LIFE'S NOT BLACK AND WHITE

At Conron Law Professional Corporation, we understand that real life is not black and white. We are passionate about liberty and protecting our clients’ peace of mind when dealing with the criminal justice system. Feel confident with an advocate who is knowledgeable, capable, tenacious and has over a decade in practice. If you’ve been charged with a criminal offence and need the advice of a lawyer, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

About Us

We deal with all criminal charges, including allegations of domestic and non-domestic assault, aggravated assault, sexual assault, sexual interference, drug and alcohol impaired driving, dangerous operation, operation while disqualified or prohibited, mischief, theft and property crimes, drug possession, drug trafficking, firearm possession and trafficking, and breaches of court orders.

Our Team

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Carolynn V. Conron, LL.M.

Barrister & Solicitor

Connect with Carolynn on LinkedIn

Named as one of London Inc.’s Top 20 Under 40, Carolynn Conron is an intelligent and effective advocate who takes the time to really listen and understand her clients’ issues. Commander and leader of Conron Law Professional Corporation since 2013, she sees the big picture and is passionate about ensuring no-one is unfairly stigmatized by a criminal conviction.

Carolynn obtained her Honours Bachelor of Arts at McMaster University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2006, with a double major in philosophy and communication studies and a minor in psychology. After moving to Canada’s West Coast and earning her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of British Columbia Law School in 2009, she was called as a member of the Law Society of British Columbia in 2010 and a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2011.

Carolynn returned to her hometown of London, Ontario and continued her studies at Western University, earning her Master of Laws (LL.M.) and successfully defending her thesis “Canada’s Marijuana Medical Access Regulations: Up In Smoke” (2012) while also working as review counsel at Community Legal Services. Carolynn has been published in the Albany Law Review and presents at numerous Continuing Professional Development seminars. She partnered with the Rights and Responsibilities Awareness Initiative to provide information about individual rights when dealing with the police, and the criminal court process.

Carolynn is best known for her community involvement, having held positions of London Director for the Ontario Criminal Lawyers’ Association, Vice President of the London Criminal Lawyers’ Association and Chair of the Entertainment Committee on the Board of Trustees for the Middlesex Law Association. She has supported Diabetes Canada as an active board member for The Meal. Carolynn is also on the Board of Directors for the London Downtown Business Association. She was victorious in her charity boxing match in the Fight to End Homelessness, is on the board for London Lawyers Feed the Hungry and is a regular performer at Courthouse Rocks, with her band. She has appeared as a speaker in the All Women Lead series, the R.A.W. podcast, she has recently joined a group affiliated with CMHA called The Helpers, and was also the recipient of the 2025 Middlesex Law Association Philanthropy award.

Katie Gosen

Associate

Katie Gosen has devoted her life to impassioned advocacy, and she is honoured to have the privilege to continue this work in her clients’ matters. Katie is a confident, capable, and commanding advocate who leaves clients assured that no detail or concern is left unconsidered in her meticulous approach to representation. Katie understands that every person, regardless of their circumstances, is vulnerable to finding themselves facing criminal charges. However, she can guarantee that her clients never do so alone and can rest in the knowledge that nothing will touch her clients without first going through her.

Katie obtained her Bachelor of Arts at Western University in 2020, wherein she set an unprecedented record upon receiving two Western Gold Medals for her double honours majors in Sexuality and Gender Studies in addition to appearing on the Dean’s List. Although originally from Kitchener, Ontario, Katie remained in London to complete her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Western Law in 2024; she was called to the Law Society of Ontario in 2025. In her free time, Katie enjoys pole dancing, reading non-fiction, watching classic cinema, and spending time with her chosen family and community.

Katie’s broad range of experiences in grassroots organization and policy advocacy has informed a practice of law that honours the complexity of each individual and their unique lived experiences. Katie’s lifelong reputation for confronting injustice head-on has resulted in this guarantee: the only time you’ll see her back is when you’re safely behind her.

Ashley Bates, B.A.

Licensed Paralegal

Ashley was born and raised in London, Ontario and has always had a strong drive and passion for criminal law. This passion led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminology at King’s University College at Western. Building on that foundation, Ashley enrolled at Anderson College to complete a Paralegal Diploma, with the goal of helping individuals gain meaningful access to justice.

As a Licensed Paralegal, Ashley supports the firm’s criminal law practice while further developing her experience in the legal field. In her personal time, Ashley enjoys spending time with family and friends, horseback riding, and day trips to explore new places.

What To Expect

What to Expect from the Court Process

Your first court date is simply the start of the process. The prosecution often provides initial disclosure, and a Justice of the Peace will inquire about administrative matters such as whether you have retained counsel and what language you wish your proceedings to be in. Many matters can be addressed in virtual court via the Zoom platform.

Much of the work occurs between preliminary court dates, which serve as a check-in to ensure the case is progressing. The matter will be adjourned for various purposes including reviewing and reviewing disclosure, review same with you, obtain your input, and meet with the prosecution to negotiate your case. From there, we will seek your instructions.

We may be able to proceed to an agreeable resolution. If not, the prosecution has the burden of proving the matter beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. To set a trial we will need to undertake further steps, such as a crown pre-trial (CPT), judicial pre-trial (JPT), and a trial management hearing (TMH) before the matter can be set. These hearings involve the participation of a judge to ensure proper input and time estimates have been discussed.

An adjournment is a formal request for a period of time to accomplish a task before coming back to update the court on the progress of a matter. Several adjournments can occur before your matter is set for a substantive hearing. Counsel can appear as your agent in court on matters where the prosecution elects to proceed by summary conviction. Counsel can appear as your agent in court pursuant to a signed designation of counsel where the prosecution elects to proceed by indictment. You do not need to be present for routine adjournments if your retainer commitments are current and, if applicable, you have a signed a designation.

We will correspond with you to let you know when you must attend court for a trial, plea, or alternate resolution. It is your responsibility to attend court on time and to dress appropriately when required.

Matters before the court, even very simple ones, can take more time to progress than you might expect. It can take several weeks or months to receive full disclosure, meet with the prosecution, and complete the necessary procedural steps before setting a date for a trial or plea. Trial dates are usually booked months after the procedural steps have been completed.

You have the right to be tried within a reasonable time pursuant to s. 11(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Supreme Court of Canada set out presumptive limits of 18 months of delay for matters proceeding by summary conviction in the Ontario Court of Justice, and 30 months for indictable matters proceeding in the Superior Court of Justice. If the total delay in your case, less any defence delay, exceeds these time frames, you can apply for a stay of proceedings. Where the defence is asking to delay the case, the prosecution may ask for an explicit waiver of s. 11(b) Charter rights.

Fees

Private retainer fees are determined based on the nature and scope of work performed. For individuals who are facing or expecting to face charges, we offer a free 30-minute consultation where we can more accurately estimate fees. Our office is currently accepting Legal Aid certificates for those who qualify. Visit the Legal Aid website to learn more.

Please contact us to discuss your case and get an estimate for the anticipated fees.

Bail

Section 11(e) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms provides that any person charged with an offence has the right not to be denied reasonable bail without just cause.

There are various forms of process that compel individuals to attend court. If you are on release, please ensure you are compliant with any conditions of release to avoid further charges. Conditions of release may be varied, either with the consent of the crown or though the bail review process.

Unless varied, the conditions of release are in effect until the conclusion of your legal matter(s).

This is general information only. Please contact us if you are in custody and need a bail hearing or out of custody and need assistance with a bail variation.

Trial

Every person charged with an offence is presumed innocent. That presumption does not shift unless the crown can prove the offence beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial is a fact-finding process where the Crown prosecutor presents evidence, which is tested under cross-examination. Since the burden of proof always rests with the crown, the defence may choose to call evidence, or simply make submissions on the evidence that is presented at trial. The trier of fact (a judge, or jury) will weigh the admissible evidence according to the rules of law and make a determination on whether the crown has proven the charge(s) beyond a reasonable doubt.

If the trier of fact finds that the Crown has not proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt, the charges are dismissed.

If the trier of fact finds that the evidence does meet the high standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, the matter proceeds to sentencing.

This is general information only. Please contact us to discuss the details of your case.

Guilty Plea

A guilty plea must be voluntary and fully informed. A person entering a guilty plea must understand that the plea is an admission of the essential elements of the offence, the nature and consequences of the plea, the facts that support the charge and that the court is not bound by any agreement made between the accused and the prosecutor.

Sometimes the crown will agree to withdraw certain charges upon guilty pleas to others.

If the facts are in dispute, counsel can draft an agreed statement of facts (ASF) or have a Gardiner hearing where the crown must prove any aggravating facts they wish to rely upon at sentencing.

This information is for general informational purposes only. Please contact us to discuss the details of your case.

Sentencing

Sentencing is an individualized process, the goals of which are set out in s. 718 and following of the Criminal Code. The ultimate sentence a person receives will depend on the gravity of the offence, the degree of responsibility of the offender and any aggravating or mitigating factors in the case.

Supporting documents, including a pre-sentence report (PSR), character reference letters or confirmation of up-front work, can be filed with the court to help a judge determine the appropriate sentence.

Possible sentences include an absolute discharge, conditional discharge, suspended sentence, fine, conditional sentence or custodial disposition. A custodial disposition up to 90 days is eligible to be served intermittently.

This information is for general informational purposes only. Please contact us to discuss the details of your case.

Other Options

The Crown Policy Manual instructs that the crown must withdraw charges if it is not in the public interest to proceed or if there is no reasonable prospect of conviction.

In some cases, the crown will agree to withdraw charges if the accused enters a peace bond, or completes a diversion program.

Specialized courts deal with individuals who meet the criteria, including the Adult Therapeutic Court for individuals with mental health issues, Gladue Court for Indigenous Peoples and the Justice Centre for young people involved in the criminal justice system.

You can request the destruction of fingerprints and photographs that were taken during the course of the investigation. For charges stemming from the London Police Service, the form available online provides details on various waiting periods and instructions on how to submit a request for destruction.

Please contact us to determine whether one of these options may be appropriate in your case.

Free Consultation

Let us put your mind at ease. No stress. No pressure.

Book Your Consultation Today

Effective Advocacy

We know how to narrow the issues and bring your best defence into focus.

Our Services

Results

We persevere until the job is done.

Client Testimonials

Services

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Initial Consultation

Facing a criminal charge? We will provide a free consultations to assist you in determining how she can help. No cost, no obligation, just support.

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Legal Advice

After a careful review of the full disclosure, we will provide you with a legal opinion applying the facts of your case to the law to help you make fully informed and strategic decisions moving forward.

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Negotiations

Criminal charges don’t always end with a guilty plea or a trial. Everyone makes mistakes and we recognize that there are always two sides to every story. Let us explore all the options available to you with the prosecution.

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Intelligent Representation

We are strategic in how we proceed with your case. We will take the time to thoroughly prepare you and your case for trial, plea, or alternative resolution. Feel confident that the judge will hear your side of the matter.

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Complainant Representation

If you are the complainant in a criminal case and require representation for a s. 276 or 278 application, please contact the office to set up a meeting.

Awards

TOP 20 UNDER 40: Congratulations to Carolynn Conron for being recognized as one of London’s Top 20 Business Owners under 40!

Testimonials

Media

CTV Article: Successful Verdict in a Murder Trial

LFP Article: Successful Murder Trial

LFP Article: Successful Murder Trial London

London Inc. Winter 2021: Top 20 under 40

LFP Longform: A shocking sex-trafficking arrest. A sex-trade grey area

London lawyer says it’s ‘high time’ marijuana was legalized

Contact Us

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ADDRESS

Talbot Centre, Mezzanine Level Suite 202 – 140 Fullarton Street London, Ontario N6A 5P2

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CALL / EMAIL

Phone: 519-673-1881 Fax: 519-673-0996 Call or send an EMAIL to schedule an appointment.

INTAKE FORM

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HOURS

Monday to Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Please contact us to schedule an appointment if you’d like to meet with us in-person.

DIRECTIONS

We are located downtown in the Talbot Centre, steps away from the London Courthouse:

If you are driving: Parking is available on any of the surrounding lots or metered spots on Fullarton Street or behind the building in the Talbot Centre parkade off Dufferin Avenue. If you are walking or taking transit: Several major LTC bus routes stop at Queens Avenue and Richmond Street or other intersections near the Talbot Centre, which has several entrances. Enter the building, make your way to the elevators closest to the 140 Fullarton Street, and hit “Mezz” for the Mezzanine Level.