Salma Jaffer earned her Bachelor of Arts, Honours, Combined Specialist Degree in English and Philosophy at the University of Toronto in 1999.  She then attended Osgoode Hall Law School, earning her Bachelor of Laws Degree in 2002.  As a student at Law School, Salma devoted herself to various projects such as the student-run law clinic, CLASP, where she was a division leader in Criminal law during her second year of law school, and the Criminal Intensive Program, in her third year, through which she worked alongside judges at the Old City Hall Courthouse over the course of a semester.   As a student, Salma also volunteered with the Duty Counsel lawyers at the Scarborough Courthouse, learning how to conduct interviews, and prepare successful bail hearings. 

 

After law school, Salma  completed her articles at Hicks Block Adams (as it then was), following which she was called to the bar in 2003 and continued to work at that firm as an associate.  She joined the partnership of Hicks Adams, in 2012, until deciding to start her own practice, Salma Jaffer Law, in January, 2014. 

 

Salma’s experience as an associate, and then as partner at a very busy, and large law firm have given her many years of experience representing clients charged with a wide range of criminal charges, both in the Provincial Courts of Ontario, as well as before juries in the Superior Court of Justice.  Her clients have ranged from young people facing their first minor charge such as shoplifting or drug possession, all the way to much more serious crimes such as sexual assault, robbery and murder. 

 

Salma’s commitment to criminal defence work, extends beyond her vast client base.  She is also a member of various organizations such as the Criminal Lawyers’ Association, the Durham Lawyers’ Association, as well as being a lawyer with the Ontario Nurses’ Union.  Salma has also been invited to speak as a guest lecturer to college students, studying courses in law.