Edward Greenspan | |
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 Greenspan in 2014 | |
| Born | Edward Leonard Greenspan (1944-02-28)February 28, 1944 Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada[1] |
| Died | December 24, 2014(2014-12-24) (aged 70) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University College, Toronto Osgoode Hall Law School |
| Occupation(s) | Lawyer, legal author |
| Website | greenspanpartners |
Edward Leonard Greenspan,[1]QC (February 28, 1944 – December 24, 2014)[2] was one of Canada's most famous defencelawyers, and a prolific author of legal volumes.[3] His fame was owed to numerous high-profile clients and to his national exposure on theCanadian Broadcasting Corporation radio series (and later a CBC television series)Scales of Justice (1982–94).[2]
A graduate ofUniversity College, Toronto (1965) andOsgoode Hall Law School (1968), Greenspan was called to the Ontario Bar in 1970 and was the senior partner of the Toronto law firm of Greenspan Partners LLP.[2] He was a vice president of theCanadian Civil Liberties Association. He was a member of the Quadrangle Society and a Senior Fellow ofMassey College at theUniversity of Toronto. Greenspan became aQueen's Counsel in 1982.[4] In 1991 in Boston Massachusetts, he was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Greenspan's work as a criminal defence lawyer was widely recognized in the form of honorary degrees and medals. In 1999 theLaw Society of Upper Canada awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Laws.[5] He was awarded the G. Arthur Martin Medal in 2001.[6] He received a Doctorate of Civil Laws from theUniversity of Windsor in 2002,Assumption University in 2004 andBrock University in 2012. He was awarded the Advocates' Society Medal in 2009[7] and the highest honour to be bestowed on an Ontario Lawyer, the Law Society Medal.
In December 1983, Greenspan found himself marginally involved in the murder of the gangsterDomenic Racco.[8] The gangster Giuseppe Avigone saw Greenspan to ask him to cash the $8, 000 cheque that Racco had with him when he was killed, a request that Greenspan refused.[8]
A Canadian ofJewish heritage, Greenspan was a vocal supporter ofIsrael and related issues. On October 10, 2002, he and fellow Toronto lawyer David C. Nathanson published an opinion piece in theNational Post arguing that theCanada Customs and Revenue Agency should recognize theMagen David Adom as a charitable organization.
Greenspan was an outspoken opponent of thedeath penalty. In 1986, when theHouse of Commons of Canada was debating a proposal to reinstatecapital punishment in Canada, Greenspan suspended his practice for three months in order to tour the country and debate the issue in any forum available.[9][10] The proposal was ultimately defeated.[11] In 2001 he argued and won a case at the Supreme Court of Canada which barred extradition of people from Canada to face possible capital punishment in other countries.[12]
Greenspan was partners with some of the most accomplished lawyers in Canada. Greenspan's former partners include:Michael Moldaver (Supreme Court of Canada Judge),Marc Rosenberg (Judge of theOntario Court of Appeal),Marie Henein[13] and Todd B. White. As of 1986, he was reported to have billed $1.1 million for one murder case; when asked to disclose his fee, he suggested the reporter "get charged with a criminal offence, come to my office and I'll be happy to talk to you".[14] Greenspan was an outspoken critic of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's criminal justice legislation,[15] including in a 2012 opinion piece in magazineThe Walrus[16] and a 2013 opinion piece in newspaperThe Globe and Mail.[17]
He was the subject of a documentary film,A Criminal Mind, directed by Barry Avrich.
Greenspan died of heart failure at the age of 70 while vacationing inPhoenix, Arizona in December 2014.[10] Greenspan's funeral was held at Beth Torah Synagogue in Toronto[18] with burial atMount Pleasant Cemetery.
Toronto MayorJohn Tory said of Greenspan, "Life as a defence lawyer isn't always easy. Edward Greenspan was a larger than life figure in legal circles, our city and country. He was a brilliant lawyer who understood how important it is that everyone have a defence, and he was a tireless champion for human rights. On top of that he was a great citizen and a wonderful human being. On my own behalf, and on behalf of the people of Toronto, I offer my sincere condolences to his family. He will truly be missed."[19]
The Ontario MPPJagmeet Singh reflected on Greenspan's career in fighting for "societies marginalized" as being an inspiration.[20]
His brother,Brian Greenspan, is also a Canadian lawyer.[21]
Among Greenspan's famous clients were:
Greenspan published or edited over 25 books, including:
Ms. Henein spent most of her career working behind the scenes at Greenspan Henein and White, where she was groomed by Edward Greenspan, arguably the most famous defence lawyer in the country...
Mr. Thornhill's lawyer, Edward Greenspan of Toronto, said in an interview last night that the case was "a monumental waster of taxpayers' money."
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