Mayleah Lynn Quenneville

Mayleah Quenneville, SENIOR Associate I was inspired to become a criminal defence lawyer in order to prevent wrongful convictions. I am a fearless advocate for my clients in both trials and appeals. I represent individuals charged with both criminal and quasi-criminal offences. I prioritize building and maintaining positive relationships with my clients. I know that people who turn to criminal lawyers for assistance are often facing the most stressful experience of their lives and are trusting their lawyers to advocate on their behalf in a system that can be complex, confusing, and difficult to navigate. I work hard to live up to my clients’ trust and to understand their perspectives and priorities to provide the best advice and representation for their particular circumstances. I regularly conduct trials in front of both the Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court and have succeeded in obtaining acquittals after trial for clients charged with homicide, drug trafficking, assaults, impaired operation, sexual assault and sexual interference, among others. I have advanced many pre-trial applications alleging breaches of my clients’ rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms , and have led a constitutional challenge to the Criminal Code and regulatory regime surrounding acceptable blood-THC levels while driving. In addition, I regularly negotiate excellent resolutions for my clients, often resulting in the withdrawal of my clients’ charges before a trial is even set. I joined BE Defended Professional Corporation as a Senior Associate in September of 2025. Prior to joining the firm, I spent over nine years practicing criminal law in Toronto. I have represented clients in both trial and appellate courts in Ontario, in front of various administrative tribunals and regulatory bodies, and have argued in front of the Supreme Court of Canada.