Marcia Oliver recently co-chaired the Ontario Bar Association’s Institute 2018 which ran in Toronto during the week of February 6th. There were over 30 Continuing Professional Development programs being run concurrently through the week for lawyers to learn and sharpen their skills. At the firm we are proud of Marcia’s commitment to supporting our community of fellow lawyers through her participation in this important educational institute.

Marcia was also be a guest speaker in the Construction & Infrastructure Section – “Advanced Issues for Handling Construction Claims”. This is an area where, by experience she has become a subject matter expert, handling construction claims for large general contractors. Her particular topic during this Section of the Institute was “Non-Lien Construction Project Payment Remedies”.

A team from Advocates attended and participated in the Technology in Practice 2017 Conference hosted by Commonwealth Legal, A Division of Ricoh Canada, that took place in Toronto in early November.

Managing Partner Jim LeBer joined a panel discussing how small firms like Advocates are using technology to “Even the Playing Field”. Jim was quoted in Canadian Lawyer Magazine’s article based on the panel discussion that day. Read the article here.

We are pleased to announce that Jeff Van Bakel has joined Advocates LLP. Jeff is an experienced commercial litigator who has spent 10 years working in a larger Toronto firm, in a variety of practice areas including construction, commercial and insurance defence work. Jeff and his family had decided to relocate to London where the pull of their family connections had always remained strong.

We were delighted to have had this great opportunity to add Jeff to our strong and experienced team.  We look forward to introducing Jeff to you as the Advocates’ team continues to grow, supporting our clients with their ongoing needs in complex commercial disputes throughout Ontario.

Advocates LLP is so pleased to announce that Marcia J. Oliver, one of the firm’s partners is being inducted into the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers this weekend at the Annual Meeting of the College in Quebec City. This honour is extended only by invitation of the members of the College, and is solely based on peer recognition of Marcia’s outstanding skills and well earned reputation as a lawyer working exclusively in the Construction Industry. (more…)

We are pleased to announce that Eric Grigg has joined Advocates LLP as a seasoned associate lawyer.

Before joining Advocates LLP, Eric articled and practiced in the London office of a national business law firm.

Eric’s litigation practice incorporates a wide range of commercial matters, with an emphasis on construction litigation, business disputes, the defence of professional negligence claims, and bankruptcy and insolvency matters.

Aon Risk Solutions Construction Lien Act Review Process

Aon, in partnership with the London and District Construction Association (LDCA), was pleased to sponsor a breakfast meeting for its construction clients and LDCA members on November 25, 2015. This meeting was held to discuss Ontario’s Construction Lien Act review process that is currently underway.

The informative and lively session was facilitated by a panel of leading construction law lawyers, including Geza Banfai of McMillan LLP, Brendan Bowles of Glaholt LLP, and Marcia Oliver of Advocates LLP. All panel members are certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as specialists in construction law and recognized by Best Lawyers Canada and Lexpert as leaders in the area of construction law. Aon is grateful to Geza, Brendan, and Marcia for donating their time and expertise.

Those in attendance echoed the construction industry’s frequently voiced concerns; in particular, how the construction industry is significantly impacted by the late/non-payment of accounts and how the window in which to exercise lien rights is too short. In conclusion, Aon heard that the Construction Lien Act is no longer responsive to the industry’s needs and the Construction Lien Act review is long overdue.

First introduced in 1983, and having not been amended in any material way since that time, the Construction Lien Act (Ontario), is desperately in need of an overhaul. In February 2015, in response to the construction industry’s increasing concerns, including significant pressure from some sectors for the introduction of prompt payment legislation, the Ontario Government commissioned a review of the Construction Lien Act. Since that time, the review, led by lawyer Bruce Reynolds of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, has been receiving submissions and meeting with stakeholders. In addition, Mr. Reynolds has been in consultation with an expert advisory group, who provide subject-matter expertise in respect to legal issues. On March 31, 2016, Mr. Reynolds is expected to deliver a comprehensive report on the review process along with his legal opinion. It is expected that the report will be made public very soon after it has been submitted to the attorney general and minister of economic development, employment, and infrastructure. The construction industry is anxiously waiting for the results from this report.

Further information regarding the Construction Lien Act review can be found on the following website: http://www.constructionlienactreview.com.

Marcia Oliver will be at the Ontario Bar Association Young Lawyer Division (Southwest) Mentor Round Table Discussion and Beer Tasting event to be held at Toboggan Brewery in London, Ontario.

For more information or to register see the OBA page here.

Marcia Oliver will be at the Law Society of Upper Canada’s “Practice Gems: Construction Lien Essentials 2016” to be held in Toronto, Ontario on March 9, 2016.

For more information or to register see the LSUC page.

Jim LeBer will be leading another Advocates full day workshop for the ORBA Road Builder Academy in Ottawa speaking again about all aspects of advancing and pursuing disputed claims for compensation under the MTO contract documents with the new Referee provisions.

The team of Jim LeBer, David Swift, Angelo D’Ascanio and Kyle MacLean will be leading a full day workshop in Toronto for the Ontario Road Builders Association Road Builder Academy speaking about all aspects of identifying, notifying, preparing and presenting claims under the MTO contract documents, and addressing the impact of the recently developed 2016 amendments utilizing a Referee process.