Robert W. Traves

Associé

Toronto
[email protected]
416.367.6272

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Bob practises civil litigation in the areas of major tort and property damage litigation, commercial insurance litigation, professional negligence claims, insurance coverage disputes and municipal liability. 

Bob's insurance defence practice includes the defence of diverse casualty and property claims, as well as advancing subrogated claims on behalf of insurers.

He is an accredited mediator through the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution. Bob mediates extensively on behalf of his clients and has developed a reputation of negotiating exemplary results in the most difficult and complex claims.

Bob provides strategic advice to major insurers and municipalities relating to claims, as well as drafting of policy provisions where relevant.

He has municipal liability expertise including claims involving:

  • the design and maintenance of roadways
  • building design and inspections
  • liability of taxation and finance departments
  • sewage and drainage system claims
  • police liability claims

Bob has held numerous management positions at BLG including past Manager of the Litigation Department in the firm's Toronto office, former member of BLG's Partnership Board, Chair of BLG's Audit Committee, and Respectful Workplace Taskforce. In addition, he was formerly one of two managing partners of the Toronto office.

Experience

  • Defending diverse casualty and property claims, as well as advancing subrogated claims on behalf of insurers.
  • Handling numerous personal injury claims, including brain injury, spinal cord injury fibromyalgia and chronic pain claims.
  • Serving as long-standing counsel to various municipalities with respect to all types of liability claims, including police liability, roadway design and maintenance, buildings and inspections, finance and taxation, and infrastructure.
  • Serving as lead counsel in trials and interlocutory proceedings before the former District Court, Supreme Court General Division, the present Superior Court of Justice, Divisional Court, Ontario, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.
  • Providing strategic advice to major property and casualty insurers on issues relating to property, casualty and automobile claims.
  • Providing advice in relation to the drafting of various policies offered by major property and casualty insurers.

Beyond Our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Member, Law Society of Ontario
  • Member, Metropolitan Toronto Lawyers Association
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association and Ontario Bar Association
  • Civil Litigation Section Member, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Toronto

Community Involvement

  • Co-founder of the Kyle Brandon Traves Foundation in support of Stomp the Stigma, a suicide prevention initiative

Awards & Recognitions

  • Selected by peers for inclusion in the 2025 edition (and since 2010) of The Best Lawyers in Canada® (Alternative Dispute Resolution, Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation), and recognized as "Toronto Insurance Law Lawyer of the Year" in 2018.
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2013) of The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Litigation — Commercial Insurance; Personal Injury).
  • Recognized in the 2023 edition (and since 2021) of Lexpert Special Edition: Litigation.

Bar Admission & Education

  • Ontario, 1985
  • LLB (cum laude), Université d'Ottawa, 1983