Hovsep Afarian
Lax O'Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb LLPThe insurance practice at dispute resolution boutique Lax O'Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb LLP scores highly for its ‘good practical experience and strategic acumen’. The group specializes in representing policyholders in complex insurance coverage disputes, including cases in the cyber, E&O, D&O, life insurance and environmental liability spheres. Department head Hovsep Afarian is an ’exceptional insurance practitioner’ and a go-to insurance litigator.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘We were fortunate enough to deal with a first-rate team that was extremely focused on performance and results. Hovsep Afarian was always available and functioned as not just a service provider but as a business partner. Provided excellent advice and achieved an excellent result.’
‘My experience is limited to dealing with Hovsep Afarian, whom I find to be an excellent resource and strategic thinker in terms of providing insurance coverage expertise and pragmatic solutions in helping to resolve disputes.’
‘This is a lean, nimble litigation practice with good practical experience and strategic acumen. The firm has added a capability to handle complex insurance matters on behalf of policyholders, which sets it apart from its peers.’
‘Hovsep Afarian is a thoughtful, highly proficient insurance coverage lawyer. He is quite erudite in the subject area, and a strategic thinker. Shaun Laubman is a savvy, experienced trial lawyer, whose excellent judgment and persuasive advocacy have served our shared client extremely well.’
‘Hovsep Afarian is a true asset to the team. He is an exceptional insurance practitioner and a strong leader in the field.’
‘It provided excellent insured-side coverage counsel. Hovsep Afarian’s expertise as a research lawyer, and in litigation, makes him uniquely suited to tackling the uncertainties of coverage law. He is both mindful of the details and sees the big picture.’
‘Hovsep Afarian is the best in the business in this field. He knows the jurisprudence better than anyone in Canada, and reads insurance contracts with precision, which is exactly what is required. He also understands the economic implications of the policies, and the wider context. A superstar.’
Key clients
- Nordik Windows, Real Food for Real Kids, and Hangar 9
- Southbridge entities that are part of the Southbridge Care Homes family of companies
- Vale entities, including Vale Canada
- Arlanxeo Canada and related Arlanxeo entities
- Dr Mazen Dagher; Dr M Dagher Professional Corporation
- Ivanhoe Cambridge & Hines
- Spectra Aluminum Products and Spectra Hi-Tech Anodizing
Work highlights
- Acting on a C$500m national class action on behalf of class members who were insured for business interruption coverage with Aviva but were denied coverage.
- Representing senior living homes against various insurers for potential liability arising from Covid-19 outbreaks.
- Acting for Vale Canada in a multi-party insurance coverage recovery claim against historic insurers arising from decades-long environmental pollution.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Hovsep Afarian