Bio
Jacob is a construction lawyer whose practice focuses on litigation and alternative dispute resolution, particularly arbitration and construction adjudication. He represents owners, contractors, subcontractors, and other industry participants in complex construction and commercial disputes, and regularly advises clients on the drafting, review, and negotiation of construction and design contracts.
Jacob has acted in significant court proceedings, domestic and international arbitrations, and construction adjudications involving major, multidisciplinary projects and a broad range of industries. His experience includes disputes arising from underground tunnelling, light rail transit, steel manufacturing, hospital redevelopment, mining operations, highway construction, wastewater treatment facilities, and maritime transportation and shipping. He also advises clients on contractual risk allocation, claims management, and dispute avoidance throughout the lifecycle of a project.
An active contributor to the legal and construction communities, Jacob regularly speaks and teaches on industry issues, including tendering, construction and design contracts, prompt payment and adjudication, and delay claims. He is currently serving on the Executive of the Ontario Bar Association’s Construction and Infrastructure Law Section as Newsletter Editor and is a faculty member in Osgoode Professional Development’s Professional LLM program, where he teaches alternative dispute resolution, with a focus on dispute boards and construction adjudication.
Jacob takes a practical, strategic, and commercially minded approach to his practice. He works closely with clients to navigate complex legal and technical issues, manage risk, and develop efficient, cost-effective solutions that advance their business objectives.
Jacob has been recognized by his peers in the 2026 and 2027 editions of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada for Construction Law.
Memberships
- Ontario Bar Association, Construction and Infrastructure Law Section, Executive
- Advocates Society, Construction Law Practice Group, Member
- Canadian Construction Association, Member
Representative Work
- Complex multi-party litigation relating to several interrelated projects that support wastewater systems in downtown Toronto
- Ad hoc arbitration relating to several interrelated highway expansion and bridge building projects located throughout the province of Ontario
- Counsel for a participant in the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Public Inquiry, which investigated the commercial and technical circumstances that led to breakdowns and derailments
- Ad hoc arbitration relating to the manufacture and supply of light rail vehicles to a major public infrastructure project
- Complex multi-party litigation relating to the redevelopment and construction of a new hospital in downtown Toronto
- Ad hoc arbitration in respect of a tunneling project involving a general contractor and municipality
- Counsel for other lawyers in respect of alleged professional negligence in handling of construction law matters
Representative Publications
- Jacob McClelland, Katie McGurk & Ramez Gries, “Major Amendments to Ontario’s Construction Act Coming January 1: What Industry Stakeholders Need to Know and How to Prepare” (17 December 2025), online: Glaholt Bowles LLP www.glaholt.com.
- “Calling on a Lien Bond – A Handy Reference Guide for Construction Lawyers in Ontario” (2025) 170 Canadian College of Construction Lawyers Legal Update, 2025 CanLIIDocs 1181.
- “Understanding Notice Holdback" Building Insight - Glaholt Bowles LLP Newsletter, Spring 2024 (Issue 25).
- “Portable Classrooms Are “Improvements” under the Construction Act" Building Insight - Glaholt Bowles LLP Newsletter, Spring 2023 (Issue 22).
- J. McClelland, Building Contracts, in O'Brien's Encyclopedia of Forms, 11th ed., Division I, Commercial and General, Chapter 21 (Thomson Reuters, 2023).
- “A Home Under Renovation is Not Necessarily “Under Construction”: Ontario Court of Appeal" Building Insight - Glaholt Bowles LLP Newsletter, Summer 2021 (Issue 16).
- “Newfoundland Court of Appeal and Ontario Superior of Justice Clarify Scope of Builder’s Risk Insurance Policies” (2019) Canadian College of Construction Lawyers Legal Update, 153.
- Podcast - “Episode 19: COVID-19, Ontario’s Essential Workplaces and the Suspension of Limitation Periods and Procedural Time Periods” Building Insight Podcast, April 17, 2020.
- Podcast - “Episode 14: Adjudication” Building Insight Podcast, October 22, 2020.
Education & Admissions
Accreditations
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada, 2026 and 2027
