Department profile
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Construction

Canada Guide 2026 : Nationwide - Canada

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Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

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About

Provided by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Canadian, U.S. and international clients regularly turn to the lawyers in Osler’s National Construction and Infrastructure Group for expert advice throughout the life cycle of their construction projects, whether they are large and complex projects or smaller projects where successful execution is critical. In addition to leveraging Osler’s significant experience in the optimal structuring and effective completion of these projects, clients benefit from the innovative way the group is organized.

Osler’s construction lawyers are divided into two groups: solicitors who focus on the negotiation and preparation of all of the documents related to a specific project and litigators who specialize in dispute resolution in the construction industry and are available to lend their expertise in the event that unexpected issues develop on a project. These specialized lawyers work together as an integrated team that ensures that clients’ needs are met from the launch of a construction project until its conclusion. Osler’s team of lawyers is very active in the construction industry in Canada and closely monitors evolving trends and legislative changes that may affect clients. Osler’s professionals are members of the Construction & Infrastructure Section of the Ontario Bar Association, the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law, Professional Engineers Ontario and the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Construction - Nationwide - Canada

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt is a highly regarded law firm that is recommended for its extensive capabilities in front-end construction issues across Canada, particularly in the energy, transportation and social infrastructure arenas. Its construction and engineering practice offers further expertise in the construction of agriculture and manufacturing facilities. The team regularly acts for authorities, owners, contractors and subcontractors involved in the construction of key projects. It is also sought after for advice on construction disputes, including arbitration proceedings. Clients benefit from the group's expertise and hands-on experience of lawyers also qualified as professional engineers.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP advised Infrastructure Ontario on contracts for design and construction projects across the province.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Oslers are very knowledgeable about industry trends and standards and provide pragmatic and commercial advice.

    Construction respondentCanada

  • Osler have deep expertise in construction and procurement projects. They have the bench strength and diverse client base needed to advise on complex matters.

    Construction respondentCanada

  • The Osler team are able to help me complete the contracts and resolve in an expeditious and efficient manner the dispute matters that arise.

    Construction respondentCanada

  • They are a huge team that can respond to big projects in a timely way.

    Construction respondentCanada

  • Their legal acumen, commercial sense and responsiveness stands out.

    Construction respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Richard G C Wong
    Richard G C Wong

    Richard G C Wong

    Richard Wong of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt is a regular feature on construction projects in Toronto and is frequently mandated on front-end matters such as contract drafting and negotiations, risk allocation and project structuring. He has significant expertise in relation to power and renewable energy developments, as well as nuclear waste projects.

    • There was one time I had to ping them at an unusual time and Richard was able to talk to me, even though he was on vacation.

      Construction respondentCanada

    • Richard is an exceptional lawyer. He is brilliant, insightful, pragmatic, unflappable and a nice guy to boot. He tackles very complex problems and comes up with palatable solutions for all parties.

      Construction respondentCanada

    • Richard is always very analytical and able to provide high quality work relative to development of agreements. He also speaks five languages, which comes in very handy in international law.

      Construction respondentCanada
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  • Rocco Sebastiano
    Rocco Sebastiano

    Rocco Sebastiano

    Rocco Sebastiano is highly regarded for his expertise in construction and is further renowned for his astute handling of technical matters relating to the construction of power projects. Based in the firm's Toronto office, he is particularly well reputed for his handling of contractual processes.

    • Rocco is outstanding.

      Construction respondentCanada
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  • Paul Ivanoff
    Paul Ivanoff

    Paul Ivanoff

    Paul Ivanoff possesses experience assisting with contentious as well as non-contentious matters in the construction sector. He is also well placed to advise public authorities on construction mandates. He is based in Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt's Toronto office.

    • Paul exhibits very strong client skills and gives prompt attention to the issues at hand. He does not complicate the matters and gives strong advice on how to best resolve them.

      Construction respondentCanada

    • He is very practical and measured.

      Construction respondentCanada

    • Paul is very experienced, an expert in construction law and disputes, practical about avoiding litigation and is highly responsive. He is a pleasure to work with.

      Construction respondentCanada
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  • Joel Heard
    Joel Heard

    Joel Heard

    Toronto-based partner Joel Heard of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt has extensive experience in the construction space. He is routinely called upon to provide counsel on issues relating to large-scale development projects, including negotiations regarding design-build contracts and team arrangements in the energy and public infrastructure projects.

    • Joel is an excellent lawyer.

      Construction respondentCanada
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  • Paula Olexiuk
    Paula Olexiuk

    Paula Olexiuk

    Paula Olexiuk is the co-chair of the national construction and infrastructure practice and is based in Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt's Calgary office. She has considerable strength in matters arising from energy and renewable energy projects, such as contract negotiations.

    • Paula is excellent, responsive and very experienced in the construction industry. She gives sound, practical advice and is very business-oriented.

      Construction respondentCanada
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  • Roger Gillott
    Roger Gillott

    Roger Gillott

    Toronto-based litigator Roger Gillott of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt exercises his abilities in disputes before all levels of court in the construction space, representing a range of municipal and private clients.

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  • Ethan McCarthy
    Ethan McCarthy

    Ethan McCarthy

    Toronto-based Ethan McCarthy of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt is noted for his ability to advise clients, particularly public authorities, on a range of matters stemming from commercial and industrial development projects. He has notable experience handling contract negotiations and delay claims arising from complex projects.

    • Ethan McCarthy is an excellent technical lawyer and is always responsive in a very efficient manner.

      Construction respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP (7)

Nationwide - Canada

Members

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