Meet Our Team
Adam R. Newman
B.A., L.L.B.
Founder, Principal Counsel
Mr. Newman is the founder of Newman Barristers and acts as head counsel. He graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the bar in 1998. Adam was then an associate at Robbins, Bernstein & Associates for five years before becoming partner. In 2005, Mr. Newman was a founding partner of Bernstein, Newman & Associates. Following Justice Bernstein's appointment to the bench in 2022, Mr. Newman formed Newman Barristers.
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Mr. Newman’s practice is restricted to criminal trial work and he has successfully defended clients on a wide array of criminal charges, ranging from minor offences to the most serious offences in the Criminal Code. He is a seasoned defence lawyer with a great deal of courtroom experience, having defended all types of charges including thefts, assaults, narcotics offences, drinking and driving offences, and high profile murder cases. He has also had a great deal of success litigating Charter issues, including illegal search and seizure cases.
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Adam’s main goal is client satisfaction and achieving a good result for his clients. To this end, Adam is available to his clients at all times, and ensures that he regularly updates his clients about the status of their files. He always ensures that the individuals he represents understand the criminal trial process and their defence.
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Adam is also dedicated to legal education and mentoring junior counsel. He keeps up to date with changes in the law and regularly lectures at Continuing Legal Education Programs.
Allison Cormie-Bowins
B.A. (Hons.), J.D.
Associate Counsel
Allison Cormie-Bowins graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School, then articled for a busy, prominent criminal defence firm in Toronto before being called to the bar in 2015. Allison then spent time running her own practice, then working at a firm specializing in drinking-and-driving cases, then living and teaching English in South Korea. She joined the firm on her return to Canada in 2019 (at the time Bernstein, Newman & Associates).
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Allison has successfully defended clients charged with murder, drug and firearm offences, aggravated assault, sexual assault, drinking and driving, and many others. Allison is particularly adept at arguing technical, complicated and occasionally novel legal and constitutional issues requiring in-depth research, preparation, and creativity. She has successfully had charges stayed, withdrawn, and evidence thrown out of court. She prides herself on being a problem-solver, an advocate, and, most importantly when it comes to the law, being right.
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Allison strives to build and maintain the confidence of her clients. She understands that the criminal justice system can feel endlessly confusing, isolating, and stressful. Allison always ensures her clients are kept up-to-date, that they understand the process, and that she guides them to the best possible outcome in their case.
Omar Said
B.A. (Hons.), J.D.
Associate Counsel
Omar Said graduated from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law in 2020. While in law school, Omar was a Senior Associate Editor with the University of Toronto Law Review. He represented clients charged with summary offences at Downtown Legal Services in Toronto and worked with the Law Reform & Justice Coordination Office in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Omar was called to the bar in 2021 and worked for a prominent criminal defence firm in Toronto before joining Newman Barristers in 2023.
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Omar has defended clients charged with a diverse range of matters, including murder, drug and firearm offences, sexual assault, impaired driving, aggravated assault, and many others. He is a fearless advocate, adept at working with his clients to craft an effective and strategic defence. He has successfully litigated Charter issues and, with a strong academic background, is particularly adept at written advocacy.
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Omar is committed to client satisfaction. His approach to clients is one of understanding, compassion and collaboration. He ensures his clients are kept up-to-date, and that they know that their cases are being handled expertly and with care.
Nishi Ramchandani
B.A., L.L.B.
Articling Student
Nishi Ramchandani was welcomed to Newman Barristers as an articling student in 2024. She completed her law degree at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in India in 2020, and was called to the bar in India 2021. While Studying Law, Nishi routinely attended Baroda Bar Association’s events and interned at various law firms specializing in criminal law. Following her call to the bar in India, Nishi became an associate at Jagdish Ramani Law Chambers, a firm specializing in criminal law. In 2022, Ms. Ramchandani did her paralegal placement with the Law office of Jay Chauhan. She volunteered as a Student-At-Law with Richard Sherman, Barrister & Solicitor, focusing on criminal defence work. She also did agency work for a number of lawyers.
Nishi spent most of her life wishing to be a criminal lawyer. She first became interested in practicing criminal law after several years of related volunteer experience in high school, and she went to law school with the sole intention of practicing criminal law. She has a lifetime of oral advocacy experience, having participated in mock trial and moot court activities.
Nishi’s passion for defending her clients’ rights drives her to work tirelessly on their cases. Her main goal is client satisfaction and to treat the clients and their families with respect.
