At the most recent Summer Law Institute, OJEN’s annual flagship professional development event for educators, OJEN-er Jean-Paul Bevilacqua sat down for an in-depth conversation with criminal defence lawyer Megan Savard.
In this wide-ranging interview that took place on August 26th, 2025, Megan reflects on her path into criminal law, the early challenges she faced, and the skills and strategies she developed to establish herself in a demanding profession. She also discusses the essential role of defence counsel in protecting Charter rights and maintaining public confidence in the justice system.
The conversation then turns to the recent Hockey Canada trial, in which Megan represented one of the five defendants. She offers insight into the unique legal, evidentiary, and societal issues raised by the case and reflects on the broader public conversation surrounding sexual assault trials in Canada. All five accused were ultimately acquitted.
This episode will interest listeners from multiple perspectives, offering a candid look at criminal law, advocacy, professional resilience, and the real-world impact of legal processes on Canadian society.
Accompanying classroom resources for every episode of Law Syrup's first season can be found on www.ojen.ca.
We’re open to questions, comments, and ideas! Send them to us at lawsyrup@ojen.ca.
Thank you to The Law Foundation of Ontario for its support.
