level of trial court in Ontario
Education: J.D., University of Toronto, Faculty of Law (Mewett Award, criminal law); LL.M. in Criminal Law and Procedure, Osgoode Hall Law School, 2021
Recognition: Best Lawyers in Canada, Criminal Defence; Post City Magazine, Toronto's Top Criminal Lawyers
Appointments: Panel member, Legal Aid Ontario’s Exceptions Committee
Memberships: Law Society of Ontario; Criminal Lawyers’ Association

Teaching and media

Trial Advocacy, Osgoode Hall Law School
CBC Metro Morning
CBC Front Burner
The Globe and Mail
AM 1150, The Early Edition

Hilary defends every kind of criminal charge

Here are some of the charges we defend most often. We also defend charges not listed here.

See all practice areas

The strength of the whole firm, on every case

Hilary is one of 16 criminal defence lawyers at Daniel Brown Law. Every client has the firm’s collective trial and appeal experience behind them, in courthouses across Ontario.