416.868.1755

Jill D. Makepeace

About

With a focus on defending criminal matters, Jill Makepeace’s practice is divided between conducting trials and appeals. Jill has represented individuals charged with a broad spectrum of criminal offences, including alleged crimes of violence, all types of sexual offences and serious drug cases. A significant concentration of her trial practice is defending regulated professionals alleged to have engaged in criminal and regulatory impropriety in the course of their vocation.

Jill regularly appears before all levels of court in Ontario. She also appears before administrative tribunals, including the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

Jill received her LL.B. from the University of Windsor in 2003 and her LL.M. from the University of Alberta in 2008. In 2003-2004, Jill secured a unique clerkship opportunity in Yellowknife devoted to the lengthy civil trial arising out of the murder of nine miners during a volatile labour dispute in 1992. After completing her articles with the firm, Jill was called to the Ontario bar in June of 2006.

In addition to her commitment to practice, Jill was a devoted sessional lecturer at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. 

For a decade, she taught criminal law courses, including an advanced seminar on criminal motions geared to students pursuing criminal law careers. In 2010, Jill was awarded the Students’ Law Society Special Lecturer Award for exemplary teaching and exceptional dedication to Windsor Law.

Jill is returning to the classroom in January of 2024 to teach The Law of Homicide with the Honourable David Watt, K.C., at Osgoode Hall Law School.

Jill is a co-author of Modern Criminal Evidence (Emond, 2022) and will conclude a seven-year term as co-editor of the publication of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association, For the Defence in the spring of 2023. She is a member of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association, Ontario Bar Association, and the Advocates’ Society.