Bio
Brendan Bowles is devoted to providing first rate client service and advice. Since joining the firm in 1998 he has specialized in the practice of construction law. He is fortunate to be supported at Glaholt Bowles by a team of outstanding support staff, students, associates and partners, all of whom share his dedication to client service and excellence in the practice of construction law.
Brendan has experience as team leader in all manner of construction related disputes and contract issues. Construction and infrastructure projects are technically complex, document heavy and relationship driven. Resolving disputes and solving problems requires specialized knowledge of the law and a team who is prepared to understand and prioritize the client’s business concerns and strive for strategic solutions to legal challenges. Brendan is prepared to “go the distance” when necessary, but the team at Glaholt Bowles will always challenge themselves to find creative, proportionate resolutions that allow their clients to get back to business.
Brendan’s expertise and high standards of practice have been recognized by his peers; he is rated as “Most Frequently Recommended” in construction law by Lexpert, and is also the 2021 recipient of the Ontario Bar Association’s Award for Excellence in Construction and Infrastructure Law. He is also certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Construction Law. In 2004 he was designated as an Associate in Canadian Surety Bonding by the Surety Association of Canada. From 2002 to 2017 he volunteered on the Executive for the Construction and Infrastructure Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association, serving as Chair of the Section in 2015–2016. Brendan was formerly a lecturer in construction law at Ryerson University and George Brown College and has also served as a guest lecturer at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law. Presently, he is Vice-Chair of The Advocates’ Society Arbitration and Mediation Practice Group, and editor of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers' Legal Update newsletter.
Outside of the office, Brendan is a volunteer youth hockey coach and has also completed marathons, including the Toronto Marathon and Marine Corps Marathon.
Memberships
- OBA Construction and Infrastructure Law Section
Past Chair - The Surety Association of Canada
- ADR Institute of Ontario
- The Cambridge Club
- Canadian College of Construction Lawyers
- Vice-Chair for the 2022-2023 Arbitration & Mediation Advocacy Practice Group
Teaching Activities
- Osgoode Hall LLM Programme
- University of Toronto, Faculty of Law
- Ryerson University
- George Brown College
Representative Work
- Post-Secondary Institution: Representation of owner in disputes with contractor involving costs overruns and project delay.
- Diamond Mine: Representation of contractor in adjudication and mediation of disputes with owner.
- Performing Arts Centre: Representation of owner in multi‐party litigation involving a defective roof.
- Infrastructure (New Transit Line): Counsel for designer in arbitration of disputes with contractor.
- Resort Hotel: Counsel for construction manager in disputes respecting project delay, contract termination and allegations of fraud.
- Hydro-Electric Transmission Stations: Co-counsel for contractor in arbitration of delay and loss of productivity claims.
- Major Transit Hub: Co-counsel for construction manager in multi-party lien and civil actions respecting renovation of major transit facility.
- Cultural and Religious Centre: Counsel for construction manager in disputes respecting project delay and costs overruns.
- Infrastructure (Justice Complex): Counsel for contractor in dispute with designer respecting costs overruns.
- Infrastructure (Hospital): Counsel for design -build contractor in disputes with project owner.
- Commercial Office Tower: Counsel for contractor in disputes with subcontractor respecting delays and disputed extras.
- Sports Complex: Counsel for owner in dispute with contractor and key suppliers in respect of shoddy workmanship and materials.
- Frequent counsel for other lawyers respecting alleged professional negligence in handling of construction law matters.
- Gay Company Limited v 962332 Ontario Inc., 2023 ONSC 6023 (CanLII)
- McLaughlin v. 2495048 Ontario Inc., 2023 ONSC 4866 (CanLII)
- BCIMC Construction Fund Corp. et al. v. 33 Yorkville Residences In et al., 2023 ONCA 1
- One Oak Construction Inc. v 1850168 Ontario Inc., 2022 ONSC 4090 (CanLII)
- Dufferin v Morrison Hershfield, 2022 ONSC 3485 (CanLII)
- Prasher Steel Ltd. v Pre-Eng Construction Ltd., 2021 ONSC 8264 (CanLII)
- Canning Construction Limited v. Dhillon, 2021 ONSC 665 (CanLII)
- R&V Construction Management Inc. v. Baradaran, 2020 ONSC 3111 (CanLII)
- Multiplex Const. Can. Limited v. Princes Gates Hotel Limited Partnership, 2019 ONSC 4367 (CanLII)
- Aqua Pools Ltd. v. Hanna, 2019 ONSC 850 (CanLII)
- Stubbe's Precast v. King & Columbia, 2018 ONSC 6539 (CanLII)
- Khalimov v Hogarth, 2015 ONSC 6244 (CanLII)
- Carillion Construction Inc. v Imara (Wynford Drive) Limited, 2015 ONSC 3658 (CanLII)
- Primo Paving & Construction Ltd. v. Prudential Elfa Management Group Inc., 2014 ONSC 7139 (CanLII)
- 984499 Ont. Inc. v. 1159337 Ont. Inc. et al., 2013 ONSC 4500 (CanLII)
- Tabrco Management Ltd. v. Sundial Homes (Bronte) Limited, 2009 CanLII 18299 (ON SCDC)
- Carosi Construction Ltd. v. Regional Municipality of Niagara, 2006 CanLII 2399 (ON SC)
- Toddglen Construction Ltd. v. Concord Adex Developments Corp., 2005 CanLII 47095 (ON SC)
- Ali v. Triple 3 Holdings Inc., 2002 CanLII 45126 (ON CA)
Speaking
- Ontario Bar Association: “Critical Insights on Construction Liens/Trusts in Insolvencies”, June 16, 2022, Toronto, Panel Discussion on construction lien and trust issues in an insolvency.
- CIArb and RICS: “Prompt Payment & Adjudication Symposium, Significant Change – Time for Alignment”, May 29, 2019, Toronto, Presentation: “Prompt Payment reforms Gather Momentum Across Canada”
- Toronto Lawyers Association: “TLA Nutshell – Don’t be Spooked by the Construction Lien Act Amendments”, October 30, 2018, Toronto Presentation: “Public Contracts and Bonding, Holdback, Trusts
- Society of Construction Law: 8th International Society of Construction Law Conference” September 28, 2018, Chicago, Presentation: “Mediation/Arbitration: Mixed Mode Dispute Resolution”
- The Canadian College of Construction Lawyers: 2018 Conference – “The Construction Lawyers’ Toolkit of the Future”, June 2, 2018, Banff, Alberta, Presentation: “Construction Trusts and Insolvency Update”
- The Canadian Institute: “3rd Annual Managing Risk in Construction Contracts & Projects”, February 6, 2018, Toronto, Presentation: “Essential case Law Updates from Across Canada”
Representative Publications
Conduct of Lien, Trust and Adjudication Proceedings (Thomson Reuters, 2022)
Application to Delete Construction Lien – A Cautionary Tale, The Ontario Bar Association, November 23, 2018
"Summary Judgment in Construction Cases - Has the Culture Shifted?" Journal of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers 2018
“The Trouble with Money: After 30 Years, the Construction Lien Act will finally get a Makeover”, The Lawyers’ Weekly, May 15, 2015, at pp. 11-12.
“A Tough Act to Follow: In Ontario, Construction Liens come with Strict Rules and Harsh Penalties”, The Lawyers’ Weekly, November 29, 2013 at p. 16. Co-author: Martine Morin, LawPro.
B. Bowles, "Green Building", in Glaholt LLP and Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Review of Construction Law: Recent Developments (Toronto: Carswell, 2012) at pg 107.
Bowles, M. Sontrop, "Update on the Law of Notice" (2019) J. Can. C. Construction Law. 1.
Education & Admissions
Accreditations
- Ranked in Chambers Canada, 2023
- Benchmark Canada Litigation Star, 2023
- Lexpert Ranked Lawyer, 2022
- Lexpert ALM Top 500 Ranked Lawyer, 2022
- Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, 2022
- Best Lawyers, Recognized Lawyer, 2022
- Who’s Who Legal Construction, 2022
- Who's Who Legal Canada, 2022
- Harvard Law School, Program on Negotiation: Negotiation and Leadership, 2022
- Harvard Law School, Program on Negotiation: Mediation and Conflict Management, 2021
- 2021 OBA Award of Excellence in Construction Law
- Who's Who Legal, Thought Leaders - 2021
- Lexpert, Most Frequently Recommended, 2022
- Law Society of Ontario, Certified Specialist in Construction Law, 2011
- The Surety Association of Canada, Associate in Canadian Surety Bonding, 2004
