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 litigating and adjudicating professional liability disputes. Helder is recognized as an expert in professional liability by Lexpert. Helder also litigates corporate/commercial, real estate and construction disputes.
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 has lectured on Insolvency and Alternative Disputes Resolution at the Bar Admissions Course. He is also an instructor in litigation workshops sponsored by The Advocates' Society.
Helder's hobbies include skiing, riding and hiking. Helder also expends a considerable amount of energy in persuading his teen-aged daughter to participate in these activities.
Memberships
• Canadian Bar Association
• Ontario Bar Association
• Metropolitan Toronto Lawyers' Association
• The Advocates' Society
Experience
Insurance Advice and Litigation:
Architects' Errors & Omissions: counsel to the Pro-Demnity Insurance Company, a captive company operating, 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.
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.); trial counsel in defending Sony in a complex and protracted trial on charges of price maintenance under the Competition 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 enrichment.
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; counsel 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 various actions involving debt enforcement, shareholders disputes, winding up remedies, tax liabilities, and syndication of securities (i.e. limited partnerships, etc.).
