senior counsel & founder

Adam M. Vassos

Adam M. Vassos has been practicing law since his call to the Bar in 1989. His areas of practice include Corporate Commercial and Business Law with a significant concentration in Liquor Licence matters. Adam’s clients include Multi-National Companies, National Companies, Business Improvement Associations, Entrepreneurs, Canadian Universities, Privately Owned Companies, Large Food and Beverage Operators and National Sports Organizations.

Adams practice involves assisting clients with various types of business transactions including; business purchases and sales, leasing, shareholders agreements, financing transactions, complex contract and business negotiations, as well as representing clients with respect to Liquor Licence matters including assisting clients with Hearings, Provincial Offence Matters and Municipal Bylaw Matters.

Adam takes pride in having maintained a professional relationship with his clients over many years. “I work hard to achieve the results that my clients expect of me. I take great interest in my clients business and take great pride in the work that I do for them. By obtaining and surpassing their expectations I build strong and loyal relationships with my clients. I find this aspect of my business the most rewarding.”

Adam has been active appearing before Committees regarding Liquor Licence matters. He has submitted papers to the Minister responsible for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario with respect to reforms and modernization to the Liquor Licence Act to deal with such issues as providing licensees the option to expand their existing Liquor Licence to additional areas which were formerly incapable of being licensed, such as washroom and hallways. He has also advocated for the reduction of red tape for Applications and Renewals, licensing tourist areas, and allowing flexibility with respect to menu prices for beverage alcohol and the replacing of suspensions of Liquor Licences with monetary penalties.

Mr. Vassos has also, at the request of the Chair of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, provided formal comment with respect to the proposed Rules of Practice, and subsequently provided input with respect to the implemented Rules of Practice in the Hearing process before the Board of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Mr. Vassos is recognized as one of the innovators in this very interesting and constantly changing area of Law and is looked upon by his peers and clients alike as one of the leading authorities in the Liquor Licence Matters.

Mr. Vassos has appeared on the CTV National Television Program W5 to provide comment and input with respect to the Liquor Licence Act. He has written for the Smart Serve Newsletter and has lectured on various topics relating to the Liquor Licence Act including risk based enforcement.

Mr. Vassos’ experience combined with the development of strong ties and his work with regulatory bodies, law enforcement agencies, municipal agencies and expert witnesses allows him to provide his clients with the benefit of knowledgeable advice in a time efficient manner.

Mr. Vassos is also an active participant in community affairs, in particular with respect to working with children’s charities and fund raising events.

Education

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
B.A (with Distinction), 1984

UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN LAW
LL.B., 1987

Bar Admissions

• Ontario Bar, 1989

Special counsel

Richard E. Kulis

Richard E. Kulis, retired from Private Practice, is now Special Counsel with Vassos Law LLP. Richard provides consulting and advice to Vassos Law LLP in the areas of Liquor Licence, Gaming and Administrative Law.

Richard was the former Deputy Director of Legal Services at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and Senior Counsel of the former Liquor Licence Board of Ontario (LLBO). Richard brings over 30 years of advocacy and experience at the Trial, Tribunal and Appeal level to the firm. Richard has also spent a considerable amount of time in policy development with both of his previous positions and brings to the firm this unique experience and skill set. As former Deputy Director of Legal Services at the AGCO, Richard has conducted hundreds of Hearings and appeals on behalf of the AGCO.

Richard has written extensively in the area of Liquor Licence Law in Ontario, including, “The Public Interest and Liquor Licenses in Ontario” for the “Contemporary Drug Problems” Symposium published in 1998 by Federal Legal Publications, Inc.

During his years practicing with the AGCO and LLBO, Richard was regularly a guest lecturer instructing on Liquor Licensing matters before the Peel Regional Police Services, the Durham Regional Police Services, at the Toronto Police College and the Law Society of Upper Canada. Richard has also lectured at local community and public health symposiums. Richard has participated in numerous committees across the Province dealing with the interaction between Liquor Licence holders, community associations, police services and municipal authorities.

Richard has been involved in developing the modernization of Liquor Laws in Ontario through policy development, consultation with all levels and forms of stakeholders, advice to Provincial and Municipal Government officials, and drafting of Liquor Laws in Ontario. He has acted as a primary resource for the interpretation of Liquor Licensing Laws in Ontario and across Canada.

Richard is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable and experienced Liquor Licence and Gaming Lawyers in Ontario.

Richard’s knowledge and 30 years of experience will be utilized in providing Vassos Law LLP with legal advice and consulting in the areas of Liquor Licence and Gaming Law.

Education

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
B.A, 1976 / Bachelor of Education, 1977                            

UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN
Masters of Arts, 1978

QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY
Law Degree, 1981

Bar Admissions

• Ontario Bar, 1983

SENIOR COUNSEL

Effie J. Triantafilopoulos

Effie practices in corporate and business law and has significant experience in international trade, immigration and government and public policy.

• She assists our clients working in international markets and advises them on contracts, joint venture agreements and licensing agreements

• She advocates on our clients’ behalf and helps them navigate through complex government regulations, legislative changes and red tape

• She assists individuals, families, students, foreign workers and investors who wish to work, invest and/or immigrate to Canada

Effie brings a wealth of experience and accomplishments in government and public policy, the private sector and the not-for-profit sector to her legal practice. She is committed to the highest standards of service and integrity.

Effie has held key roles with the federal government, and currently serves as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health. She has served as Chief of Staff to Ministers at the Departments of Industry, Treasury Board and External Affairs and International Trade during the implementation of the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. She also served as the Deputy Director and Senior Advisor G20 Liaison for the Summits Management Office of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada for the G20 Summit in 2010. She is also a past Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Canada, and past Executive Director of the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association. She has also served as a Director of many business and not-for-profit organizations including the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the Canada – U.S. Business Association, Ontario Exports Inc., Forum for International Training, Save the Children Canada, Accessible Media Inc., the Empire Club of Canada, the Toronto 2008 Olympic Bid Committee and the National Arts Centre. She is a Director of the Hellenic Heritage Foundation (a past Chair), on the Advisory Board of the Next Generation Initiative HelleNext and a member of the International Women’s Forum.

Effie is a long time resident of the GTA and a core value is her community involvement. She understands not-for-profit organizations and the challenges they face in their day to day operations. She is committed to providing our business clients with practical legal advice to help them make sound business decisions and to achieve their desired business goals.

Education

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Bachelor of Law                              

OSGOODE HALL, YORK UNIVERSITY
Master of Laws, International Trade and Competition Law

YORK UNIVERSITY/ SCHULICH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Schulich Executive Program / Osgoode Hall Law School

Bar Admissions

• Ontario Bar

Education

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
B.A. (with distinction), 2013

UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR
Juris Doctor Degree, 2016

Bar Admissions

• Ontario Bar, 2017

Special COUNSEL

Phillip Morris

Phillip Morris, retired from Private Practice, is now Special Counsel with Vassos Law LLP. Phillip provides consulting and advice to Vassos Law LLP in the areas of Liquor Licence, Gaming, and Administrative Law, with a special interest in advocacy and litigation.

Phillip was formerly Senior Counsel in the Legal Services Division of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and Board counsel with its predecessor the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario (LLBO). Phillip has over 30 years of experience appearing before administrative tribunals and on appeal to the courts. He has represented the AGCO/LLBO in more than a thousand hearings and dozens of appeals and has acted as a provincial prosecutor in gaming matters.

Phillip specialized in hearings where licensees faced revocation of their licences or lengthy suspensions. These included over service of alcohol resulting in death and serious injury, drunkenness and disorderly conduct, overcrowding, sale of illegal drugs, service to minors, sale of illegal liquor, purchasing stolen goods, and failure to remit retail sales tax. Phillip also specialized in liquor licence application reviews for public interest objections, and liquor licence application investigations and refusals for past conduct. Phillip gave advice to licensing and enforcement personnel in the conduct of their duties. Phillip acted as mentor to junior lawyers and articling students. Phillip has liaised with numerous police forces, government ministries and municipal staff and council members. Prior to the AGCO/LLBO, Phillip appeared before tribunals in the energy, waste management and municipal areas and taught sociology at the university and college level. Phillip also served as a Law Clerk to the High Court of Justice of the Supreme Court of Ontario.

Phillip’s 30 years of knowledge and experience in liquor and gaming law will be utilized in advising and assisting Vassos Law’s clients.