Markson MacDonald - The Barristers Group

Joseph Markson

Joseph Markson obtained his Master of Laws degree from Cambridge University in 1991 after articling at the Toronto law firm of Davies, Ward and Beck (Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg). He received his law degree from Queen’s University in 1989 and his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto in 1985.

Following his call to the Ontario Bar in 1992, Joseph Markson was awarded the Harold G. Fox Education Fund Scholarship and returned to England for one year to train as a barrister in three leading commercial and common law sets of Barristers’ Chambers of the Middle Temple, The Inns of Court, London. He served as marshal to Judges of the High Court at the Old Bailey and in Cardiff.

Joseph Markson’s criminal and regulatory law practice is unique in that he both prosecutes and defends. In 1995 he was appointed Standing Agent of the Attorney General of Canada. He has extensive jury trial experience prosecuting narcotics offences and is primarily assigned by the Department of Justice to prosecute major complex cases involving organized crime and regulatory compliance offences.

From 1995 to 1997 he was co-counsel in the successful prosecution of the two largest alcohol smuggling conspiracies in Canadian history. From 1998 to 2001 he successfully conducted the prosecution of R. v. DiPalma, the highest reported case of tax-preparer fraud in Canada. He has prosecuted cases under the Income Tax Act, the Customs and Excise Act, the Railway Safety Act, the Radio-communication Act, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, the Canada Environmental Protection Act, the Fisheries Act and the Copyright Act. He has successfully prosecuted corporations such as Air Canada, Bombardier, and CN Rail.

In his defence practice, Joseph Markson represents individuals and corporations that are under investigation or have been charged with Criminal Code or federal and provincial regulatory compliance offences. He has represented major Canadian corporations and his individual defence clients are generally professionals and persons with no criminal record. The hallmarks of his successful defence and prosecution practice are exacting preparation and persuasive and credible pre-trial and trial advocacy.

Joseph is counsel to the Toronto Police Association, the Durham Regional Police Association, and has acted for the Toronto Police Services Senior Officers Organization. He defends officers who are under investigation by Professional Standards, charged with criminal and Police Services Act offences, or under investigation by the Special Investigations Unit.

Before attending law school, Joseph received a work scholarship from the University of Toronto M.B.A. program, and served as an analyst in the Marketing and Economics Group of Woods Gordon Management Consultants (Ernst & Young). In law school he represented Canada and won the International Client Counseling Championship competing against the United States and England. He has worked as a Special Constable with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as a student in the Crown Law Office - Criminal, and as duty counsel.

Joseph actively supports several community charities. He recently served as Vice-President of the Board of Directors of Streetlight Support Services, an organization that helps sex trade workers get off the street. He is Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors of Robert Land Academy, Canada’s only not-for-profit military boarding school for troubled boys in grades six to twelve. He is President of St. Teresa’s Parish Council and a director of The National Club in Toronto.

Joseph lives in Toronto with his wife, Alicia Kay-Markson, City Hall Reporter for CFTO News.