Thomas F. Balka

Tom Balka is a criminal trial lawyer. He is a graduate of the University of Manitoba. He received his law degree from Queen’s University in 1986. He has almost 40 years of experience, practicing exclusively in the area of criminal defence and criminal appeals.

Mr. Balka has wide ranging experience in all facets of criminal law, including complex criminal litigation. Mr. Balka has argued cases of sexual assault, impaired driving, drug offences, and numerous other appellate matters before the Ontario Court of Appeal.

A large part of Mr. Balka’s practice is appearing in jury trials. Mr. Balka has successfully argued jury cases in many communities in Ontario including Oshawa, Whitby, Port Hope, Cobourg, Picton, Kingston, Belleville, Peterborough, London, and Toronto.

Mr. Balka has, in his career, defended dozens of homicide cases, including charges of first-degree murder, second degree murder, and manslaughter. Mr. Balka’s successful defences have led to acquittals, verdicts of not criminally responsible, withdrawn charges, and reduced charges.

Mr. Balka has been qualified to practice law in the Territory of Nunavut and has argued before the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit.

Mr. Balka has for many years lectured in educational programs for lawyers on various criminal law topics. He regularly speaks to community groups and conferences on important aspects of the Criminal Justice System. He has taught University law courses. Mr. Balka has been a director of the Durham Region Law Association. He has been a member of the Criminal Lawyers Association since 1989. He was, for many years, a director of the Criminal Lawyers Association. He has been on numerous committees advancing the interests of a strong justice community.

Mr. Balka lives in Oshawa with his wife of 37 years, Kelly Spear, who is also a lawyer. He practices in Oshawa at O’Brien, Balka, Khehra & Guile alongside two of his sons, Nathaniel Spear-Balka and Cameron Spear-Balka, who are also experienced criminal defence lawyers.

To schedule a consultation with Mr. Balka, please email Ashley at akrawchuk@oshawalaw.com