Stephen Gleave

Hamilton-based lawyer Stephen Gleave is an internationally recognized expert in Canadian Labour and Employment law who has practiced law since 1990. He has litigated many of Canada’s preeminent employment cases.

Stephen graduated from Queens University with an LL.B and did graduate work in law at Oxford University before embarking on his legal career. He was admitted to the Law Society of Ontario and the Canadian Bar Association.

After spending much of his legal career at the law firm of Hicks Morley, Stephen joined DLA Piper (Canada) LLP in 2019, where he is currently a partner. His clients include organizations in commercial and employment disputes and he has completed hundreds of labour and commercial arbitrations, 50 labour and civil injunctions, and 50 trials throughout his legal career. This has led Stephen to be included in the Best Lawyers in Canada guide, Best Lawyers Global Business list, and Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory for being an expert in Labour and Employment.

His most recent legal accomplishments include: upholding of forfeiture of executive compensation plans on behalf of a Canadian bank, two cases discussing situations in which the seller of a business is entitled to higher earn out payments due to oppression in the insurance sector, and dismissing a class action over retiree benefits on behalf of a major Canadian insurance company.

In addition to his expertise in employment law, Stephen is well-versed in the forensic inspection of media devices in regards to the collection, preservation, and integrity of digital evidence found on those devices. He now teaches seminars on the topic to other attorneys.

Stephen and his cases have been featured by numerous news agencies and he regularly provides commentary on Canadian employment law cases to the media.

He recently relocated his practice into the historic Hamilton office building at the urging of his good friend, colleague as well as corporate and real estate attorney John Vitulli, who owns the building. That proximity has enriched both of their practices.

Stephen enjoys the shorter commute to The Beasley and has a good time introducing his Toronto clients to the plethora of top-notch eateries the area has to offer.

Stephen enjoys sharing what he has learned and he continues to practice, research, and speak in the area of employment law. In his free time, he enjoys working on his Ancaster farm with his family, beekeeping, walking his dogs, and running dozens of miles per week.