Striking a balance between front-end work and litigation, Dentons’ construction practice is valued for its ‘incredible ability to understand and provide legal solutions to varying commercial concerns’. In the non-contentious space, the group’s broad industry experience spans the full range of project structuring, procurement and implementation, with Vancouver-based department co-head Jana Mansour highly regarded in this sphere. On the contentious side, Vancouver-based co-lead Karen Martin KC is widely recognized as a market leader for construction disputes. The team also benefits from the senior experience of Edmonton litigator Dennis Picco KC; Vancouver-based construction, infrastructure and procurement specialist John Haythorne; Montreal’s Pierre Grenier, who is noted for contentious construction cases; and Toronto-based Karen Groulx, who advises on construction contracts and dispute resolution. Edmonton associate Robert Gilroy is also recommended for construction disputes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The Dentons' construction group is unique in having both pure solicitors and litigators on the team that specialize in their areas but who also communicate and collaborate as a team. Very few groups have such a composition, providing the firm with a unique and beneficial approach.’
- ‘Jana Mansour brings global experience to the Vancouver market. Whether the project is large or small, he has an incredible ability to understand and provide legal solutions to varying commercial concerns.’
- ‘Dentons' construction practice demonstrates strong technical knowledge and team depth.’
- ‘Construction lawyers at Dentons bring strong technical knowledge and experience in dealing with challenging negotiations.’
Key clients
- Acciona Vancouver Fraser Port Authority JGC Fluor BC LNG Joint-Venture Régie Régionale de la Santé et des Services Sociaux du Nunavik Attorney General of Canada City of Richmond Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay Montréal Port Authority Enbridge Knight Piésold
Work highlights
Represented Acciona in litigation against the Greater Vancouver Sewerage & Drainage District relating to the termination of a design and construction contract for a wastewater treatment plant.
Represented Centurion Apartment Properties, and its legal nominee, in an action to recover damages caused by the negligent design and construction of an 11-story apartment building.
Advised Régie Régionale de la Santé et des Services Sociaux du Nunavik on the construction of a local community service centre, including contentious matters.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Jana Mansour
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Robert Gilroy
Practice head
Jana Mansour; Karen Martin KC
Other key lawyers
John Haythorne; Dennis Picco KC; Claude Morency; Karen Groulx; Pierre Grenier; Lampros Stougiannos; Alexis Barr-Gusa; Robert Gilroy