Atty. Sonya Shikhman
Ms. Shikhman was born and raised in the Soviet Union.
Profile Summary
About Sonya Shikhman at a glance
Sonya Shikhman is a criminal defense attorney based in Toronto, Ontario, practicing at Bytensky Shikhman Barristers. Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defence (2026). Serands clients in Toronto, ON and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Ms. Shikhman was born and raised in the Soviet Union
- Having witnessed injustices and abuses of power, she decided to become a criminal defence lawyer and to dedicate her career to ensuring that the power of the state functions within is proper limits and is not abused by those who possess power over the freedom of others
- At the age of 17, Ms. Shikhman started working for a senior criminal defence lawyer pursuing her passion
- At the age of 23 Ms. Shikhman graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School where she concentrated her studies on criminal law
- Upon graduation Ms. Shikhman joined the firm of Adler Bytensky Prutschi as an articling student and later stayed on as an associate
- She became a partner with the firm in 2010
- Ms. Shikhman has appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal for Ontario
- While Ms. Shikhman represents people charged with all criminal offences, sexual assault cases, drug cases and gun cases take up most of her time
- She has developed a reputation as a passionate advocate with tremendous cross-examination skills
- Ms. Shikhman is also involved in Academia as an instructor in Trial Advocacy at Osgoode Hall Law School
- Additionally, over the past 10 years, she has travelled to Ukraine, Russia, England, Italy and Indonesia, to judge the Jessup, a world-renowned International Law competition, and to help students around the world improve their advocacy skills
Practice Areas Explained
Sonya Shikhman's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Sonya Shikhman handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
Sonya Shikhman is one of 214,271 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Ontario →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Ontario
Practicing law in Ontario. Legal matters in Ontario are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Toronto are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Ontario state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Ontario brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Ontario courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Ontario attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Toronto or all attorneys in Ontario.
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