NATHAN GORHAM, KC, SJD, LLM, LLB
Partner
(416) 587-7364 | gorham@gvlaw.ca
Nathan Gorham KC is a criminal defence lawyer with offices in Toronto, Ontario and Saint John, New Brunswick. He regularly appears at all levels of court in Ontario as well as Atlantic Canada.
Mr. Gorham is a King’s Counsel, a government appointment that recognizes extensive courtroom experience and exceptional contribution to the legal profession.
Much of Mr. Gorham’s practice is devoted to defending people charged in complex murder prosecutions, and he has successfully defended many high-profile homicide cases. Mr. Gorham also regularly defends professionals (i.e. doctors, lawyers, professional athletes, business owners, teachers) who are charged with a variety of serious offences, ranging from sexual assault to fraud and more. Mr. Gorham also defends professionals facing regulatory prosecutions.
Mr. Gorham is also one of the very few practicing criminal lawyers who hold a Doctorate of Juridical Science—the highest possible legal degree, the equivalent of a PhD in law—which he obtained from the University of Toronto.
Mr. Gorham also teaches, as an adjunct professor, at the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law. Currently, he teaches the law of homicide in Canada (murder and manslaughter); in the past, he has taught criminal law, wrongful convictions, and legal ethics.
Mr. Gorham grew up in New Brunswick, before attending St. Francis Xavier University. During undergraduate studies, he was named Academic All-Canadian—a national intercollegiate award for achieving academic excellence while playing varsity football with the X-Men. He was later inducted in the St. Francis Xavier Hall of Fame as a member of the 1996 X-Men football team. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with a major in political science.
Following his undergraduate studies, Mr. Gorham began studying law at Queen’s University, in Kingston, Ontario. In 2001, he was again named Academic All-Canadian, this time while playing varsity football for the Queen’s Golden Gaels. He graduated in 2003 with the law school’s award for the highest overall performance in criminal law courses.
IN THE NEWS
Murder Appeal Allowed (2023)
On December 6, 2023, the Ontario Court of Appeal ordered a new trial. Toronto murder lawyers, Nathan Gorham and Breana Vandebeek, argued on appeal that the trial judge erred during his instructions to the jury.
Not Responsible, Murder (2020)
Toronto criminal lawyers, Nathan Gorham and Breana Vandebeek, defended 4 counts of first-degree murder. On November 22, 2020, the Fredericton, New Brunswick jury found the defendant not criminally responsible.
Murder, Reduced and Stayed (2024)
The defendant was charged with first degree murder following a botched robbery in a school parking lot. Toronto murder lawyer, Nathan Gorham, negotiated the reduction of the charge to manslaughter and then a stay of the charges completely.
Manslaughter Stayed (2021)
On April 1, 2021, Fredericton, New Brunswick prosecutors stayed the manslaughter charge. Toronto criminal lawyer, Nathan Gorham, had challenged prosecution doctors in cross-examination, demonstrating that the death could have been an accident.
Released, After Murder Appeal (2023)
On March 22, 2023, the defendant was released from custody following a successful murder appeal. Toronto appeal lawyer, Breana Vandebeek, had argued that the trial judge misdirected the jury on the partial murder defence of provocation.
Acquitted, Murder (2021)
The defendant was charged with murder following a shooting outside of a nightclub. Toronto criminal lawyer, Nathan Gorham, challenged the Crown's main witness in cross-examination. On September 2, 2021, the trial judge entered an acquittal.
Murder appeal allowed (2019)
The defendant was charged and convicted of murder following a disputed drug transaction. Toronto criminal lawyers, Nathan Gorham and Breana Vandebeek, acted for him on appeal. The appeal was allowed and the defendant
Not Guilty, Murder (2021)
In August 2021, a Toronto court acquitted the defendant of murder but found him found him guilty of manslaughter. Toronto criminal lawyers Nathan Gorham and Breana Vandebeek successfully argued the prosecution failed to prove the intent for murder.
Manslaughter Stayed (2021)
On April 1, 2021, Fredericton, New Brunswick prosecutors stayed the manslaughter charge. Toronto criminal lawyer, Nathan Gorham, had challenged prosecution doctors in cross-examination, demonstrating that the death could have been an accident.
Not Guilty, Murder (2023)
Toronto murder lawyers, Nathan Gorham and Breana Vandebeek, challenged the Crown witnesses at trial. On May 2, 2023, the Crown agreed that the murder charge should be dismissed in exchange for a plea to manslaughter.
Not Guilty, Murder (2023)
On March 16, 2023, on Oshawa jury returned a verdict of not guilty of first degree murder but guilty of manslaughter. Toronto murder lawyers, Nathan Gorham and Breana Vandebeek, later secured a sentence of time served (appx 4 years).
Released, After Murder Appeal (2023)
On March 22, 2023, the defendant was released from custody following a successful murder appeal. Toronto appeal lawyer, Breana Vandebeek, had argued that the trial judge misdirected the jury on the partial murder defence of provocation.
