Frances Mahon

Principal

Frances Mahon (she, her, hers) is a fierce litigator. The core of her practice is defending people against serious allegations in a variety of settings, including complex criminal trials and appeals, police investigations, at the Immigration and Refugee Board, in professional discipline cases, and at extradition hearings. Frances provides legal services to individuals, families, non-profits, companies, and other organizations. She has appeared in courts and tribunals across the country, including frequent appearances at the Supreme Court of Canada.

Frances received her Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2013. While at  Osgoode, she worked on Bedford v. Canada, a landmark Supreme Court of Canada case involving the safety and security of sex workers. Before starting her own firm, Frances practiced in the criminal and constitutional law groups of top litigation boutiques in Toronto and Vancouver.

Frances is frequently recognized as a leader among her peers. In 2016, she was honoured to receive the Emerging Leader Award from Out On Bay Street (now Start Proud), in recognition of her leadership on issues involving fundamental human rights and constitutional principles. In 2018, she was nominated one of the Top 25 Lawyers in Canada, in the “Changemaker” category. Frances is often invited to speak on criminal law, Charter, and human rights issues, and she has provided expert witness testimony to both the Senate and the House of Commons.

Frances is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia. She is the Past Chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s National SOGIC Section, and a member of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association (Ontario), the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia, the Association of Legal Aid Lawyers, and the Criminal Defence Advocacy Society. In 2020, she was a member of the Law Society of British Columbia’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

Frances is a proud member of the LGBTQ2S+ community and has been at the forefront of many important legal and policy initiatives to improve the lives of LGBTQ2S+ people in Canada and abroad.

When not lawyering, Frances can be found exploring beautiful forests and waterways, knitting colourful socks, baking bread, and enjoying delicious meals with friends and family.

​​Services

CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAW

Frances Mahon is an experienced criminal defence lawyer, representing individuals and corporations facing criminal charges and allegations for a wide variety of offences, including murder, kidnapping, assault, fraud and white collar crimes, drug trafficking, firearms offences and many others. Frances also represents individuals facing dangerous and long term offender applications. She is available to assist in Vancouver and throughout British Columbia with all stages of the criminal process, including pre-charge advocacy, bail hearings, trials, sentencing and appeals.

Frances will guide you through the entire process, and ensure that you clearly understand your rights and obligations. She focuses on achieving your best possible outcome, by taking a holistic approach to the resolution of your case and minimizing impacts on the other areas of your life. Frances will fight fiercely for your rights while showing you the compassion and sensitivity you deserve.

CONSTITUTIONAL AND PUBLIC INTEREST LAW

Frances has fought for civil liberties since the earliest days of her legal career. She has represented individuals and non-profits across the country in constitutional and public interest cases engaging Charter rights, particularly criminal law, immigration, human rights issues, and the law of protest.

Notable cases include:

Mason v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), SCC File No. 39855 (decision pending) (with the Criminal Lawyers’ Association)

*Please note that Frances is no longer taking general immigration and refugee cases, except in select circumstances.

 
Frances Mahon - Vancouver Criminal Defence Lawyer