Michael Giordano is a founding partner of Avanessy Giordano LLP. Prior to establishing his own practice, he was a partner of a prominent personal injury firm.
He completed his law degree at the University of Ottawa. Prior to law school, Michael studied English and Law & Society at York University.
From personal experience, Michael can empathize with those who are seriously injured or who have lost loved ones due to the negligence of others and devotes his practice to helping families who have suffered such a loss. Read Michael’s story here.
Michael takes pride in skillfully advocating for his clients. His practice is focused on wrongful death cases, motorcycle accidents and serious injury litigation (brain and spine injuries, concussion and catastrophic impairments).
He has successfully argued numerous contested Motions and appeared as lead counsel for judge and jury trials in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. He has also obtained notable decisions at the Financial Services Tribunal and the Licence Appeal Tribunal, the adjudicating body for Accident Benefit disputes.
Michael was the recipient of the Martin Wunder, Q.C. Outstanding New Lawyer Award in 2017. He also received the Urban Hero Award in 2015 in recognition of his contributions to the community. More recently, Michael received the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association Distinguished Service Award in 2023. The Distinguished Service Award is awarded for long-standing dedicated service to furthering the goals of the organization. This is a peer-reviewed award that recognizes significant contributions and service with high distinction.
Michael is an active member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA). He was elected Chair of OTLA’s New Lawyers’ Division in 2017 and previously held the Vice-Chair position in 2014 and 2016. In 2018, he was voted onto OTLA’s Board of Directors. In 2023, he was elected to his final three-year term and appointed to the Executive Committee.
Michael also hosts the annual OTLA Cup, a moot competition amongst Ontario law school students with a focus on developing advocacy and litigation skills.
He is a regular contributor to various legal blogs and publications, has chaired and presented for many conferences and webinars, and has also written articles for The Litigator.
- Ontario Bar Association
- Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
- Law Society of Upper Canada
- Chambers v Remnant Tabernacle (2022) – Successfully argued a lengthy Summary Judgment Motion against the Defendant occupier who denied liability for a fall on their property due to ice and snow and sought to dismiss the Plaintiff’s claim. The Moton involved significant evidence including cross-examinations on eleven (11) Affidavits. This is a prominent decision for Occupier’s Liability, Standard of Care, voluntary assumption of risk, and what will be accepted as a “reasonable system of maintenance”. Cost submissions were made to the Court and significant costs were awarded to the Plaintiff.
- Robertson v. Bouclair (2019) – The Defendant sought to commence a Third Party Claim approximately two years after the Claim was issued. Contested Motion on the grounds that the delay was prejudicial. Court accepted strict timeline proposed by the Plaintiff. No costs awarded. The matter resolved shortly after.
- Grenier v. Intact Insurance (2019) – Lengthy Preliminary Hearing on a novel issue regarding the jurisdiction of the LAT and priority of accident benefits between SAAQ (the Quebec regime) and SABS (the Ontario regime).
- Singh v. Grewal (2018) – Matter successfully settled at the doorsteps of trial with a satisfactory result for the Plaintiff.
- Zarebicki v. Walmart (2016) – Successfully argued a lengthy Summary Judgment Motion in October 2016 re: liability & standard of care for slip and fall in a store which consisted of seven (7) cross-examinations. Cost submissions were made to the Court and significant costs were awarded to the Plaintiff.
- Alberton v. Eichler and Pereira v. Gjeta (2015) – successful on contested Motions re: production.
- Patel v. Jenik (2015) – Conducted a three (3) week Jury trial as lead counsel – judgment rendered for the Plaintiff.
- Rai v. Flowers (2014) – Conducted a Judge alone trial as lead counsel – judgment rendered for the Plaintiff.
- Kurzeja v. Fabutan (2011) – Conducted a Judge alone trial as lead counsel – judgment rendered for the Plaintiff.
- Gujjar v. Ossiff and Unifund (2011) – Argued a lengthy jurisdiction Motion (forum non conveniens analysis) consisting of three (3) court appearances prior to the Court of Appeal decision in Van Breda.
- Appeared as lead counselfor many FSCO decisions some which have been reported in the OTLA Updates such as El-Sisi v. Wawanesa (2014) and Mann v. State Farm (2014).
- Small claims court trial experience [see Gardiner v. Ally et al.]
- Successfully argued contested Motions in Superior Court.
- Conducted many successful CPP and WSIB / WSIAT appeals.
- Scholarship recipient – York University
- Governor General’s Academic Medal
- Valedictorian (Secondary School)
- Recipient of the North York Urban Hero Award 2015 for contributions to the community Read Michael’s story here.
- The TDCSB has created a namesake award, the “Michael Giordano Award of Excellence” to recognize achievements through adversity. The award is given each year to two high school students who pursue post-secondary education and have demonstrated strong leadership and social justice skills.
- Recipient of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association Martin Wunder, Q.C. Outstanding Young Lawyer Award in 2017. This is a peer reviewed award in recognition of exceptional commitment to and promotion of the advancement of the Trial Lawyers’ Mission: To fearlessly champion through the pursuit of the highest standards of advocacy the cause of those who have suffered injury or injustice. The successful recipient must have demonstrated participation in activities and programs to improve our legal system and its responsiveness to those for whom we advocate. The individual must also have displayed professional proficiency, undertaken trials, and provided service to the profession and the community.
- Recipient of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association Distinguished Service Award in 2023. The Distinguished Service Award is awarded for long standing dedicated service to furthering the goals and ideals of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association. This is a peer-reviewed award that recognizes significant contributions and serving the profession with high distinction.
- Presenter at the OTLA Spring Conference (2023) entitled, “Reckless Disregard: Recreational Trail Standard of Care”.
- Presenter at the OTLA Fall Conference (2022) entitled, “The Document Bank”.
- Presenter at the 4thMotor Vehicle Litigation Summit (2021) entitled, “Litigation Loans and After the Event Insurance: Changing the Litigation Landscape”.
- Presenter, Webinar, entitled, “The Business of Law” & Host of Breakfast Roundtable (2021).
- Chair of the OTLA Spring Conference 2021.
- Presenter at the OTLA Fall Conference (2021) entitled, “Productions – Who Pays and Other Common Issues”.
- Co-Author of the FSRA Submissions in Fall 2020 and 2021.
- Co-authored submissions to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs (Pre-Budget Consultations 2020 and 2021).
- Authored article in The Litigator magazine (2019) entitled, “Career Path of the Personal Injury Lawyer – An Overview”
- Co-Chair & Host of the OTLA Cup, a moot Court competition between Ontario Law Schools (2018 – present).
- Chaired Regional Roundtables in Toronto, Ottawa, and London for the Trial Lawyers Association (2018 – present).
- Moderator of Panel Discussion – OTLA Spring Conference (2018) entitled, “When to Settle Your File”
- Speaker for OTLA Webinar (2017) entitled, “Summary Judgment: As Shield and Sword”
- Featured in the Law Times article entitled, “Artificial Intelligence to Impact Personal Injury Law” dated November 27, 2017
- “On the Record” with Mick Hassell Trial Counsel Interview – December 2016: http://trialcounsel.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Michael-Giordano-on-the-record-with-Mick-Hassell.m4a
- Featured in the Law Times article entitled, “Distracted Walking Charges Raise Debate” dated October 17, 2016
- Authored article in The Litigator magazine (2015) entitled, “Relevant Considerations in Product Liability Cases”
- Conference Chair for OTLA NLD Spring Conference (2014) entitled, “Winning Advocacy Skills”
- Sponsor of the Brain Injury Society of Toronto (BIST)
- Regular donor for the Canadian Blood Services
- English
- Conversant Italian
- Enjoying time with his Family
- Recreational / Amateur Boxing
- Riding his Motorcycle
- Camping
- Rugby
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