Louis Frapporti

Louis Frapporti is a partner in Gowling WLG's Hamilton office. Having recently concluded his tenure as regional managing partner, he is returning to full time practice.

In his four years as managing partner of the Hamilton office, Louis conceived and led a program of transformative change during which he:

  • Doubled the office's size through strategic recruitment and a historic merger with ESB Lawyers;
  • Launched the office's journey to a new home at McMaster Innovation Park, slated to open in 2022 – a first of its kind in Canada;
  • Engineered innovative partnerships with local institutions including the City Of Hamilton's Economic Development department, McMaster University, Mohawk College and other public institutions;
  • Assumed Chairmanship of the efforts to return the Commonwealth Games to Ontario for the first time since their founding in 1930;
  • Created new pathways to connect with clients and community, including the office's first Community Summit and the Accelerating Business podcast.

These efforts and others have drawn a number of accolades, including a City of Hamilton Business Appreciation Award and an Outstanding Business Achievement Award from the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

Having successfully concluded his tenure as managing partner, Louis is currently leveraging his work of the last several years to focus his efforts on providing strategic advice to organizations seeking transformative growth. He also continues to be an enthusiastic global ambassador for the City of Hamilton, its business community and its key institutions, including McMaster Innovation Park, McMaster University and Mohawk College.

Career & Recognition

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Memberships

  • The Advocates' Society
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • DRI, national organization of defence trial lawyers and corporate counsel
  • Hamilton Law Association
  • One of approximately 40 Canadian lawyers admitted to the U.S. Federation of Defence and Corporate Counsel

Representative Work

  • The defence of a European manufacturer of electrical switchgear which was alleged to have failed in connection with an explosion and subsequent fire in a metropolitan shopping mall.
  • The defence of a European manufacturer of power distribution equipment which was alleged to have been defective, causing significant consequential damages to a major New York State utility.
  • The prosecution of a claim by a European manufacture of electrical power turbines seeking to recover millions owing under a contract of supply.
  • The defence of a prominent Canadian University in relation to a sizeable claim for compensation arising from the operation of its nuclear reactor.
  • The obtaining of an interlocutory and permanent injunction on behalf of the City of Hamilton enjoining protestors from obstructing the construction of a major metropolitan highway.
  • The defence of a commercial property owner in relation to a fall causing quadriplegia.