Richard J. Wolson, QC

“I care very deeply about the rights of the accused and I am committed to ensuring that all of my clients receive the best possible defence. Throughout my career I have advocated on behalf of those who have been wrongfully accused, holding the police and the courts to the highest possible standards. I defend my clients with vigour and see their rights as paramount.”

Richard Wolson, a Founding Partner of Gindin Wolson Simmonds Roitenberg, has been practising law since 1973.

Aside from representing clients at all court levels, he has participated in high-profile provincial and national inquiries, the results of which have had a profound impact on the Canadian justice system. He is a skilled, bold, and relentless cross-examiner who represents his clients with focus and determination. He has also authored and co-authored numerous papers relating to key issues of criminal law.

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Manitoba, 1972
Bachelor of Arts (BA), University of Winnipeg, 1969

Work History

1995–present | Founding Partner, Gindin Wolson Simmonds Roitenberg
1977–1995 | Partner, Walsh Micay and Company
1974–1977 | Associate, Walsh Micay and Company
1973 | Associate, Margolis, Gould and Associates

Memberships

American College of Trial Lawyers (Fellow)
International Society of Barristers (Fellow)
Manitoba Trial Lawyers Association
Manitoba Bar Association (Former, Criminal Law Subsection)

Selected Professional Highlights

Named Best Criminal Lawyer of the Year for 2021 by BestLawyers.com
Regional Chair, Supreme Court Advocacy Institute (2018)
Award of Merit recipient, Criminal Defence Lawyers Association of Manitoba, 2015
Presenter on a wide variety of legal topics to the Criminal Lawyers’ Association (Ontario); the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia; the Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association; and the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association of Manitoba
Appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1995
Lead Commission Counsel, Inquiry into Certain Allegations Respecting Business and Financial Dealings Between Karlheinz Schreiber and the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney
Lead Commission Counsel, Inquiry into the Wrongful Conviction of Thomas Sophonow
Counsel to Parties, Driskell Inquiry; Monnin Inquiry
Federation of Law Societies National Criminal Law Program, Faculty Member, Author and National Lecturer on a broad range of criminal law topics, including impaired driving, sexual assault and homicide (1985–2005)
The Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted, Presenter and Author, “Innocents Behind Bars”, Toronto, Ontario (2002)
American Judicature Society, Presenter, “National Conference on Preventing the Conviction of Innocent Persons,” Arlington, Virginia (2003)
“Unlocking Innocence: An International Conference on Avoiding Wrongful Conviction,” Presenter and Member of the Organizing Committee, Winnipeg (2005)
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Presenter and Author, International Conference, Toronto, Ontario (2010)
Has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada, as well courts in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Yukon, and Northwest Territories

Outside of Law

Outside of his professional practice, Richard enjoys sharing his knowledge about Canadian law and practice with students in high school, undergraduate university and law school. He is also an avid golfer and traveller.

“(Wolson) demonstrated to the whole country what observers in the legal profession in Manitoba already knew—that he is one of the finest, most talented lawyers in Canada.”
–The Honourable Jeffrey J. Oliphant, Commissioner, Commission of Inquiry into Certain Allegations Respecting Business and Financial Dealings Between Karlheinz Schreiber and the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, 2010

“Mr Wolson’s artful dissection of the RCMP members’ evidence was a sight to behold. Pointed, direct, aggressive, relentless questioning saw these unprepared officers crack under the pressure. I sat there in stunned silence and found myself feeling sympathy for the RCMP members…”

–James G. Jewell, The Police Insider (Blog), February 25, 2014

“I have been covering trials—and lengthy hearings such as coroner’s inquests and royal commissions—for more than 25 years. In all that time, I have seen hundreds of witnesses cross-examined and probably, dozens of accused men and women. I have never seen such a one as Brian Mulroney yesterday, being questioned by Richard Wolson, a lawyer from Winnipeg whose pauses alone are terrifying.”
–Christie Blatchford, The Globe and Mail, May 15, 2009

Contact: Richard J. Wolson, QC

204-985-8184 rwolson@gwsr.ca

Our Lawyers

Jeffrey J. Gindin, QC

Jeff is one of the founding partners of this firm and and has been a trial lawyer since 1971. He will fight tirelessly for his clients with passion, skill, and creativity in order to achieve the best possible results.

Richard J. Wolson, QC

Richard Wolson is a skilled, bold, and relentless cross-examiner who represents his clients with focus and determination.

Saul B. Simmonds, QC

Practising criminal law since 1980, Saul is an experienced litigator with deep knowledge of Canadian law.

Evan J. Roitenberg, LLB

Evan is deeply committed to protecting the rights of the accused and is routinely called upon to lecture and present on the art of cross-examination.

Laura Robinson, BA, LLB

Laura has experience dealing with all manner of offences, which has included violent crimes, property offences, drug offences, driving offences, and weapons offences.