Clayton Ruby

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Clayton Charles Ruby, CM , QC is a Canadian lawyer, specializing in constitutional and criminal law and civil rights. He is one of the most famous lawyers in Canada at present, having served as a defence lawyer in a number of high-profile cases.

Ruby received a Bachelor of Arts degree from York University in 1963. He earned an Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Toronto in 1969, and was called to the bar in 1969. In 1973 he earned an Master of Laws from the University of California, Berkeley.

Since 1973, he has been a partner with the law firm of Ruby & Edwardh (with senior partner Marlys Edwardh) in Toronto, Ontario.

In 2006, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada.

In late 2005, Clayton Ruby became the acting Treasurer, or elected head, of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the body responsible for regulating the Province of Ontario. On February 23, 2006, however, Ruby was defeated in a special election and ceased to be Treasurer.

Clayton Ruby has won support across the political spectrum. Right wing tabloid journalist Judi McLeod wrote in Our Toronto (now The Canada Free Press), "In the courtroom Clayton Ruby is recognized as one of this country's most brilliant criminal lawyers. Other lawyers have told me that internationally he is recognized as a leading theorist and a man of strong principle. Not many know that outside the courtroom, Clayton Ruby is lead crusader in a cause that is no less than vital to keeping Canada a democracy, by enshrining Freedom of the Press. Thank you, Clayton Ruby, for your noble efforts in guarding Freedom of the Press."^{[citation needed]}