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Brendan D. Bowles

Partner

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. He has also volunteered with The Advocates’ Society, serving as Chair of the Arbitration and Mediation Practice Group for 2023-2024.

Brendan is a frequent writer and speaker on construction law and ADR topics. Published works include Conduct of Lien, Trust and Adjudication Proceedings, an annual guide on managing different types of proceedings arising under Ontario’s Construction Act.

Brendan taught courses in construction law at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and George Brown College between 2006 and 2013 and has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law. As of January 2025, he is teaching construction law at his alma mater, Queen’s University Faculty of Law.

Brendan is a fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, serving as a member of the Board of Governors and Committee Chair for Legal Update. 

In addition to his practice as a lawyer, Brendan is also a trained and experienced mediator, and available to mediate construction disputes upon request.

 

 

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
  • Chair for the 2023-2024 Arbitration & Mediation Advocacy Practice Group

Teaching Activities

  • Osgoode Hall LLM Programme
  • University of Toronto, Faculty of Law
  • Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
  • George Brown College

 

Representative Work

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, 2023)

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

Lexpert 2025 Ranked LawyerBest-Lawyer-loty-Brendan-2022-Shield-Medium