A destination practice for construction law in Canada, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is a first port of call for the full range of stakeholders on construction projects, including sponsors, governmental entities, developers, lenders and equity investors. The sizeable group demonstrates adept handling of projects across all key industry sectors, with its recent work spanning a mix of transport, healthcare, energy and social infrastructure projects. It additionally stands out for its ability to support clients across the full chain of project matters, from planning and engineering issues, through to high-stakes construction disputes, including arbitrations. Calgary-based department head Patricia Morrison KC specializes in advising project owners, developers, contractors — and other parties — on managing their risks, from project initiation through to finish. In Toronto, senior counsel Richard Shaban is widely regarded as a market leader; his practice combines strength in construction, surety and procurement law. In Montreal, Simon Grégoire is recommended for complex construction litigation, while Michael Skene is noted for construction disputes in Vancouver. The group also draws on up-and-coming construction litigator Rodney Smith (Calgary) and Gabriel Lefebvre (Montreal), who has a focus on contractor claims.

Acclaimed by some as ‘the best construction team in the market’, Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP’s dedicated focus on construction and infrastructure law is reflected in its full-spectrum service offering, which spans project development, commercial real estate, dispute resolution and insurance, among other areas. From platforms in Toronto and Vancouver, the boutique is active throughout Canada on large-scale infrastructure, industrial and commercial projects, where it is a popular choice to handle both owner and contractor-side work. In Toronto, co-managing partner Bruce Reynolds is a pre-eminent construction expert; he is representing Aviva Insurance Company of Canada in relation to the C$2bn receivership of ‘The One’ condominium project. Vancouver is the seat of high-profile counsel John Singleton KC, who is a seasoned veteran in PPPs and major infrastructure projects. Rounding out the name partners is ‘unparalleled communicator’  Sharon Vogel in Toronto, who handled a slew of high-stakes construction disputes during 2023/24. Other senior contacts include Stuart Hankinson KC (Vancouver), who focuses on construction, commercial and insurance disputes; and Seema Lal (Vancouver), whose practice spans construction contracts, procurement and contentious issues. A deep bench of up-and-coming partners includes Jesse Gardner, James Little and Catherine Gleason-Mercier, all of whom work in the Toronto office.

On the non-contentious side, Dentons’ construction group is well versed in procurement, contract drafting and negotiation, contract administration and disputes avoidance. The practice additionally houses a robust contentious offering, which is equipped to handled both judicial and arbitral disputes. In Vancouver, Karen Martin KC is a go-to construction litigator; she is currently acting alongside Edmonton-based construction disputes partner, Dennis Picco KC, to represent Acciona in litigation against the Greater Vancouver Sewerage & Drainage District concerning a contract for a wastewater treatment plant. Vancouver-based Jana Mansour is recommended for non-contentious work, including procurement, financing and construction matters — he co-heads the department alongside Martin. Additionally, Pierre Grenier is a key contact in Montreal, while Karen Groulx is noted in Toronto. Edmonton-based senior associate Robert Gilroy provides dedicated practice support.

Fielding a ‘dedicated team of brilliant construction lawyers’, Goodmans LLP’s stands out for its strong showings across the full life cycle of construction matters, including procurement, construction contract negotiation and dispute resolution. The group’s diverse client roster encompasses project owners, developers, lenders and construction managers, among others, while its sector strengths include transport, healthcare, energy and social infrastructure projects. Department head Howard Wise is commended as ‘one of the top lawyers in the construction field’; he recently represented Walsh Construction Company Canada in its successful claim against the Toronto Transit Commission. The Toronto-based team also includes construction litigator Joseph Cosentino; Brad Halfin, who ‘goes the extra mile to develop a case’; and talented associate Jill Snelgrove, who focuses on construction disputes, including mediations.

Fielding one of the largest construction groups in the country, Gowling WLG’s generous national platform ensures that it can draw on sector specialists from across its seven Canadian offices. The practice is well weighted between front-end and back-end work, where it acts for an impressive roster of leading domestic and multinational construction companies, governmental authorities and private-sector owners, among other clients. Toronto-based Ted Betts spearheads the department and specializes in non-contentious construction, with an emphasis on the infrastructure and energy spheres; he is representing McMaster Innovation Park on the development of a C$1bn research facility. Names to note on the contentious side include Brian Kapusianyk (Calgary), next-generation partner Sahil Shoor (Kitchener) and associate Tristan Neill (Kitchener).

Utilizing its dominant oil and gas and mining practices, Bennett Jones LLP is uniquely positioned to handle construction work in the energy and natural resources fields — its recent mandates additionally span transport, real estate and social infrastructure. Chiefly sought after by project owners (both private clients and public authorities), the team is equipped to support on a wide scope of transactional and contentious matters. Calgary-based Jason Roth steers the construction law group and specializes in non-contentious work, with an emphasis on procurement, project development and supply chain issues. Geoffrey Stenger, who splits his time between Calgary and Toronto, heads the capital projects area and primarily acts for owners and contractors on commercial matters. Calgary’s Brian Reid is a key contact for construction disputes, with a focus on energy-related cases.

McCarthy Tétrault possesses an increasingly prominent construction offering that leverages the wider firm’s strong skill sets in dispute resolution, and projects and infrastructure. Routinely involved in mandates across Canada and beyond, it acts for owners, developers, lenders, contractors and architects on projects using all types of project delivery structures, including progressive models. Toronto-based Scott Chalmers leads the national construction practice and specializes in transactional construction work. Key contacts on the contentious side include Bryan West (Calgary), Julie Parla (Toronto) and Aidan Cameron (Vancouver), who lead the project and disputes groups in their respective provinces. The group was recently boosted in Toronto by the hire of Bruce Karn, who joined as partner from Ellis Don; he contributes extensive experience in construction disputes and transactional work.

According to satisfied clients, lawyers in Norton Rose Fulbright’s construction group ‘pool their expertise to provide comprehensive and well-rounded solutions’. During 2023/24, the team was particularly active on behalf of utilities and local authorities, with its work spanning all stages of a construction project, from procurement and strategy development through to contract negotiation and dispute resolution. Montreal-based department head Claudia Déry is highly regarded for her broad transactional and contentious construction expertise; she contributes extensive experience in representing all project stakeholders, including owners, developers and investors. The sizeable national practice also draws on construction litigator Ian Gosselin in Quebec City, and the ‘responsive and attentive’ Beth Allard, Jenya Hammond (who has a focus on non-contentious matters) and talented associates Jason Buttuls and Ryan Griffith, all of whom are based in Vancouver. Horia Bundaru departed the firm in September 2024, having been appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Montreal.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP houses a robust construction litigation practice, which frequently acts in tandem with the firm’s dominant procurement, infrastructure, and oil and gas teams to advise on complex construction work. Equipped to handle both judicial and arbitral disputes, the group counts project owners, developers, engineers, architects and insurers among its key clients. Corporate and commercial litigator David Tupper fronts the team from Calgary. Litigators Laura Cundari (Vancouver), Matthew Liben (Montreal) and Alyssa Duke (Calgary) also handle a significant volume of construction cases.

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP’s construction group is oriented towards owner-side mandates, but it also acts for contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and lenders, among others. The team strikes a balance between transactional and contentious work, with a focus on the transport, healthcare, education and natural resources industries. Litigator Matthew Alter (Toronto) contributes experience in all aspects of construction and procurement law and co-heads the department alongside Mark St. Cyr (Toronto), who also handles the gamut of procurement, development and dispute resolution matters. Associate Stephanie Garraway (Toronto) provides dedicated practice support.

Clyde & Co LLP’s Canadian construction group maintains a large national platform that draws on over 100 lawyers across offices in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. The team is distinguished by its expertise in large-scale — and often multi-jurisidictional — construction disputes, while it also houses a transactional offering. In Montreal, firm senior partner Carolena Gordon possesses broad experience in representing insurers, construction clients and engineers, among others, in complex claims. In Vancouver, projects and construction co-chair, Don Smith, is recommended. Key names in Calgary include office managing partner Alexis Moulton and Don Dear KC, who is recognized for his expertise in energy-related matters.

Fasken stands out for its thriving contentious construction practice, which represents owners, developers, architects and engineers, among others, in the full range of judicial and arbitral proceedings, including insurance claims and engineering or architectural defects. The group also combines with its infrastructure, mining and energy teams to handle project development work. Vancouver-based David Curtis specializes exclusively in construction disputes and co-heads the national practice together with Montreal-based litigator Annie Bernard and Toronto’s Edward Lynde, whose experience encompasses procurement, development and dispute resolution. Litigators Brook Greenberg KC in Vancouver and Arif Chowdhury in Calgary are also of note.

Stikeman Elliott LLP’s interdisciplinary construction practice leans on the firm’s real estate, zoning, insurance and project finance teams, among others, to provide full-service support on complex projects. The group’s client base is equally comprehensive and it is routinely engaged by all key private and public-sector stakeholders, including lenders, owners, contractors, investors and insurers. Toronto-based Neil Shapiro is an increasingly prominent construction specialist with experience in procurement, construction contracts and project and dispute management. Shapiro co-heads the department together with Calgary-based litigator Michael Mestinsek and projects and infrastructure partner Jamie Templeton. Montreal-based Pierre-Paul Daunais is also noted for construction disputes.