When Alek Minassian appears in court Thursday for a second time since his alleged van rampage on Yonge St. last month, he will be represented by two highly-respected and experienced Toronto defence lawyers, the Star has learned.

Courtroom veteran Boris Bytensky confirmed in an email that he has been hired and has asked fellow Toronto defence lawyer Breese Davies to join him representing the 25-year-old.

On Thursday, the Crown is expected to charge Minassian with three more attempted murder charges, bringing his total to 10 first-degree murder charges and 16 attempted murder charges. He is appearing at the 1000 Finch West courthouse via video.

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Bytensky said he was unable to make “any comment whatsoever about this matter.” Davies, the principal at her namesake firm, also declined to comment.

Bytensky is partners with lawyers Edward Prutschi and Sonya Shikhman, who describe their boutique firm as offering “specialized, talented and experienced” legal services which is “your best defence against everything the state will throw at you.” Neither would comment on the case.

According to his online bio, Bytensky’s practice has primarily focused on people charged with criminal offences. He is also an adjunct professor in trial advocacy at Osgoode Hall Law School and currently serves as the Criminal Lawyers’ Association’s representative on various bench and bar committees in the GTA.

In addition to her courtroom work, Davies is known for her extensive contributions to Canadian legal education and the advancement of women in the legal profession. Defence lawyer Sean Robichaud, who recently featured Davies as a guest on his podcast series, said she doesn’t shy away from “exceptionally challenging” cases, such as acting as counsel at the Ashley Smith inquest. Smith, 19, choked to death in a prison in Kitchener, Ont., in 2007.

Robichaud said it’s the “horrific cases” such as someone accused of mass murder that put the integrity and fairness of the justice system “through the ultimate stress test.”

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“In cases like this one due process is most important, and that includes unwavering and competent defence counsel to protect an accused’s rights to a fair trial.”

Criminal Lawyers’ Association president Michael Lacy said while Bytensky and Davies may not be household names, they are widely recognized in the legal community for their “impeccable reputations” and for being professional, prepared and skilled lawyers.

That is especially important in a difficult, high-profile case such as this, he added.

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“When you have responsible, capable counsel doing it, what you can be sure of is that whatever the ultimate disposition of the case or the charges against the person you know that justice has truly been served,” Lacy said Wednesday. Davies is a vice-president of the association, Bytensky a treasurer, both elected by their peers.

Veteran defence lawyer Frank Addario, a former president of the association, wrote in email that it’s essential to have good criminal lawyers involved in high-profile cases such as this one.

“This type of litigation requires an unflappable lawyer, who is not afraid to be to be criticized ... he or she has to be oblivious to public sentiment and just do the work.”