Rory Ziv has practised criminal defence law since his admission to the Alberta Bar in 2005. He founded Ziv Law Group in Edmonton in 2011. His practice includes homicide, sexual assault, impaired driving, major fraud, drug offences and criminal appeals. He is a member of the Law Society of Alberta, the Law Society of British Columbia and the Law Society of the Northwest Territories.
Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Rory grew up in a society divided by racial and social inequality. Observing the conflict between individuals and their government shaped his commitment to fairness, truth and justice. Those principles remain central to his work as defence counsel.
Rory earned a BA with honours in psychology from the University of British Columbia and his law degree from the University of Alberta. During law school, he decided to make Edmonton his home. In 2024, he completed his Master of Laws while continuing to practise full time.
Rory’s work involves carefully examining evidence, challenging unreliable conclusions and protecting the rights of people accused of crimes. He is particularly concerned with preventing wrongful convictions and ensuring that the prosecution is held to its obligation to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
He works extensively on jury instructions and the legal questions placed before juries. This requires close attention to how the issues are framed and explained, so that jurors have a clear and legally sound basis for reaching their verdict.
His trial and appellate practice also includes Charter challenges concerning police conduct and the admissibility of evidence. Rory has hundreds of reported decisions arising from his criminal defence practice.
Alongside his practice, Rory has trained and mentored articling students and contributed legal services to people in need.
In 2021, Three Best Rated recognized Rory as one of the Top 3 DUI Lawyers in Edmonton, Alberta.
Rory’s legal writing includes contributions to LawNow and the Alberta Impaired Driving Weekly Newsletter, published on CanLII.
Clients describe Rory’s commitment in deeply personal terms. Their reviews speak of feeling cared for, respected and supported during frightening periods of their lives. One reviewer described him as “an absolute force in the courtroom” who “truly cares about the wellbeing of his clients.”
Another client described feeling treated like family throughout years of stressful proceedings, highlighting Rory’s detailed preparation and the availability, care and respect shown by Rory and Sharline. Following an acquittal, that client wrote: “Put simply, Ziv gave me my life back.”
A third reviewer emphasized that the firm did not make them feel ashamed for needing help. They described an empathetic, “humanity first” approach that provided peace of mind when they felt unable to navigate the legal process alone.
These accounts reflect the personal significance of criminal defence work: helping people through proceedings that can affect their liberty, families, livelihoods and futures.
Rory enjoys swimming and cycling and regularly participates in open-water swimming events. In 2024, he finished first in his age category at the Across the Lake Swim in Peachland, British Columbia.
In August 2026, he completed a swim around the Isle of Jersey, spending more than eleven hours in the water. His “Swimming for a Better Tomorrow” campaign raised more than $12,000 for enCompass Community Safety Agency, supporting its work in rehabilitation, reintegration and community safety.
Outside his practice, Rory enjoys spending time with his three dogs: Justice, Big Boss and Broadie.
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