OUR LAWYERS
ALDO BERLINGIERI*
Law Professional Corporation
Aldo Berlingieri was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario and is a graduate of St. Thomas More and Cathedral High Schools. He started his University studies at King’s University College at the University of Western Ontario making the Dean’s List in his second year and was accepted into Law School after completing the minimum two years of undergraduate studies.
Mr. Berlingieri graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Western Ontario in 1981 as a member of the Dean’s Honour List. He articled with the firm of Yachetti, Lanza and Restivo in Hamilton where he later became a partner and practiced for five years. In 1988 Mr. Berlingieri joined Bartolini, Berlingieri, Barrafato, Fortino, LLP, and is a partner in that firm as well as one of the founding partners of Escarpment Law Group.
Mr. Berlingieri’s practice includes Real Estate and Financing Transactions, Business Acquisitions and Sales, Business Re-Organizations, Franchising, Commercial Leasing, Shareholder and Partnership disputes, Wills and Estate Planning.
Mr. Berlingieri has provided pro bono legal counsel to charitable and non-profit organizations and has volunteered with various youth sports organizations and community advisory boards. He is married with three children, speaks Italian, loves all things sports related and resides in the Hamilton area.
ALANNA C. STEPHEN*
B.A., LL.B., J.D.
Law Professional Corporation
Alanna C. Stephen graduated with Honours from the University of Guelph with a Major in Criminal Justice & Public Policy and a Minor in Spanish. Ms. Stephen attended Law School at the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy obtaining both a Canadian and an American law degree in 2004.
In Law School, Ms. Stephen successfully represented political asylum claimants in front of the Immigration Board and placed first in both the Professional Responsibility Moot Court and Management Competitions.
Ms. Stephen articled at O’Connor MacLeod Hanna in Oakville and was called to the Bar in 2005. From 2005 until 2011, Ms. Stephen was an associate with Yachetti, Lanza & Restivo in Hamilton practicing mainly in the areas of Civil Litigation and Criminal Law. With this varied background, Ms. Stephen brings a multi-faceted approach to her current areas of practice: Real Estate Law and Wills/Estates. She joined Escarpment Law Group shortly after it was established in 2011 and is now a partner.
Ms. Stephen sits on a Board for a non-profit group offering after school help for underprivileged children in the Jane & Finch area of Toronto. She speaks Spanish as a second language, has travelled extensively through Latin America and has lived in both Bolivia and Spain. She enjoys being outdoors with her husband and very active children.
DOUGLAS J. DePAULO*
Professional Corporation
Douglas DePaulo was enrolled in the Business Administration Program at McMaster University from 1972 until 1974 and thereafter attended the University of Western Ontario where he obtained his Bachelor of Law Degree in 1979.
Mr. DePaulo articled with the firm of Pelech, Turnbull, Otto & Powell of Hamilton from 1979 to 1980. He was called to the Bar in 1981, and thereafter travelled the World extensively. Upon his return to Canada, he joined Yachetti, Lanza & Restivo LLP in the fall of 1981 where he was managing partner until the firm dissolved in late 2017. Mr. DePaulo founded Escarpment Law Group with Aldo Berlingieri in 2011.
Mr. DePaulo practices exclusively in the areas of Real Estate, Corporate Law and Wills & Estates. From modest beginnings, Mr. DePaulo now represents hundreds of Corporations and Businesses located in Southern Ontario.
Mr. DePaulo was born in Hamilton and he and his wife are proud Hamiltonians. He is active in the Hamilton community and is a 40-year member of the YMCA and a 25 year member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He is an avid traveller and spends as much time as he can with his family.
ANNELI THOMSON*
B.A. (Hons), LL.L., J.D.
A lifelong Hamiltonian, Anneli is a graduate of Westdale Secondary School. She combined her love of travel with university studies, earning five degrees at four universities in Canada and Europe. Anneli completed the National Program at the University of Ottawa, achieving both a common law and civil law degree which allowed her to complete most of her legal studies in French.
Following law school, Anneli traveled to Europe on scholarship to study International Politics and Security, receiving cum laude for her thesis on International Law in the Baltic Sea Area. She returned to Canada to start her legal career and worked at a busy litigation firm in Niagara following her Call to the Bar in 2015. Anneli has appeared before the Small Claims Court, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Provincial Offences Court, Social Benefits Tribunal, and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. Anneli joined Escarpment Law Group in 2018 and is thrilled to be back in her hometown practicing law.
Anneli also teaches Estonian school and loves spending time with her young children and extended family.
AMEY HANNA*
B.A. (Hons), J.D.
Amey Hanna completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from McMaster University, graduating with Honours in 2010. She went on to obtain her J.D. from Western University Cooley Law School, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2013. While in law school, Ms. Hanna was a member of the Dean's list and was awarded two Certificates of Merit, the highest honour for academic performance, in both Canadian Constitutional Law and Secured Transactions.
Ms. Hanna completed her articles at the law firm of Bartolini, Berlingieri, Barrafato, Fortino LLP in Hamilton and joined Escarpment Law Group as an associate lawyer after her call to the Bar in 2015. She practices in the areas of Real Estate Law and Wills & Estates.
Outside of the law, Ms. Hanna is an avid reader and loves to travel. During law school, she participated in a study abroad program, during which time she lived in Paris and travelled throughout Europe.
ALYSSA DI LALLO*
B.A., LL.B.
Alyssa Di Lallo joined Escarpment Law Group as an associate lawyer in 2021. Her practice focuses on Real Estate, Wills & Estates, and Corporate law.
Ms. Di Lallo obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Brock University. She then obtained her Bachelor of Laws with Honours from the University of Exeter, a top Russell Group University in the United Kingdom, and continued her professional training in commercial real estate at a large law firm in Southwest England.
Upon her return to Canada, Ms. Di Lallo completed her articling requirements a boutique criminal and real estate law firm in Oakville. She has appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court of Justice, and Small Claims Court.
Ms. Di Lallo was born and raised in the Niagara Region, and she is proud to be serving clients in Niagara and St. Catharines. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her young family.
BRIAN J. BENNETT*
B.A. (Hons), J.D.
Brian Bennett attended Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where he majored in Political Studies and minored in History to obtain his Bachelor's degree, with Honours. He continued his studies at Queen’s Law School graduating with his J.D. in 2019.
Mr. Bennett articled with a sole practitioner in Toronto, gaining experience in various areas of practice, including Corporate/Commercial, Civil Litigation, Wills & Estates, and Family Law. After being called to the Bar, Mr. Bennett operated his own general practice for a year before joining a boutique firm in Toronto where he primarily practiced Real Estate Law.
Mr. Bennett joined Escarpment Law Group in 2022 and practices Real Estate, Wills & Estates, and Corporate Law.
Mr. Bennett lives in Burlington where he enjoys long walks with the dog, listening to the latest podcasts, and planning his next escape to cottage country.