Mr. Murray Ellies

Murray Nicholas Ellies practiced law for 47 years in Northern Ontario, establishing himself as the region’s premier criminal defense lawyer with particular expertise in homicide cases. Born in Kirkland Lake in 1936 to Lebanese immigrant parents, Ellies worked underground in gold mines before studying at University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall Law School. He began practice in 1962 with Frank Parry in Kirkland Lake, eventually establishing his own firm with innovative support systems including highly trained clerks and mobile dictation practices for court travel.

Ellies handled approximately 30 homicide cases throughout his career, along with significant civil litigation, labour relations work for school boards, and high-grading cases unique to mining communities. His practice extended across Northern Ontario from Kirkland Lake to remote First Nations communities, including challenging cases in Attawapiskat and Moosonee. He pioneered the use of law clerks in Northern Ontario and developed efficient systems for managing a high-volume practice across vast distances.

The interview provides insights into the unique challenges of practicing law in Northern Ontario’s resource-based economy, the evolution of criminal procedure following the Charter, and the practical realities of serving remote communities. Ellies retired in 2010 after establishing himself as one of Northern Ontario’s most prominent trial lawyers, having been invited to join the American College of Trial Lawyers and receiving Queen’s Counsel designation.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.