Eric Levasseur

Eric B. Levasseur

Partner

200 Public Square
Suite 2800
Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Primary Practices

A Partner in Hahn Loeser’s Litigation Area, Eric B. Levasseur is a commercial litigator and trial attorney who represents clients in business disputes around the country.  A trusted advisor and creative advocate, Eric designs strategies that guide his clients from the pre-litigation planning stage through trial and the highest levels of appeal.  In twenty years in practice, Eric has earned a reputation for cutting to the core of disputes to deliver a successful result, whether inside or outside the courtroom.

In addition to his client representation, Eric serves as the Firm’s General Counsel, entrusted to advise management and lawyers on loss prevention and claims-related matters.

In the Litigation Area, Eric represents companies and individuals in state and federal trial and appellate courts, with extensive mediation and arbitration experience. He represents clients across various industries facing time-sensitive injunctive relief disputes to multiple-week trials. He is experienced in pre-litigation claim strategy and avoidance, complex contract and business disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, business tort and negligence claims, fraud, conspiracy and defamation claims and non-compete and employment agreements. Eric also handles trade secrets, product liability actions, fiduciary and estate litigation, real estate litigation, shareholder and partnership disputes, and judgment execution and recovery. His breadth of experience has contributed to an in-depth knowledge of insurance coverage and recovery disputes.

As a member of the firm’s Construction Team, Eric represents industry clients in construction disputes and AAA arbitrations. Eric has worked with clients at every stage of the construction process, helping them to avoid litigation, minimize and allocate risk and resolve disputes as early as possible.  He has handled defective design, installation and material claims, delay claims, payment/change order disputes and public bid disputes. Well-versed in all aspects of construction litigation and insurance matters, Eric has extensive experience with mechanic’s liens, payment and performance bond claims, and insurance recovery for both public and private projects.

In addition to business disputes, Eric has also represented clients in significant wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury actions.

Eric has also counseled franchisors in more than 40 disputes involving franchise termination, trademark infringement, enforcement of non-competition covenants and defense of vicarious liability claims.

Since starting his practice at Hahn Loeser in 2001, Eric has served  in a variety of leadership roles in the Firm, including as Deputy General Counsel, Chair of the Recruiting Committee and as the Firm’s Director of Legal Personnel Relations.

Eric has received numerous accolades through his career. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and maintains an AV-Preeminent rating through Martindale-Hubbell. He has also been recognized by Chambers USA and Ohio Super Lawyers as a Rising Star. He is actively engaged in the community, serves on the board of numerous non-profit institutions, and volunteers his time as a youth sports coach.

Professional History

  • Partner, Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP, 2011-present; General Counsel, 2023-present; Deputy General Counsel, 2021-22; Director, Legal Personnel Relations, 2016-18; Chair, Recruiting Committee, 2014-15; Associate, 2002-10; Summer Associate, 2001; E-Discovery Committee
  • Summer Associate, Grendell & Simon Co., L.P.A., 2000
  • Arbitrator, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas

Credentials

Education
  • Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D., 2002
    • Honors & Activities: Honors & Activities: Phi Delta Phi; International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award; William H. Wallace Award; William K. Thomas Inns of Court, Student Member; Jonathan M. Ault Mock Trial Team, Vice President; Moot Court Board; Dean Dunmore Distinguished Advocate
  • Colgate University, B.A., Political Science, English Literature, 1999
    • Honors & Activities: Honors & Activities: The Colgate Maroon-News, Editor-in-Chief; Konosioni Senior Honor Society; Beta Theta Pi Alumni Association; Beta Theta Pi, Alumni Association Award; Campus Life Award; The Edward M. Stimets Memorial Award; Phi Eta Sigma
Community Involvement

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation, Board of Directors, 2019-present

 

Cleveland Law Library Association, Board of Directors, 2018-present

 

Cleveland Bridge Builders Class of 2017

 

Cleveland Civic Leadership Institute, 2015

 

Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Law Alumni Association, Board of Directors and Past President; Representative, Law Firm Giving Challenge; Alumni Mentoring Program

 

Colgate Club of Cleveland, Board of Directors and Past President; Alumni Admissions Committee, Chair

 

Colgate on the Cuyahoga, Board of Directors; Student Host Program

 

Supreme Court of Ohio Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentor Program

 

Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Volunteer Lawyers Program

 

Frequent volunteer judge for law school and high school moot court/mock trial competitions

 

Legal Advisor, Rocky River Youth Hockey

 

Active youth sports coach for baseball, basketball, ice hockey and lacrosse

Awards & Distinctions

AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbel

 

Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, 2023-24, Litigation – Real Estate, 2024.

 

Ohio Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation, 2024

 

ChambersUSA, Construction Law, 2012-13

 

Rising Star, Ohio Super Lawyers®, 2011

 

Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, 2015-17

 

Fellow, American Bar Foundation

 

Fellow, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation

 

Certified Advocate, National Institute for Trial Advocacy. Attended NITA National Session, 2012

 

Bar Admissions

State of Ohio, 2002

 

U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth, Ninth and Tenth Circuits; U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, Southern District of Indiana, Eastern District of Michigan and Eastern District of Wisconsin

 

Admitted to practice pro hac vice in numerous federal and state jurisdictions throughout the country

Memberships & Affiliations

American Bar Association, Litigation Section, Construction Litigation, Pretrial Practice & Discovery Committees; Co-Chair, Motion Practice & Discovery Subcommittee, 2014-16; Co-Chair, Newsletter & Publications Subcommittee, 2017; Outstanding Subcommittee Chair, 2015

 

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Judicial Selection Committee; Bar Admissions Committee; Litigation Section, Litigation Section Council; Civil Rules Committee; Bar Foundation President-Elect

 

Lawyers Guild of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland

 

William K. Thomas Inn of Court, Barrister

 

Ohio State Bar Association, Former Member

 

American Association for Justice, Former Member