Born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Brian has dedicated his career to criminal law. He is currently President of the Saskatoon Defence Lawyers Association. Just after his 40th birthday, he was inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers (2024). He was the 2022 recipient of the Justice Frank W. Gerein Award, which honours members of the profession who have made outstanding contributions to the legal community through involvement in voluntary and cause-related legal work; has demonstrated professional excellence in legal practice through examples of quality legal services, client relations, innovative programs; has promoted, encouraged or influenced students, graduates or practitioners.; and, has demonstrated civility in their dealings with other counsel and the Bench.

He has also been named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers, and has been recognized by Best Lawyers in the area of criminal law since 2019. He regularly appears in jury and non-jury trials, preliminary inquiries, bail hearings, sentencing hearings and appeals. Pursuant to the National Mobility Agreement, he is able to defend clients in any Canadian judicial centre.

Brian’s cases range from DUI/Impaired Driving, domestic violence, assault, shoplifting, and theft, to murder, manslaughter, sexual assault, sex offences, child pornography, kidnapping, extortion, armed robbery, arson, gun/weapon offences, aggravated assault, fraud, and drug offences. 

The diverse range of criminal law cases he handles enables him to aggressively and competently handle any criminal charge.

He has appeared before a number of administrative tribunals, Professional Discipline Hearing Committees (representing engineers, financial advisors, physicians, accountants, realtors, and other lawyers), the National Parole Board, the Supreme Court of Canada, all levels of Saskatchewan Court and in the Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island Provincial and Superior Courts.

Education & Work History

Brian is a member of the Saskatchewan Bar and joined Cuelenaere & Company as an articling-student after a distinguished academic career at the University of Saskatchewan where he received the highest academic standing in a number of courses. In 2011 Brian opened his own firm “Pfefferle Law Office” which operates out of the Historic Land Titles Building, a building that was restored in 1996 by Dan Shapiro Q.C. and Mark Brayford Q.C. Dan and Mark practice in the restored building under the firm name “Brayford and Shapiro”. While at the University of Saskatchewan, Brian was awarded the Barron-Garcea Prize, the Tania Balicki Memorial Award, the P.E. Mackenzie Prize, the Orest and Marie Bendas Prize, the Canada Law Book Prize and the Carswell Prize for obtaining the highest academic average in the final year of study at the College of Law. As an articling student, Brian was also awarded the Saskatchewan CPLED Prize for his performance and conduct during the Saskatchewan Bar Admission Course. In 2010 Brian graduated with a B.A., from the University of Saskatchewan having been recognized as the most distinguished graduate in the Department of Native Studies. Although he is a non-Aboriginal, Brian feels that his professional education on the history of Indian, Metis and First Nations people allows him to better serve clients of Aboriginal or Metis ancestry. LL.B. (with Distinction, Saskatchewan, 2007). B.A. (with Great Distinction, Saskatchewan, 2010).

Professional & Community Involvement

Brian has acted as a presenter with the Law Society of Saskatchewan Continuing Professional Development Webinars, Saskatchewan Legal Education Society of Saskatchewan Inc., (SKLESI), Public Legal Education Society of Saskatchewan (PLEA), and he is a member of the Law Society of Saskatchewan, the Canadian Bar Association, the Saskatchewan Trial Lawyers Association, Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan, and the Saskatoon Criminal Defence Lawyers Association. Brian is also actively involved in his community and is a member of Holy Family Roman Catholic Parish, the German Canadian Club Concordia, the German Alpenrose Shuplatters Dance Group, and is an Alumni Member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies where he competed nationally in track and field and cross-country. Brian enjoys all recreational sports and especially enjoys noon-hour weight-lifting and running. He and his wife Amy, a lawyer, reside in Saskatoon with their children.

Winner of the Tania Balicki Memorial Award in Native Studies as Most Distinguished Graduate (2010).
Winner of the Saskatchewan CPLED Bar Admission Course Award (2008).
Winner of the Orest and Marie Bendas Prize in Jurisprudence (2007).
Winner of the Canada Law Book Prize (2007).
Winner of the Carswell Prize for obtaining the highest academic average in the final year of study at the College of Law (2007).
Winner of Adams/Garcia Prize for Outstanding Essay in the Departments of Native Studies and Political Science (2004).
University of Saskatchewan Arts and Science Scholarship Recipient (2004).
CIS First Team All-Academic All-Canadian (2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04).
University of Saskatchewan, College of Arts and Science, Dean’s List. (2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04).
Valedictorian, St. Joseph High School, Graduating Class (2001).
RadioShack – Shoplifter Apprehension Award (2001).

Member of the Canada West Champion Huskie Track and Field Team (2002-2003).
Member of the 4x800m Huskie Relay Team (1st at Canada West Championships).
Recipient of a SaskSport Athletic Scholarship 2002-03, 2003-04.
High School Cross-Country City Champion (1999, 2000, 2001).
High School Track and Field Champion in 12 events over 4 years (1998-2001).
Multiple High School Provincial Medalist in Cross-Country and Track and Field (1998-2001).

Saskatoon Minor Softball – Assistant Coach (2019)
STLA Conference Planning Committee (2018-2019)
Pro-Bono Counsel for Defending Members of the Law Society of Saskatchewan in
Discipline Proceedings (2014-Present)
Father Robinson Elementary School Parent Helper (2015-Present)
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan (2007-Present)
Justice System LEAN Project Implementation Initiative Panel Member (2015)
Volunteer Speaker with Saskatchewan Legal Education Society Inc. (SKLESI)
Member of the University of Saskatchewan College of Law Admissions Committee (2006-08)
Member of the University of Saskatchewan, Native Studies Curriculum Review Committee (2003).

Academic Contributions, Publications & Presentations

Brian has aided in the publication of several academic articles which have been featured in casebooks and course materials and taught as part of university courses in law, sociology, criminology and human justice. He has guest-lectured at the University of Saskatchewan College of Law and the University of Saskatchewan College of Commerce (now Edwards School of Business). Brian serves as an instructor and lecturer at the Saskatchewan CPLED Bar Admission Course in the area of criminal law. Since 2013 he has served as a Sessional Lecturer at the University of Saskatchewan College of Law teaching “Advanced Criminal Law & Practicum” to upper year Juris Doctor students at U of S. He is the author of the following articles and presentations: