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Fast Facts
Law School:
Osgoode Hall, LL.B. - 1981
Undergraduate:
York University, B.A. Honours - 1978
Areas of Practice:
Civil Litigation
Professional Liability
Corporate/Commercial
Real Estate
Construction Litigation
Memberships:
Canadian Bar Association
Metropolitan Toronto Lawyers' Association
The Advocates’ Society
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Helder Travassos was born in Portugal and grew up in Toronto.
He obtained his law degree in 1981 from Osgoode Hall Law School. Helder articled with Shibley Righton and then joined the firm in 1983 upon his call to the bar.
Helder’s litigation practice consists of professional liability, corporate/commercial and real estate, with expertise in the area of insurance law and related issues, as well as construction law. He is recognized as an expert in professional liability by Lexpert.
Helder has appeared before all levels of courts in Ontario, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He has also appeared before various tribunals. He is a versatile litigator.
Helder lectures on Insolvency and Alternative Disputes Resolution at the Bar Admissions Course and has received many rave reviews from his students. He is also an instructor in litigation workshops sponsored by The Advocates’ Society.
When Helder’s 25 year old horse, Montego, is not up to his tasks, Helder hangs out with Toro, a black lab (originally trained to be a seeing eye dog). Helder also enjoys collecting fine wines from around the world (although he finds it much more fun to drink them), and has a wry sense of humour.
Representative Cases:
Insurance Advice and Litigation:
Architects' Errors & Omissions: counsel to the Ontario Association of Architects Indemnity Plan, a self-insured plan for architects. The work consists primarily in conducting defence on behalf of architects against claims alleging professional liability and in rendering advice on insurance related matters. Recently acted successfully on behalf of Norr Engineering in an arbitration involving allegations of negligent welding design of an underground fuel delivery system.
Lawyers' Errors & Omissions: counsel to the Lawyers' Professional Indemnity Company; involved in conducting defence on behalf of lawyers against claims alleging professional liability, rendering comprehensive opinions and advice with respect to coverage questions and implementing remedial work-outs in the corporate, commercial and real estate fields.
Commercial Litigation:
Hanston v. Tureck (Ont. H.C.); represented applicant in application to stay an action and enforce compliance with the requirements of PPSA relative to the enforceability of a pledge and hypothecation of shares (Reported at (1986) 56 O.R. (2d) 393).
R. v. Sony (Ont. H.C.); junior trial counsel (to Richard Shibley) in defending Sony in a complex and protracted trial on charges of price maintenance under the Combines Investigation Act (Reported at (1987) 16 C.P.R. (3d) 50).
Canadian Motorcycle Association v. Jevco Insurance Company, Kansa Insurance Company and A.E. Bliss Insurance Agency (Ont. H.C.); represented C.M.A. in action against insurance broker for negligence and declaratory relief respecting coverage against insurers.
Musallam v. Mac's Milk (Ont. H.C.); lead trial and appellate counsel representing Mac's Milk in defence of action brought by franchisee for breach of commercial franchise agreement and fiduciary duties.
Glengorm v. Johnson & Johnson (Ont. H.C.); trial counsel representing Tek Hughes Brushes Co. in complex litigation involving breaches of an implied contract and claims for unjust enrichments.
Viggiani v. Marrese (Ont. H.C.); successfully represented Viggiani in action against defendant for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary and trust duties and fraud.
Planet Earth Productions v. Rowlands, RCA Records Ltd., CBS Records, et al (Ont. H.C.); lead trial counsel representing RCA and CBS in action to determine ownership of copyright interest in photographic negatives of recording artists and the exigibility of a copyright interest under Execution Act (Reported at (1990) 73 O.R. (2d) 505).
Rocket v. Royal College of Dental Surgeons et al; junior counsel (to Richard Shibley) before the Supreme Court of Canada on behalf of RCDS in case involving the constitutionality of dental advertising regulations (reported at [1990] 2 S.C.R. 232; (1990) 21 D.L.R. (4th) 68 (S.C.C.)).
Capogna v. Markloon Investments (Ont. H.C.); lead counsel in representing Capogna in enforcing $5 million mortgage in successful summary judgment motion; represented Capogna in negotiations relative to subsequent expropriation proceedings.
Adno et al v. Ontario Physiotherapy Association (Ont. H.C.); lead trial counsel in representing OPA in action involving challenges to its corporate authority. Represented OPA in injunction proceeding -establishing right of Association to take remedial steps to rectify wrong complained of prior to trial of action (Reported (1992) 6 O.R. (3d) 209).
Patel et al v. Esthetic & Beauty Supply Limited et al (Ont. Gen. Div.); retained by 7 franchisees across Canada in $4 million injunction action against the franchisor for breach of franchise agreement and fiduciary duties.
McDonald et al v. Boxed Meats Revolution et al (Ont. Gen. Div.); retained by corporate defendants and shareholders with respect to action involving OBCA oppression remedy and duties of officers and directors.
Pratt & Whitney v. Norr et al; lead counsel at arbitration involving complex questions of breach of contract and negligence relating to the welding of an underground jet fuel delivery system.
- Representing parties in several actions involving debt enforcement, shareholders disputes, winding up remedies, tax liabilities, and syndication of securities (i.e. limited partnerships, etc.).
Helder may be reached at:
T: 416.214.5229
F: 416.214.5429
E: helder.travassos@shibleyrighton.com
Links to practice areas by
Helder Travassos
Civil Litigation Group
Construction Law Group
Insolvency and Creditors' Rights Group
Professional Liability Group
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