OUR LAWYERS
Aldo Berlingieri | Partner • Reno Berlingieri | Partner • Paul Barrafato | Partner • Ben Fortino | Partner
Nicholas Greer | Associate • Nev Khangura | Associate • Robert M. Berlingieri | Associate • Anthony Valeri | Associate
Aldo Berlingieri | Partner
James St. Office
Called to the Bar of Ontario: 1983
Areas of Practice: Real Estate Transactions, Corporate and Commercial Matters, Estate Planning and Wills
Aldo Berlingieri has focused his practice of law in the areas of: Real Estate transactions, including purchases, sales, and financing; Corporate and Commercial matters, including incorporations, business acquisitions and sales, re-organizations, franchising, shareholder and partnership agreements, and commercial leasing, and; Estate Planning and Wills, including powers of attorney, trusts, estate administration, and asset protection strategies.
Mr. Berlingieri brings a valuable litigation background to his practice, having appeared before several levels of Ontario Courts and various administrative boards handling client disputes related to his current areas of practice. This unique perspective allows him to provide effective and insightful advice and risk assessment to his clients. His general civil litigation practice has gained him a wealth of experience in Property Law, including failed real estate transactions, construction lien matters, powers of sale, boundary disputes, Ontario Municipal Board hearings, and various Municipal Committee of Adjustment and Board hearings; Corporate and Commercial Law, including breach of contract claims, shareholder disputes, bankruptcy proceedings, and enforcement of commercial lease provisions, and; Estates and Wills matters, including beneficiary disputes and various estate litigation matters. Mr. Berlingieri has also represented clients in other diverse areas of law, such as Personal Injury Claims, CPP Appeals, WSIB Hearings, various Provincial Court matters from Highway Traffic Act charges to Environmental Law violations, criminal proceedings, Criminal Injuries Compensation Board hearings, and Coroner’s Inquests.
Aldo Berlingieri was born and raised in Hamilton. He studied at King’s University College at the University of Western Ontario, and graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Western Ontario in 1981 as a member of the Dean’s Honour List. Mr. Berlingieri has been in private practice since 1983 and joined his present firm and partners practicing under the name of Bartolini, Berlingieri, Barrafato, Fortino LLP, in 1988. Mr. Berlingieri is a member in good standing with the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Hamilton Law Association, and the Hamilton Lawyers’ Club. He is a past President and Executive Director of the Hamilton Lawyers’ Club, and has served as President and Director on the Board of Volunteer and Non-Profit Community Organizations. Throughout his career, Mr. Berlingieri has frequently provided pro bono legal services to various charitable and non-profit organizations and was also an active volunteer in various youth sports organizations and community advisory boards.
Reno Berlingieri | Partner
James St. Office
Called to the Bar of Ontario: 1984
Areas of Practice: Personal Injury, Accident Benefits
Born and raised in Hamilton, Reno attended St. Thomas More High School and went on to graduate from King’s University College at the University of Western Ontario. Reno then obtained his law degree from the University of Ottawa. After articling in his hometown, Reno formed the law partnership of Bartolini, Berlingieri with the late Mario Bartolini, and developed his expertise in the area of Personal Injury Law. Reno is very proud to have been part of the original Hamilton Personal Injury roundtable, which later evolved into the Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association, and he continues to be a member today.
Reno has extensive experience with motor vehicle accidents, accident benefits, and slip and fall matters. He has appeared before various levels of court, including the Superior Court of Justice and Divisional Court, as well as administrative tribunals. He is a creative and aggressive advocate on behalf of his clients.
Reno is also a member of the Hamilton Law Association, the Advocates’ Society, and is past President of the Hamilton Lawyers’ Club. Reno has always been keenly involved in various charitable organizations, which is an activity he continues to enjoy. When he isn’t fighting for his clients, Reno enjoys playing golf, attending sporting events, and spending time with his friends and family. He lives in Burlington and is married with two children.
Paul Barrafato | Partner
John St. office
Called to the Bar of Ontario: 1984
Areas of Practice: Personal Injury, Accident Benefits, Long-Term Disability, WSIB, CPP
Paul graduated from McMaster University in 1979 with an Honours B.A. in History and Economics. He attended University of Ottawa Law School and graduated in 1982. Paul articled with the law firm of Rayner Oliver in Hamilton and was called to the bar in 1984. He became a partner at Bartolini, Berlingieri, Barrafato, Fortino LLP in 1989. Paul’s practice is restricted exclusively to plaintiff personal injury cases with an emphasis on motor vehicle accidents, accident benefits, long term disability, WSIB, and CPP. The practice has focused on dealing with catastrophic impairment claims.
Paul has appeared before various levels of Courts in Ontario and at administrative tribunals, including the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, and the Social Benefits Tribunal. Memberships include the Ontario and Canadian Bar Associations, the Hamilton Law Association, the Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association, and the Advocates’ Society.
Paul’s practice leaves little free time, but any spare time that Paul does have is spent traveling with his family and helping the community, particularly with individuals with autism.
Ben Fortino | Partner
James St. Office
Called to the Bar of Ontario: 1991
Areas of Practice: Personal Injury, Accident Benefits, Family Law, Civil Litigation
A proud Hamiltonian, Ben was born and raised there and attended King’s University College at the University of Western Ontario for his undergraduate studies. He completed his law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, graduating with distinction. Upon his call to the Bar, Ben articled with the firm and has an extensive background in a number of different areas of law. He quickly became partner and built his practice in the areas of Civil Litigation and Family Law.
Ben maintains a rather broad litigation practice but focuses primarily on personal injury actions, including motor vehicle claims, accident benefit claims, and slip and fall accidents. His proficiency in this area and his extensive experience in Family Law have distinguished Ben as a notable advocate on behalf of his clients.
He has appeared in various level of court in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Appeal. He is a member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association, a committee member of the Hamilton Law Association, and a member of the Hamilton Lawyers’ Club.
Ben is a sports fanatic, and in particular, an ardent fan of the Boston Bruins. He also enjoys coaching for various youth sports organizations. Ben lives in Hamilton and is married with two kids.
Nicholas Greer | Associate
John St. office
Called to the Bar of Ontario: 2006
Areas of Practice: Personal Injury, Accident Benefits
Nick is a native of Newmarket, Ontario where he was born and raised. Nick obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Windsor, where he then continued to study law at the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Law, graduating in 2005. After completing his articles with a prominent and well-respected Hamilton law firm, he was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2006.
Nick joined his current firm as an associate in 2007 and has been a strong advocate for client’s ever since. Appearing before various courts in Ontario, he has focused his practice in the area of Personal Injury Law, with a particular emphasis on tort matters, including motor vehicle accidents and slip and fall claims. He has since broadened his expertise into the area of accident benefits and catastrophic injuries. Nick is a member of the Hamilton Law Association, the Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association, and the Advocates’ Society.
A talented and accomplished goaltender, Nick was drafted to the Ontario Hockey League prior to pursuing his legal career. In his free time, Nick continues to play hockey, and enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Nev Khangura | Associate
James St. Office
Called to the Bar of Ontario: 2015
Areas of Practice: Personal Injury, Accident Benefits, Estate Planning
After the completion of his articles at an insurance defence firm in the City of Hamilton, and his subsequent call to the Ontario bar, Nev joined Bartolini Berlingieri Barrafato Fortino LLP in 2015 as an Associate.
His principal focus is on personal injury matters consisting of motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, accident benefits, and short-term and long-term disability claims, with a secondary focus on estate and succession planning. Nev actively participates in the legal process by regularly attending before the Superior Court of Justice, conducting Examinations for Discovery, and participating in Private Mediations.
In 2009, Nev was called to the General Council of the Bar (United Kingdom) at the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (Inn of Court). During his education and legal training at the Inn of Court, Nev had the honour of meeting Her Majesty The Queen, and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh during their visit to the Inn for the 400th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Charter. To date, Nev continues to be a member of the Inner Temple.
Each morning, Nev has the privilege of traveling down the escarpment with a spectacular view of his city. This provides him with the inspiration needed, reinforcing his commitment to both his clients and the Hamilton community, something Nev has always strived to achieve. Nev is a proud participant of the Hamilton Lawyers’ Show and remains a member of both the Hamilton Law Association and Hamilton Lawyers’ Club. Outside the Hamilton bar, Nev values spending time with his wife and daughter, enjoys playing recreational hockey, and attending sporting events, including those of his hometown Tiger-Cats.
Robert M. Berlingieri | Associate
James St. Office
Called to the Bar of Ontario: 2015
Areas of Practice: Real Estate, Wills & Estates, Civil Litigation
Born and raised in Hamilton, Robert joined the firm as an articling student in 2014 and continued as an associate lawyer after his call to the Bar in 2015. Robert began his practice in the area of Civil Litigation with an emphasis on Personal Injury Law, including motor vehicle accidents and slip and fall matters. He also frequently represented clients charged under the Highway Traffic Act and other provincial offences. While he continues to work in the area of Civil Litigation, he has since expanded his expertise into the areas of Real Estate Law and Wills and Estates Law, which are now the primary focus of his practice.
Robert completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Organizational Studies at the University of Western Ontario in 2008. He went on to obtain his J.D. from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, graduating Cum Laude in 2013. While in law school, Robert was a member of the Dean's list and was awarded two Certificates of Merit, the highest honour for academic performance, in both his Trial Skills and Research & Writing courses. He was also active in his law school student groups and was Treasurer of the Canadian Law Society and Vice President of the Intramural Sports Organization.
Since joining the firm, Robert has advocated for clients in the Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Provincial Court, Small Claims Court, and at administrative bodies, including the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and the Financial Services Commission of Ontario. He is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Hamilton Law Association, and the Ontario Trial Lawyers' Association.
Outside of the law, Robert is an avid drummer and movie buff. In his spare time, he also enjoys playing a variety of sports, including soccer and basketball, and is always up for a good chess match.
Anthony Valeri | Associate
James St. Office
Called to the Bar of Ontario: 2023
Areas of Practice: Corporate & Commercial, Real Estate, Wills and Estate Planning
Born and raised in Hamilton, Anthony went on to attend Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where he majored in Political Studies to obtain his Bachelor's degree, with Honours. He then obtained his J.D. from the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia. Following law school, Anthony returned to Queen’s University to attend the Smith School of Business, earning a Master of Business Administration. Anthony articled within a boutique law firm in Toronto, gaining experience in the field of Civil Litigation. After being called to the Bar in October 2023, Anthony joined Bartolini, Berlingieri, Barrafato, Fortino LLP.
Anthony’s joint J.D. and MBA backgrounds uniquely position him to provide technical legal expertise while having an appreciation for surrounding business conditions. Anthony’s practice areas encompass Corporate & Commercial Law, Real Estate, and Wills & Estates.
Beyond law, Anthony is an avid fan of Inter Milan, the Dallas Cowboys, and enjoys playing soccer. Anthony looks forward to spending weekends with his friends and family.