Atty. David Baker
David grew up in Toronto believing it was right to stand outside the fence, if that was the principled place to be. His mother, an early feminist, and his father, a progressive with Mennonite roots, encouraged him to use law as an instrument of social change.
Labour and Employment Law Attorney · Serving Hamilton, ON
Profile Summary
About David Baker at a Glance
David Baker is a employment attorney based in Hamilton, Ontario, practicing at Ross & McBride LLP. Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Labour and Employment Law (2026). Serves clients in Hamilton, ON and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About David Baker
- David grew up in Toronto believing it was right to stand outside the fence, if that was the principled place to be
- His mother, an early feminist, and his father, a progressive with Mennonite roots, encouraged him to use law as an instrument of social change
- While at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law, David established Canada’s first legal aid clinic housed within a psychiatric hospital. “Law works, but only for those who can get through the door,” he observes
- David was exposed to trade union-side law as an articling student at the pioneering law firm of Cameron Brewin and Scott
- In search of a new way to deliver legal services, he joined Ralph Nader in Washington where he practiced public interest law
- When he returned to Canada, David shared his vision of a public interest law centre with the leadership of the disabled community
- Together they worked to establish ARCH, the Advocacy Resource Centre for the Handicapped
- David became its founding Executive Director
- David was active in securing the inclusion of persons with disabilities in human rights legislation and in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
- His LL.M. thesis, published in the Supreme Court Law Review, served as a blueprint for Charter litigation
- David then pursued real equality as counsel in a series of cases before the Supreme Court of Canada, from O’Malley and Andrews to Eldridge, Grismer and Lovelace. “Canada’s jurisprudence is the envy of equality-seekers around the world
- Based on precedents that have already been set, many existing barriers will be found to be discriminatory,” he says
- David has been at the forefront of a remarkable process of legislative reform
- Regrettably, recent political setbacks have moved much of the struggle for equality back to the courts, to labour boards and to human rights tribunals. “My energies at Ross & McBride will be committed to furthering the rights and interests of the disadvantaged while at the same time defending what has already been achieved.” David has provided training for judges and has lectured at law schools and to seminars for the legal profession
- At the international level, David has served on the UNESCO Panel of International Human Rights Experts
- For his work at ARCH and his contribution to the legal profession, David was awarded the Law Society Medal in 1998
- David is working with a like-minded group of dedicated counsel to continue his Charter of Rights and Freedoms and human rights practice
- David is available to clients with employment, education, transportation, mental health, occupation health and safety, class action, income security, automobile injury insurance, disability rights insurance problems, and compensation issues
- David will continue his active government relations practice and will continue to serve as an advisor to boards and commissions
- David also designs and presents seminars for trade unions, equality-seeking groups and professional organizations on a wide range of equality rights and workplace topics, including the duty to accommodate
- David’s lifetime partner is Birthe Jorgensen, a criminologist who has worked as an academic, with the NDP and as a health policy advisor
- They have two children, Zeke and Stoney
Practice Areas Explained
David Baker's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases David Baker handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Hamilton.
Employment Law in Hamilton
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
David Baker is one of 167,770 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Ontario →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Hamilton
Practicing law in Ontario. Legal matters in Ontario are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Hamilton are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Ontario state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Ontario brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Ontario courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Hamilton Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Hamilton-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Ontario attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Hamilton or all attorneys in Ontario.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Hamilton Choose David Baker
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish David Baker's practice in the field of employment.
Focused Employment Practice
Concentrating on employment means David Baker's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in Hamilton
A Hamilton-based practice means David Baker attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues David Baker Handles in Hamilton
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters David Baker has experience with under Ontario law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact David Baker directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find David Baker Online
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David Baker's Practice Areas & Specializations
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