Dawne Patricia Way

Dawne Way was called to the bar in 1997 and joined the Crown Attorney’s office in 2000. Dawne launched Way Law in 2007 and developed her practice primarily representing victims of crime in criminal proceedings and assisting organizations in criminal matters. The majority of Way Law clients are survivors of sexual assault, many of whom are children. She finds working with her clients intensely gratifying and fulfilling developing a special bond that transcends typical client/lawyer relationships. She is the author of “Representing the Victim in a Sexual Assault Proceeding” in Prosecuting and Defending Sexual Assault Offence Cases: A Practitioner’s Handbook 2nd Edition by Daniel Brown and Jill Witkin.

Dawne has extensive experience in representing victims of crime in sexual assault prosecutions including the following hearings:

Dawne has experience representing victims of crime in sexual assault prosecutions in Canadian military prosecutions. She has provided training to the Canadian Military Prosecution Service on the role of complainant’s counsel in sexual assault courts martial.

Dawne supports the Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology Law Clerk and Paralegal program as a field placement supervisor.

Way Law specializes in representing victims and witnesses of crime in criminal and quasi-criminal proceedings. Dawne’s primary focus is advocating for and representing sexual assault survivors with trial preparation and privacy protection. She also represents and advises organizations such as hospitals, counselling services, women’s shelters and corporations in criminal law matters and their obligations when subpoenaed. As a leader in the legal profession, Way Law will train other lawyers and organizations on victim’s rights.

June 2024 Ministry of the Attorney General Crown School Topic: Human Trafficking Course s. 276: Applicability, myths and relevance in the context of HT/Procuring prosecutions