Industry

Construction and Engineering

Osler’s expertise in construction and engineering means we can assist clients with every stage of their projects.

The construction and engineering industries function as close barometers of the general health of the Canadian economy and while the outlook for the sector remains positive, owners, developers, contractors and consultants face continuing pressures to manage project risks, explore new ways to collaborate across public- and private-sector partnerships, effectively administer contracts, procure and deliver projects on time and on budget and efficiently manage construction disputes that may arise, including through negotiation, adjudication, mediation, arbitration or litigation.

With those kinds of complexities, having the guidance of informed and experienced legal counsel is a key foundational component to any construction or engineering project.

How we can help

For decades, Canada’s top construction and engineering businesses have turned to Osler for smart, industry-focused legal advice on all aspects of their business. Our National Construction and Infrastructure Group provides valuable insight and business acumen in the following areas:

  • project structuring
  • risk identification and allocation
  • procurement documents and bid disputes
  • construction financing
  • contract negotiation
  • contract administration, including best practices in prompt payment compliance, force majeure, duties of good faith and honesty
  • claims management, including construction insurance or bond claims
  • dispute resolution, including adjudication and other alternative dispute mechanisms

Our integrated team of legal professionals has a clear and practical understanding of all types of project delivery structures, documentation and the key commercial and legal project drivers, enabling us to deliver pragmatic and innovative solutions and provide commercially sound advice and dispute management. Clients can access our sophisticated group of construction litigators who work as a cohesive unit alongside our front-end construction team on project finance, public-private partnerships (P3) developments and more, which provides a unique level of insight into the dispute resolution process.

We closely watch rising trends and innovations reshaping the industry and the opportunities they provide. These include smart infrastructure, such as sustainable and intelligent buildings powered by AI, digital innovation and operational processes and methods, from robots and connected job sites to augmented and virtual reality during the project planning stage.

Key Contacts

Paul Ivanoff

Partner, Disputes, Toronto

Paula Olexiuk

Partner, Energy and Construction, Calgary

Richard Wong

Partner, Commercial, Toronto, Montréal


Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Construction Law (Band 1)
    • " The lawyers are very skilled, and they know our business very well. They ask the right questions. I can’t think of anything that needs to be improved upon.” – Chambers Canada, Osler Client
  • The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Recognized in Construction Law (Toronto, Ontario)