Stephen A. Thiele

Stephen A. Thiele

Partner

Stephen A. Thiele
Contact Information

Stephen A. Thiele

Partner


T 416.865.6651

F 416.865.6636

E sthiele@grllp.com

Education
Osgoode Hall Law School, LL.B. 1992
York University, B.A. (Honours, Political Science), 1987
Certificate of Achievement, Schulich School of Law
Dalhousie University (intensive workshop in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Phase 1, 2025)

Bar Admission
Ontario, 1992
About Gardiner Roberts LLP

For over 100 years, Gardiner Roberts has combined the benefits of a full-service law firm with the dexterity of a mid-sized one. Our focused, cross-disciplinary, one-team approach and commitment to understand your business joins our relevant expertise, immediacy and dedication to providing client-centric, hands-on service. 100% Canadian and fully independent, we offer a level of overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness that larger firms can't touch. Resisting "cookie-cutter" law, Gardiner Roberts has built its name - one rewarding client relationship at a time.

Executive Summary

Stephen Thiele is the firm’s Director of Legal Research. He primarily closely works with the Dispute Resolution lawyers, providing advice, value-added analysis and opinions on a wide-range of litigation matters.

Stephen also develops strategies and legal arguments for use on motions, at trials and on appeals. He is frequently required to prepare the written arguments used by the firm’s Dispute Resolution lawyers.

Stephen’s work also branches out beyond supporting Gardiner Roberts legal teams, being engaged by a number of private practicing lawyers and corporate counsel for institutional clients on an outsource basis to review and analyze legal issues affecting the clients of those lawyers or their institutions, adding to the breadth of his experience.

Stephen is an author and co-author of many legal articles that cover and discuss topics related to legal research as well as others related to current high profile legal issues, including those related to the law of defamation, political law and sports law. 

He is the co-author of A Practical Guide to the Law of Defamation (LexisNexis: 2024) and the author of Heroes of the Game: A History of the Grey Cup (Moulin Publishing: 1997).

In April 2025, Stephen was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada and the Government of Ontario in recognition of his making a profound and lasting contribution to Ontario and to Canada and his exceptional contributions and dedication to the betterment of our province and country. Stephen was the recipient of the Toronto Lawyers Association’s 2017 Honsberger Award in recognition of his accomplishments and ongoing contributions to the legal community and the community at large. Stephen is currently a Trustee for the Law Foundation of Ontario. The Law Foundation of Ontario is the sole foundation in Ontario with the mandate of improving access to justice.

Representative Work

  • Preparing written arguments for Ontario Superior Court of Justice and Court of Appeal for Ontario on multiple legal issues and topics, including professional liability and defamation matters
  • Co-counsel in successful defence of defamation against now former Mayor of the City of Toronto
  • Co-counsel in contested election case that was eventually determined by the Supreme Court of Canada)
Expertise

Articles and Presentations
Articles

My Blog
Board Memberships
  • Member of The Canadian Abridgement Editorial Advisory Board (Canadian Association of Law Libraries)
Recognition
  • 2025 King Charles III Coronation Medal
  • 2017 Honsberger Award from the Toronto Lawyers Association
Professional Involvement
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Ontario Bar Association
  • Legal Research Network
Community Involvement
  • Member, Rotary Club of Toronto West
  • Chair, Owners Re-zoning committee, Kamaole Sands
  • Past- Elected Representative, Ward 6, Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (Toronto District School Board)
  • Past-President, The Toronto Party for a Better City
  • Past-Director, Etobicoke Centre Federal Liberal Association
  • Coach, Royal York Baseball League
  • Coach and co‑convenor, Humber Valley Hockey Association
Beyond the Office

Outside the office, Stephen enjoys playing ice hockey with some long-time friends from high school and golfing with his family. Stephen also enjoys collecting sports memorabilia and learning about Canadian history and ancient Roman coins.