Biglaw, Deaths

Prominent Biglaw Attorney And Family Killed In Fiery Christmas Eve Blaze

Their home had completely collapsed before firefighters arrived.

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Geoffrey Taber, Jacqueline Gardner, and their sons (Photo via Osler)

Geoffrey Taber, Jacqueline Gardner, and their sons (Photo via Osler Hoskin & Harcourt)

This week brings us incredibly sad news out of Canada. A leading technology lawyer from one of the country’s largest business law firms, along with his wife, a corporate lawyer who once worked at the same firm and later became general counsel of one of the country’s largest mutual fund companies, their two sons, and their dogs were all killed in a fire at their Ontario cottage on Christmas Eve.

Geoffrey Taber was the founder of the emerging companies group at Osler Hoskin & Harcourt, one of Bay Street’s “Seven Sisters” firms. His wife, Jacqueline Gardner, practiced corporate law at Osler before transitioning to an in-house role as general counsel of Altamira Investment Services. She later left the practice of law to care for her sons, Scott and Andrew. The entire family was killed when a fire destroyed their 4,000-square-foot vacation home. Osler posted a memoriam on its website yesterday.

According to the Toronto Star, firefighters responded to the blaze at 4 a.m. on Christmas Eve, but by the time they arrived, the structure had already completely collapsed into its basement. Neighbors said that there had been some sort of an explosion at the cottage.

Dale Ponder, Osler’s managing partner and chief executive, released this statement:

Geoff Taber was a generous, vibrant and wonderful person, a legal visionary and beloved partner at Osler. Geoff and Jacquie were first and foremost loving parents to their two remarkable sons.

Geoff was at the forefront of understanding the importance of the technology sector to Canada and was the founder of Osler’s emerging companies group. He advised many of Canada’s emerging and later stage companies as well as venture capital investors.

We here at Above the Law would like to extend our condolences and sympathies to the Tabers’ family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. May they rest in peace.

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Top Canadian Lawyer and Family Killed in Christmas Eve Fire [Am Law Daily]
Toronto family mourned after devastating fire in Peterborough [Toronto Star]

Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is an editor at Above the Law. She’d love to hear from you, so feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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