We are a gritty, grass roots boutique law firm that practices exclusively in criminal defence work.
We defend people who are charged with anything from theft to first degree murder. We specialize in serious and complex criminal cases.
We take on the challenging cases that other firms will not handle.
The tough, complex cases inspire us as a firm. We work together to make sure that we pursue every avenue toward your defence. We’re not afraid to go after the long shots. Nor are we afraid to take an unpopular position to defend your case if the circumstances demand it.
The tough cases make us better lawyers.
There is nothing more precious than freedom.
Mary Cremer — Owner and Partner
Mary Cremer was educated at the University of Guelph where she earned her BA (Hons) in history and political science and her MA in political science. She then received her Bachelor of Laws at the University of Western Ontario (LLB). She was called to the bar in 2002 and, after articling and practicing at two prominent criminal defence firms in Toronto, she founded her first firm in 2005 and ultimately founded Cremer Barristers Professional Corporation in 2008. She is a member of the Toronto Lawyers’ Association and the Criminal Lawyers’ Association and has devoted her entire career to criminal defence work. Mary has been a speaker at numerous conferences on advocacy, trial skills, and substantive areas of criminal law.
Mary is a passionate advocate and has conducted numerous jury trials and judge-alone trials in Ontario. She has a reputation for being thorough, tough, intelligent and trustworthy in her approach to defending her clients. The focus of her work is on homicides and serious complex criminal investigations. Cremer Barristers is built on her philosophy that everyone deserves the best and most rigorous defence. Mary proudly defends the most difficult cases and she and her team work tirelessly and relentlessly to provide a high quality of defence. To work in a system where the individual can challenge the power and the resources of the state in the arena of the courtroom, and hold the state to the ultimate test, is what inspires her. This requires creativity and insight and having the guts to take the long shot when defending a case.
Mary’s commitment to community service can also be found in her charitable projects including homelessness, Lawyers Feed the Hungry program, and the environment. In her personal life she pursues adventure travelling, trekking, running, beekeeping, dog walking, and spending time with friends and family, which provides her with boundless inspiration and energy.
Meet the Team
Dayna Ackland – Associate Lawyer
Dayna is driven by her passion for client advocacy both inside and outside the court setting. Fusing her innate empathy with her experience in domestic violence and drinking and driving cases, she exemplifies Cremer Barristers’ focus on forging a strong client-lawyer relationship. Not only is she an established member of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association, but she pursues opportunities to engage and educate her peers through the Windsor Law Peer Mentorship program and through her research on jailhouse informant testimony, the findings of which she presented at the 15th annual Windsor Review of Legal and Social Issues Conference. To unwind in her down time, Dayna enjoys hot yoga, travelling, and spending time with her nearest and dearest.
Tyler Schnare – Associate Lawyer
Tyler received the Ian Scott Public Interest Award from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2021 and has since then had a successful career providing compassionate and effective advocacy for a diverse clientele, with a special interest in youth criminal justice. Merging their background in Criminology and Psychology, Tyler’s progressive approach towards criminal defence has proven to be an incredibly valuable resource for fighting discrimination within the delivery of justice in Ontario.
Cole Perry – Associate Lawyer
Whether in the Ontario Court of Justice or the Superior Court, Cole works hard at getting charges dropped before they even make it to trial. Cole enjoys strategizing trials and has successfully defended a wide range of clients, including those charged with homicide, armed robbery, and drug trafficking cases. Not only does Cole embrace speed and swiftness in the courtroom, but he is also an avid cyclist that has competed in both road and gravel cycling races.
Carla Dias – Legal Assistant
Carla has 20+ years of experience working within legal fields such as criminal law, real estate, wills, and estates. Charismatic, thoughtful, thorough, and professional, Carla brings a professional, positive, and approachable attitude to Cremer Barristers. Fluent in both English and Portuguese, Carla is an active member of the Portuguese-Canadian community in Toronto. She enjoys travelling alongside her husband and three kids, cooking, reading, concerts, and walking her family dog, Bear.