About Scarfone Hawkins LLP

Scarfone Hawkins LLP is a full service law firm headquartered on the 14th floor of 1 James Street South in downtown Hamilton, Ontario. James A. Scarfone founded the practice in 1975 and was called to the Ontario Bar that same year, holding a B.A. from the University of Western Ontario (King's College, 1970) and an LL.B. from the University of Windsor (1973). Donald B. Hawkins later joined as the firm's other namesake and practiced law for more than 40 years before retiring; Scarfone remains with the firm as Counsel, working as a trained mediator on personal injury, medical malpractice, and product liability files.

The firm practices across many areas of law, spanning corporate and commercial transactions, real estate development, civil and commercial litigation, employment and labour law, family law, wills and estates, and intellectual property, along with newer fields like information technology and e-commerce law. It has also built an art collection over more than 40 years, buying work from students and faculty at the Dundas Valley School of Art and sponsoring the school's annual auction fundraiser. In 2025, marking its 50th year in Hamilton, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce presented Scarfone Hawkins with its Outstanding Business Achievement Award in the large business category, and Best Lawyers in Canada recognized six of the firm's lawyers across multiple practice areas.

In the community

  • Scarfone Hawkins has bought art from students and faculty at the Dundas Valley School of Art for more than 40 years and sponsors the school's annual art auction fundraiser.
  • Through the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' Defensive Difference-Makers program, the firm donates to the John Howard Society of Hamilton for every interception made during home games, supporting people at risk of or involved in the criminal justice system.
  • Scarfone Hawkins provides annual scholarships to legal assistant students at Mohawk College.
  • Partners, associates, and staff at Scarfone Hawkins donate non-perishable food items throughout the year to Good Shepherd Centres, which supports Hamilton residents facing food insecurity.
  • Scarfone Hawkins established the Barbara Hawkins Memorial Bursary at Osgoode Hall Law School, supporting first-year J.D. students from the Greater Hamilton Area who demonstrate financial need.
  • The firm is a regular contributor to United Way Halton & Hamilton's annual campaigns and has sponsored the Around the Bay Road Race for more than 10 years.

Good to know

A person using a wheelchairWheelchair accessibleA rainbow pride heartLGBTQ+ friendlyA laptop showing a video callVirtual appointmentsA calendar with a checkmark beside a clockBy appointmentAn office interior with a desk and chairsIn-person services

Certified Specialists

A designation granted by the Law Society of Ontario, not a self-declared area of focus.

This firm’s lawyers at a glance

Called to the bar
1975–2025 · median 9 years in practice 31 of 31 lawyers
Law schools
University of Windsor (8), University of Western Ontario (5), Osgoode Hall Law School (3), Queen's University (2), University of Birmingham (2), University of Ottawa (2) and 7 more 30 of 31 lawyers
Languages on the roster
Czech, English, French, Slovak

Where to find them

1 James St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 4R5 · 905-523-1333

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This listing was generated by AI from public sources in September 2026. It may contain errors, and we can’t guarantee it’s accurate or complete. Before you rely on anything here, verify it on the firm’s own website. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗

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