Atty. Steven Barrett
For over 30 years, trade unions have relied on Steven Barrett to represent their interests, and the interests of their members, in all types of legal proceedings. Grievance and interest arbitration, labour relations board applications, collective bargaining – Steven does it all and makes it look easy.
Administrative and Public Law & More Attorney · Serving Toronto, ON
Profile Summary
About Steven Barrett at a Glance
Steven Barrett is a employment, government, and appellate attorney based in Toronto, Ontario, practicing at Goldblatt Partners LLP. Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Administrative and Public Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Labour and Employment Law (2026). Serves clients in Toronto, ON and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Steven Barrett
- For over 30 years, trade unions have relied on Steven Barrett to represent their interests, and the interests of their members, in all types of legal proceedings
- Grievance and interest arbitration, labour relations board applications, collective bargaining – Steven does it all and makes it look easy
- That’s why a member of parliament once referred to Steven as “the Wayne Gretzky of labour law”
- From protecting the scope of bargaining unit work, to challenging discipline or discharge, to making sure retiring employees get their full pension entitlements, there are few collective agreement disputes Steven has not argued
- At the Ontario Labour Relations Board, he has represented unions in all kinds of proceedings from illegal strike applications, to related employer disputes, to complex unfair labour practice complaints
- When the terms of a collective agreement must be determined, trade unions and professional associations call on Steven to conduct their collective bargaining negotiations, put forward their position at interest arbitration, or act as their nominee on an interest arbitration board
- Steven also provides strategic advice to trade unions, professional associations and central labour bodies concerning legislative and policy initiatives, including in their dealings with government, universities, hospitals and municipalities
- Steven’s advocacy skills can also be seen in his class action practice
- He has represented bank employees and others seeking a right to statutory overtime pay, retirees whose post-retirement benefits were improperly reduced, and hockey players seeking a right to the basic entitlements of employment standards legislation
- Steven is perhaps most widely known for his work advancing the freedom of association guarantee in s. 2(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
- He has represented intervenors in Supreme Court of Canada appeals dealing with the interpretation of s. 2(d), including in cases where the Court extended the scope of s. 2(d) to protect collective bargaining and the right to strike
- He has published a number of articles on that jurisprudence, and discussed it at many legal conferences
- Steven has also brought successful s. 2(d) applications before the lower courts
- In addition to his recognition by Best Lawyers, Steven has been consistently named by his peers as a leading labour law practitioner in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, and is named as a notable practitioner in Chambers Canada
Practice Areas Explained
Steven Barrett's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Steven Barrett handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Toronto.
Employment Law in Toronto
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Steven Barrett is one of 167,770 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Ontario →
Government & Administrative Law in Toronto
Attorneys for administrative law, agency hearings, government contracts, licensing, and public benefits.
Steven Barrett is one of 131,162 government attorneys indexed nationally. Browse government attorneys in Ontario →
Appellate Practice in Toronto
Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.
Steven Barrett is one of 85,572 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in Ontario →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Toronto
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 Toronto 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.
Toronto Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Toronto-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 Toronto or all attorneys in Ontario.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Toronto Choose Steven Barrett
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 Steven Barrett's practice in the field of employment, government, and appellate.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering employment, government, and appellate, Steven Barrett can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Toronto
A Toronto-based practice means Steven Barrett 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 Steven Barrett Handles in Toronto
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Steven Barrett 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 Steven Barrett directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Steven Barrett Online
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Steven Barrett's Practice Areas & Specializations
Awards & Professional Honors
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