200 Public Square
Suite 2800
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Home Professionals Eric Levasseur
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.
Lead defense trial counsel in state court jury trial defending entertainment industry client against civil theft and related claims. Following multiple-week trial, matter successfully settled during jury deliberations
Lead trial counsel in multiple-day federal court bench trial in dispute alleging fraudulent transfer of assets and related claims. Successfully obtained judgment on complex fraudulent transfer claims
Longstanding representation of premier Cleveland non-profit institution in high-profile land use dispute involving numerous stakeholders. Successfully obtained summary judgment in trial court. Lead counsel responsible for subsequent briefing and oral argument before both intermediate appellate court and Supreme Court of Ohio
Defended a national franchisor of children’s entertainment facilities in high-stakes, catastrophic personal injury action alleging damages in excess of $30 million and involving over 50 defendants. Matter successfully resolved prior to trial
Lead trial counsel in federal action on behalf of a client alleging claims against competitor and former employees for breach of fiduciary duty and other business torts. Achieved favorable verdict and damage award, which was subsequently affirmed on appeal
Defended national title and escrow company in a series of related actions stemming from the provision of escrow services for a $650 million condominium project in Maui, Hawaii, and seeking damages in excess of $23 million. Obtained dismissal of certain actions and resolved others prior to trial
Defended national title and escrow company in a series of complex, consolidated actions related to a $30 million condominium infrastructure project, and seeking damages in excess of $6 million. Matter successfully resolved prior to trial
Defended national title and escrow company against escrow liability claims. Achieved favorable early dismissal and briefed/argued subsequent related appellate proceedings in Ninth Circuit and Hawaii Supreme Court, affirming dismissal
Represented former director and chief executive officer of publicly traded corporation in action alleging claims by and against former employer, including shareholder derivative claims. Matter resolved prior to trial including complete resolution of executive compensation matters
Represented an estate and related investment entities in multi-forum litigation alleging securities fraud and non-registration claims in connection with investments in certain oil and gas securities. Following nearly two-week federal jury trial, achieved multi-million judgment, and successfully defended on appeal to 6th Circuit
Defended global agribusiness in defense of trade secret misappropriation and related tort claims. Matter successfully resolved prior to trial
Represented trustees and estate beneficiaries in wide range of trust, estate and will contest actions
Represented group of private investors in dispute related to oil and gas securities. Achieved complete return of equity investment on behalf of investors
Represented a Fortune 100 company in a number of jurisdictions across the Midwest and East Coast in numerous construction-related disputes in both litigation and arbitration
Served as counsel to design-build contractor in dispute relating to state-of-the-art cellulosic ethanol pretreatment facility. Following two-and-a-half week arbitration hearing, obtained award in excess of $7.5 Million
Served as counsel to nation’s largest producer of ethanol and other biorefined products in multimillion-dollar dispute relating to a $60 million contract for the design and construction of a material-handling system for a solid waste fuel boiler
Represented a leading Northeast Ohio manufacturing company in a dispute regarding installation and warranty of a synthetic roofing system for a large portion of its Texas distribution facility. Claims successfully resolved prior to commencement of litigation
Served as trial counsel to a national residential developer in a dispute concerning concrete placement in a series of driveways in high-end development. Successfully defended contractor’s claims and obtained verdict for full amount of counterclaim
Represented a national design/build contractor in a dispute relating to design and installation of terrazzo flooring for 60,000-square-foot federal government medical facility. Matter successfully resolved prior to trial
Lead arbitration counsel on behalf of national design/build contractor in significant change order dispute
Longstanding representation of national material supplier enforcing payment rights and resolving disputes related to dozens of private and commercial projects
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
AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbel
Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, 2023-24, Litigation – Real Estate, 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
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
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