Michael Giordano

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.

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. Michael was also the 2017 recipient of the Martin Wunder, Q.C. Outstanding New Lawyer Award. In 2018, he was voted onto OTLA’s Board of Directors.

He is a regular contributor to the OTLA blog and has also written articles for The Litigator.

Optional Benefits Are Now Less “Optional” Than Ever

Simulated Smartphone Alert Graphic: Dangerously Low Coverage

If you didn’t know that your automobile insurance benefits were reduced on June 1st, you are not alone. A recent survey conducted by the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (“IBAO”) revealed that only 42% of consumers had heard about the changes and less than 20% could actually identify what those changes were. All Ontario drivers need to be familiar with these reductions to auto insurance coverage …

Diagnosis Denied: “Systemic Disregard” for Medical Assessments of Injured Workers

In November 2015, the Ontario Federation of Labour (“OFL”) and the Ontario Network of Injured Workers’ Groups released Prescription Over-Ruled, a report criticising how the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) evaluates medical evidence when it processes claims. The OFL is Canada’s largest provincial labour federation and represents roughly one million workers. Their report alleges that the WSIB ignores medical evidence and opinions when it …

New Laws Passed to Improve Road Safety for Pedestrians

2015 saw 38 pedestrians struck and killed on Toronto streets – the most annual fatalities of this kind in the past five years. The most vulnerable pedestrians – young children and the elderly – account for the majority of these deaths, with over 60% being seniors. According to the Chief Coroner’s Report on Pedestrian Deaths in Ontario, children and seniors are the most vulnerable pedestrians for …

Public Safety: City of Toronto to Review Dog Ownership Laws

Canine companionship can be very rewarding. Most people understand, and gladly accept, the commitment and responsibility that come along with owning a dog. This includes the legal obligations that have been previously discussed on the OTLA blog. To recap, the Dog Owners’ Liability Act (the “Act”) imposes strict liability on owners for the actions of their dogs. This means that if the dog is found …

HOV Lanes: Navigating the Pan Am Traffic Jam

Along with the excitement of the Pan Am Games coming to the GTA comes the dread of the effect that an anticipated 250,000 visitors flooding into the city will have on our daily commute. In response to these concerns, the city will implement changes to the road and transit systems which promise to reduce congestion and improve safety. One of the main changes will be …

Auto Insurance: The Hidden Costs of the Provincial Budget

Last month, the Ontario Liberal government revealed its latest budget entitled “Building Ontario Up” but what it does to our auto insurance benefits is actually the opposite by significantly slashing benefits available to accident victims.