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Sean Tessarolo

Counsel
About

Sean is an insurance and commercial litigation counsel known for his results-oriented approach, serving as a trusted advisor to both domestic and international insurers, insurance professionals, and businesses.

With a comprehensive insurance practice, Sean adeptly leverages his litigation and analytical skills to protect and advance the interests of his insurance clients across a wide spectrum of subrogation, defence, and coverage matters. His extensive experience encompasses subrogating and defending complex property loss claims, representing professionals in liability disputes, and providing strategic counsel on complicated coverage issues.

For business clients engaged in disputes, Sean offers insightful, tailored advice designed to meet their unique objectives while minimising potential risks. His pragmatic approach ensures that clients are well-equipped to navigate challenging legal issues and achieve results both inside and out of a courtroom.

Sean is a steadfast advocate who consistently delivers results for his clients. He has successfully represented parties in matters before the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the Alberta Court of King’s Bench, the Federal Court of Canada, as well as the British Columbia and Federal Courts of Appeal.

Bar admissions / Professional QualificationsBritish Columbia, 2016

EXPERIENCE

Represented international sulphuric acid vendor in 11 separate lawsuits alleging over 800 vehicles were damaged after travelling through sulphuric acid spills in Trail, BC. In the course of defending that client, Sean was successful in obtaining orders requiring ICBC to store and preserve 519 vehicles at its own expense during the course of the litigation. (The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia v. Teck Metals Ltd., 2020 BCSC 1617)

Represented commercial tenant at trial and appeal in novel case involving the corporate identification doctrine and interpretation of a commercial lease's insurance covenant in the context of arson. (Austeville Properties Ltd. v Josan, 2019 BCCA 416; Austeville Properties Ltd. v Josan, 2016 BCSC 1963)

Represented director and shareholder of a business, and others, at trial against claims for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud. (Roussy v Savage, 2019 BCSC 1669)

Represented trustee in bankruptcy in recovery actions arising from the Rashida Samji Ponzi scheme.

Represented target companies in both contested and unopposed plans of arrangement.

Languages
  • English
Education
  • J.D. (Great Distinction), University of Saskatchewan College of Law, 2015
  • B.A. (Political Science) University of British Columbia, 2010

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  • Best Lawyers® in Canada (Insurance Law), 2024-2025

Publications and media

  • Author, “You’re not criminally responsible, but are you covered under your insurance policy?”, Canadian Insurance Law Reporter (LexisNexis), January 2023, No. 857
  • Author, “Court finds actual harm to property required to constitute ‘direct physical loss or damage’”, The Lawyers Daily, August 5, 2021
  • Author, “B.C. Supreme Court rules in insurance case that timing of an occurrence matters”, The Lawyer's Daily, January 18, 2018

Seminars

  • Insurance Institute of British Columbia, Top Cases in P&C Insurance, 2017 – current 
  • Insurance Institute of British Columbia, Commercial Leases and Insurance, October, 2024

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Canadian Bar Association of British Columbia
  • Law Society of British Columbia

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