Tessa has a growing litigation practice with a focus on complex commercial disputes. She has appeared before all levels of court in British Columbia. Tessa is a thoughtful and strategic problem solver who brings a pragmatic approach to her work.

Before joining Poulus Ensom Smith LLP, Tessa practiced complex commercial and antitrust litigation at a top international law firm in New York. She engaged in pro bono appellate work and spent time volunteering with the Innocence Project.

During law school, Tessa worked at Downtown Legal Services in their criminal law division and summered at an international law firm in their Toronto office.

Legal Assistant:
Helen Nicol
hnicol@peslitigation.com
(778) 727-3505

Education

  • Juris Doctor, University of Toronto, 2021
  • Bachelor of Arts, Queens University, 2018

Bar Admission

  • British Columbia, 2023
  • Ontario, 2023
  • New York, 2022
  • 2024 First Year Moot Volunteer Judge, UBC Peter A. Allard School of Law
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association
  • Member, The Advocates’ Society
  • Member, New York State Bar Association
  • Member, Trial Lawyers Association of BC
  • Volunteer Lawyer, Access Pro Bono Society of BC
  • Acted as junior counsel in a successful summary judgement application to dismiss breach of contract, trust and fiduciary duty claims. See here.
  • Successful defence at simplified Small Claims Court trial against a contract claim on behalf of an independent Vancouver university.
  • Assisted in preparing client for a Department of Justice criminal investigation alleging antitrust violations relating to non-poaching agreements.
  • Team member representing a global provider of beauty products in a dispute pending before an international arbitration tribunal concerning the manufacture and import of products during the pandemic.
  • Team member representing one of the largest publicly traded crypto mining companies in the U.S. in their Ch. 11 bankruptcy and related litigation.
  • Junior counsel on First Amendment religious freedom cases for pro bono clients in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh and Fifth Circuits.