Our team

James Bray.

Criminal defence and extradition lawyer. Trial and appeal counsel in Ontario.

(416) 297-7200 x112 [email protected]

Get advice today

Chat now

James is a criminal defence and extradition lawyer based in downtown Toronto.

Approach

James understands that criminal allegations, and prosecutions of all types, can be stressful and overwhelming and can seriously impact all aspects of a person’s life. James works to minimize these impacts wherever possible. He is a tenacious and strategic advocate, and works hard to ensure the best outcome, whether through pre-trial negotiation or through litigation.

Court sketch of James Bray addressing the court

How he works

A tenacious and strategic advocate, working hard for the best outcome.

Practice

He has a broad criminal practice which encompasses trials and appeals. He has appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court of Justice, Court of Appeal for Ontario, Nova Scotia Supreme Court, and the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal. James is experienced in providing representation in a wide variety of cases, including defending prosecutions of all types under the Criminal Code, the Extradition Act, various provincial regulatory statutes, and in professional disciplinary matters. He is presently involved in a variety of complex trial and appeal matters, and has significant experience defending complex fraud cases and sexual assault allegations, and in representing individuals sought for extradition. He has worked on some of the largest and most high-profile extradition matters in Canadian history.

In the media

James is often sought out by the media to provide legal commentary and insight on Canadian criminal cases making headlines across the country — see the firm’s media coverage.

James Bray providing legal commentary in a media appearance

September 10, 2026 · CP24 A convicted killer is here while he challenges the verdict in Mexico. Will Canada extradite him? — on bail, timing and the minister's decision in the Friesen case.
September 9, 2026 · CTV News — W5 Will a convicted killer be sent back to Mexico? — on how extradition from Canada works, in the case of Ryan Friesen.
Law Times “Tribunal revokes licence of doctor George Otto convicted of trafficking in fentanyl”
CTV News “Inside look at alleged U.S. border smuggling operation”

Background

Prior to joining Daniel Brown Law, James worked as a lawyer at another boutique criminal defence firm in Toronto. He received his JD from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University and studied at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, obtaining an MPhil in Anthropology. James also holds a BA in Sociology from St. Francis Xavier University. James grew up in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

James has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada for criminal defence.

He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and the Criminal Lawyers’ Association.

Credentials

Courts: Ontario Court of Justice; Superior Court of Justice; Court of Appeal for Ontario; Nova Scotia Supreme Court; Nova Scotia Court of Appeal
Education: JD, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University; MPhil in Anthropology, University of Oxford (Rhodes Scholar); BA in Sociology, St. Francis Xavier University
Memberships: Law Society of Ontario; Criminal Lawyers’ Association
Recognition: Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada, criminal defence

In the media

Law Times
CTV News

James 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

James 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.