Dr. Chapman was admitted to the Bar in 2003 after having completed her Juris Doctor at the University of Western Ontario, and her undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo.

After completing her articles at Cohen Highley LLP, in London Ontario, Frances gained a broad range of experience in family law, criminal law, personal injury and tort law, administrative law, contract law, and civil and commercial litigation.  She was re-hired by the firm as an associate lawyer in the department of the senior litigation partner.  Frances practiced for almost two years working with real property disputes, mortgage actions, wrongful dismissal, and class actions.

Frances returned to school in September 2005 to pursue her passion for criminal law.  She focused specifically on criminal law defences including automatism, duress, necessity, and completed her Master of Laws degree at the University of Western Ontario while teaching part-time at Fanshawe College.  She then moved to Toronto, Ontario to complete her Ph.D. in law at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University.  

Frances finished her Ph.D. in 2009 while teaching full time at St. Jerome’s University at the University of Waterloo.  Her areas of interest are in criminal law and focus on defences including brainwashing, automatism, duress, necessity, and mental disorder.  She focuses particularly on wrongful convictions, violence against women and domestic violence.  Current research includes pedagogy in a law school setting and false confessions.