It is with great sadness that we share news of the passing of Frederick Hamilton on September 2, 2022. Fred, along with four other partners and two associates, established Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP 50 years ago. He was called to the bar in 1958 and almost immediately set to work on creating the labour law we know of today in Canada.
He was a skilful, deliberate and strategic advisor and he managed some of the most challenging labour relations issues across the country over his decades-long career. His insights into the evolving dynamic of labour relations and its impact on the many various business industries to whom we provide advice made him one of the most sought-after counsel in the bar.
Fred was the firm’s second Managing Partner—always leading by example and always putting the firm first. Fred was generous with his time and made himself available to work through a problem with anyone who sought out his guidance. His door was always open and he was committed to teaching the generation of lawyers who followed him. Anyone who had the privilege of working with him will attest that a problem taken to Fred was always solved in an insightful, considerate and legally savvy manner. No problem was too big for Fred—and the more complicated the facts, the more he enjoyed helping craft the solution.
Law was not Fred’s only passion. Fred strongly believed in giving back to the community. His philanthropic work with the Molson Indy Festival Foundation and then Coast to Coast/Bike for Tykes was a passion that the firm was honoured to support. Fred believed quite strongly that we all ought to do good in the community and one of the ways he ensured we all contributed was through Bike for Tykes.
We are all incredibly fortunate to have known Fred. He will be remembered for the positive impact he had on our lives and the invaluable contributions he made to our firm, the legal community and Canadian labour law. His legacy will continue to live on in the work we all do at Hicks Morley.
He will be missed.
