At Singleton Reynolds, our people are what makes us great. We come together every day with the common goal of providing exceptional legal services and ensuring we go above and beyond for each and every client.
Learn More
The range of backgrounds of the partners, counsel, associates and staff of Singleton Reynolds enables us to offer a broad range of services.
Singleton Reynolds’ lawyers spend a significant amount of time researching and thinking about how industry or legislative changes could affect your business.
All News
Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP is recognized as a leader in construction and infrastructure, insurance, commercial litigation, real estate and business law.
Singleton Reynolds has offices to serve you in Vancouver and Toronto.
Singleton Reynolds believes in community. Our team members are teaching at Canadian universities and abroad, lecturing the next generation of lawyers.
How was Singleton Reynolds first established? Find out more here.
Recognizing the leadership that contributes to the company successes.
Singleton Reynolds prides itself in being a leader in corporate social responsibility. We encourage diversity, charity, mentorship, civic dedication and neighbourhood support.
Singleton Reynolds strives to understand the balance between your career and your personal goals and encourages our legal and operations staff in the pursuit of their interests outside of the firm.
Our goal is to develop strong lawyers from student right through to partner. Mentoring and training start when you are a student and continue throughout your practice.
We are always on the lookout for talented professionals to contribute to our team. Singleton Reynolds offers a professional and challenging work environment, with a competitive compensation and benefits package.
On September 14 at a gala dinner held in his honour, Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel Co-Managing Partner, Bruce Reynolds, received the 2023 Ontario Bar Association Construction & Infrastructure Law Award of Excellence. The Award was presented by his long-time Partner and friend, Sharon Vogel, recognizing Bruce’s exceptional contributions both to the law and to the construction industry.
Bruce was raised in Huntsville, Ontario, in the Muskoka district, at the time a small town with a population of 2,000. He entered Victoria College at the University of Toronto in 1974, his father’s alma mater, to study English Literature. He graduated from the University of Toronto Law School in 1981.
Bruce began his legal career as an articling student at Borden & Elliot, the Toronto predecessor entity to Borden Ladner Gervais. Following this he was hired back by the firm as an Associate in 1983 — one of only two in his class of 12 — to work with Dr. Carl Morawetz, the leading insolvency lawyer in Canada and an original co-author of Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law of Canada. In late 1985, Bruce began working with Ken Scott, a leading expert in the area of surety bonding.
These experiences, and the foundational mentoring he was afforded, had a strong influence on Bruce’s path to becoming a construction lawyer. His work with Ken Scott during the depths of the two 1980s recessions provided a strong pipeline of opportunities and piqued his passion for the construction industry. Says Bruce, “from our basis in surety, we developed a strength in construction law generally, and together conceived the idea to grow the footprint of the practice to include pure construction disputes.”
Bruce’s development as a construction lawyer over the next few decades is well documented, as evidenced by the awards that adorn his office, and the list of satisfied clients who make him their first call when they are in need of counsel. He points to a casual comment made to him by Carl Morawetz many years ago: “Reynolds, you’re going to be a great success; not because you’re smart, but because you’re lucky.”
Bruce carries these words with him to this day. “Brains are table stakes” he explains. “There are many smart people out there, but smart is not enough. You have to work like a Trojan; but that is still not enough. You have to be lucky!”
“Luck is in the people you work with”, he continues. “And it’s in the opportunities that come your way,” although he omits mentioning his role in bringing out the very best in those people, as well as his track record of knocking those opportunities out of the park when called to the plate.
After 37 years building one of Canada’s premiere construction practice groups, Bruce decided to leave behind the security of a successful practice in favour of a bright new challenge. And on January 1, 2018, alongside Sharon Vogel, Bruce joined Singleton Urquhart with a vision to create a dream team and establish the firm as the premiere Construction Law practice in Canada, and one of the premiere practices in the world.
Mission accomplished! Since establishing the office only five and a half years ago, Singleton Reynolds’ Toronto Construction Practice has grown from just four lawyers to 20, who represent high profile clients on matters valued up to hundreds of millions and even billions of dollars. And the future could not be brighter.
True to form, Bruce points to the quality of the team as responsible for the success. “Building from a base of four very committed and hard-working lawyers to a platform of 20 would not have been possible without the very strong and consistent support of our Toronto office, and the unwavering support of our Vancouver office, and in particular our founder, John Singleton.”
Bruce also points to continuing engagement and reinvention as keys to his long-term success, and who could argue? Here, he provides the examples of his involvement in the Canadian and American Colleges of Construction Lawyers, the International Bar Association and the International Academy of Construction Lawyers. Not content with resting on past achievements, he hints at the next chapter, which involves continuing his counsel practice while also working in dispute resolution, with a focus on the mediation and arbitration of construction disputes.
“It will allow me to continue my counsel work, which I love, and to continue to help build the firm, and enjoy the benefits of collegiality and camaraderie with my colleagues, which I also cherish.” A win-win for all.
Congratulations Bruce on winning the 2023 Ontario Bar Association Construction & Infrastructure Law Award of Excellence, from all your friends and colleagues at Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel!
Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP is proud to be top ranked once again by Best Lawyers Canada®, with 21 lawyers listed in multiple categories, showcasing SR’s depth and breadth of expertise.
Ranked lawyers are listed in their respective practice areas:
Jane Ingman Baker (Construction Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Director and Officer Liability Practice, Insurance Law)
Steve Berezowskyj (Construction Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Professional Malpractice Law)
Clive Boulton (Personal Injury Litigation)
David Edinger (Entertainment Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation)
Catherine Gleason-Mercier (Construction Law)
Webnesh Haile (Construction Law)
Stuart Hankinson, K.C. (Construction Law, Insurance Law)
Bob Hodgins (Construction Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation)
Kathryn Kirkpatrick (Insurance Law)
Cheryl Labiris (Construction Law)
Seema Lal (Construction Law, Insurance Law)
James Little (Construction Law)
Robert Moore (Insurance Law)
Bruce Reynolds (Alternative Dispute Resolution, Construction Law, Insurance Law, International Arbitration)
Elizabeth (Betsy) Segal (Construction Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law)
John Singleton, K.C. (Alternative Dispute Resolution, Construction Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Product Liability Law, Public Procurement Law, Transportation Law)
Mark Stacey (Corporate and Commercial Litigation)
Sharon Vogel (Administrative and Public Law, Construction Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Public Procurement Law)
Steve M. Vorbrodt (Construction Law, Insurance Law)
Peter Wardle (Alternative Dispute Resolution, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Director and Officer Liability Practice, Professional Malpractice Law, Securities Law)
2024 “Ones to Watch”
Quinlan Winton (Corporate Law)
About Best Lawyers®
Best Lawyers® has published their list for over three decades, with the first international list published in 2006. Since then, it has grown to provide lists in over 65 countries. Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in Canada® list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise, and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.
About Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP
Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP is a Canadian national law firm that specializes in the construction and infrastructure, insurance, and real estate sectors.
The firm consistently ranks first among Canadian construction and infrastructure firms and features prominently in the delivery of commercial litigation, corporate-commercial and employment law services.
Singleton Reynolds is pleased to announce the arrival of seven new Associates to the firm.
Lauren Dinwoodie is an Associate in the Commercial and Business Litigation, and Construction and Infrastructure Law Practice Groups. She maintains a broad litigation practice, with a particular focus on shareholder disputes, construction and estate litigation, and commercial leasing disputes.
Erik Grobler is an Associate in the Commercial and Business Litigation and Insurance Practice Groups. He recently moved to British Columbia from South Africa, where he practiced as both a solicitor and barrister in various fields of law, most notably commercial and business litigation.
Sohil Heydari is an Associate in the Construction and Infrastructure, Insurance, Employment, and Entertainment Law Practice Groups. He handles complex contractual disputes, related to construction claims for compensation, delays, extra work, and builders’ lien issues. He also has experience with insurance issues such as coverage and subrogation claims, as well as various employment issues including wrongful dismissal and work-from-home privacy issues.
Kathryn Irwin is an Associate in the Construction and Infrastructure, Commercial and Business Litigation, and Insurance Practice Groups, where she focuses on construction and infrastructure dispute-related work.
Nicole M. Krige is an Associate in the Commercial and Business Litigation, Insurance and Estates Practice Groups. Prior to being called in British Columbia, she practiced as a barrister for a number of years in South Africa, specializing in civil litigation. Nicole has a wealth of experience in all stages of litigation and has represented an array of corporate, state, and other clients throughout her years in practice.
Harry Meiteen is an Associate in the Construction and Infrastructure Practice Group. He maintains a diverse construction law practice and has worked with various stakeholders within the construction industry, including owners, general contractors, subcontractors, architects, and engineers. Called to the bar in both Ontario and British Columbia, Harry has assisted senior counsel in litigating complex claims for lien, as well as claims for breach of contract, breach of trust, delay, deficiencies, and extras.
Rachel Poon is an Associate in the Construction and Infrastructure, Commercial and Business Litigation, and Insurance Practice Groups, where she maintains a broad construction litigation practice with experience relating to a wide range of disputes.
Benchmark Litigation has again recognized Sharon Vogel as one of the Top Women in Litigation in its annual publication. She was also named Construction Litigator of the Year for Canada for the third consecutive year.
The Top Women in Litigation publication’s extensive research process, which encompasses six months of investigation into the individual litigator’s professional activities as well as client feedback surveys and individual interviews, has culminated in the selection of the most distinguished women in the world of litigation. These women have earned their place amongst the leading female litigators by participating in some of the most impactful litigation matters in recent history as well as by earning the hard-won respect of their peers and clients. Though they hail from widely different practice areas, they all share the distinction of being recognized as top players in their respective fields.
Lawyers named to the 2023 publication were chosen through several phases of research: namely, the review of their recent case work, peer review in which we consider how lawyers at peer legal institutions might rank them, and a consideration of client feedback on their performances.
In addition to this honour, Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP also enjoys a number of firm-wide rankings and further individual lawyer recognition by Benchmark Litigation. For more information please see here.
About Benchmark Canada
Benchmark Canada recognizes the top litigation lawyers and firms across the country for the significance of their cases. The results listed are based on extensive interviews with litigators and their clients. For more information, please visit Benchmark Litigation.
Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP is proud to announce that partners Daniel Barber, Jesse Gardner and James Little have been included in the 2023 edition of Benchmark’s 40 and Under Hot List.
Each year, the Benchmark team sets out to find the best and brightest law firm partners who stand out in their practices throughout Canada and the United States. This prestigious recognition highlights ambitious and accomplished lawyers under 40 who are performing at the peak of their expertise, and who have made outstanding contributions to their industry.
Daniel Barber is a practical litigator who strives to solve his clients’ legal problems effectively and efficiently. He specializes in the areas of insurance defence, professional liability, construction, and collections. In his insurance work, Dan represents insureds in claims made by third parties and also represents insurers in first party coverage claims, bad faith claims, and recovery matters. Outside of his insurance work, Dan assists his clients to successfully navigate through complex litigation including litigated and pre-litigation construction claims, all manners of collections work, including garnishment and execution against both real and personal property, and leasing disputes. Dan has appeared as counsel at all levels of court in British Columbia and regularly represents clients at chambers, trials, mediations and arbitrations.
Jesse Gardner advises a wide range of construction industry clients, including owners, general contractors, engineers and sureties in relation to major construction and infrastructure projects on issues such as delay and deficiency claims, fee disputes, and insurance matters. His practice focuses on effective dispute resolution, advisory work and strong written and oral advocacy. He has managed complex disputes on large-scale infrastructure projects including light rail train systems, waste-water treatment and power plants, wind farms, highway construction and mining projects. He has experience managing delay and subject matter experts through the litigation process and has assisted clients through arbitration and litigation proceedings.
James Little advises his clients in relation to complex domestic and international construction disputes, including in respect of court proceedings, negotiation, arbitration and other dispute resolution alternatives and for a wide variety of construction industry clients. In particular, James has advised clients of all sizes and on a variety of different types of projects including on major national and international infrastructure projects, mining projects, hospitals, commercial and residential construction. His focus is on providing a high level of service through effective and timely advice and advocacy, while managing and resolving disputes. James is often called upon to advise on construction projects during the design and construction phase, and also provides ongoing advice in respect of dispute avoidance and claims management.
These recognitions are a testament to the exceptional legal expertise at all levels within our firm, which allows our lawyers to go above and beyond for each and every client.
Bruce Reynolds and Sharon Vogel have published the second edition of A Guide to Canadian Construction Insurance Law, published by Thomson Reuters. It covers new and important developments since the first edition was published in 2013.
This book is a key risk management tool for participants in the Canadian construction industry and lawyers as it provides a comprehensive review of the many types of insurance products applicable to Canadian construction projects and summarizes relevant case law. It is written in plain language and is accessible. It is based on the authors’ extensive experience in respect of construction insurance.
This resource covers the key insurance policies critical to any construction project, including:
With the new edition, readers will benefit from a thorough analysis of updated case law throughout the text, including the Supreme Court of Canada’s watershed decision in Ledcor Construction Ltd. v. Northbridge Indemnity Insurance Co., as well as a host of decisions from courts of appeal across Canada.
The book also features significant updates to the commentary, including most notably in sections on Conditions and Warranties, Subrogation, Policy Interpretation, Builders’ Risk Policies, the Resultant Damage Exception, the relationship between CGL Coverage and Builders’ Risk Coverage, Pollution Insurance, Coverage for Additional Insureds, and Relief from Forfeiture, along with several brand new sections including but not limited to the Reasonable Expectations of the Parties, and the Priority of Concurrent Policies.
For more information on the second edition and to purchase, click here.
Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP is pleased to welcome new associate David Leck to the firm.
David Leck is an Associate in the Construction and Infrastructure Practice Group at Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP.
David’s practice focuses on all facets of the construction industry, acting for owners, general contractors, sureties, architects, engineers, design professionals and consultants. He advocates and advises on claims for delay, deficiencies, breach of contract and insurance matters, as well as construction lien and breach of trust actions. David also enjoys working with clients and subject matter experts on complex technical issues – always seeking to achieve a reasonable and cost-effective resolution.
Where disputes cannot be resolved, David has the experience and expertise to serve as a zealous advocate for his clients, having appeared regularly before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, as well as various administrative boards and tribunals.
Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP is proud to announce that six of its lawyers have been featured in Who’s Who Legal Canada: 2023. John Singleton, Bruce Reynolds, Sharon Vogel, Stephen Berezowskyj, Jesse Gardner and James Little have been named leading lawyers in the area of construction law. Bruce and Sharon have also been named North America’s Best Construction Law Global Thought Leaders.
Please join us in congratulating our esteemed practitioners:
“John Singleton, K.C. has real expertise in construction law. He excels in complex and challenging construction disputes.”
“Bruce Reynolds is a strategic thinker who is able to find practical solutions to complex problems. He has a vast knowledge of surety and construction law. He is Canada’s top construction lawyer.”
“Sharon Vogel is a very hard working and intelligent construction lawyer. She is an internationally respected counsel and a brilliant advocate.”
“Stephen Berezowskyj is a deeply experienced lawyer. He possesses extensive knowledge of construction, scheduling and delay matters.”
“Jesse Gardner is a professional, approachable and extremely knowledgeable lawyer. He has the ability to turn things around very quickly. He is an amazing practitioner.” (Future Leader)
“James Little is a keen-minded lawyer with clear strategies to advocate for his clients. He has deep experience and knowledge of the infrastructure sector. He is a rising star with a bright future.” (Future Leader)
Who’s Who Legal identifies the foremost legal practitioners in 35 areas of business law around the globe. Who’s Who Legal: Canada is a special report by the publication that provides an in-depth analysis of the Canadian legal market. For more information, please visit Who’s Who Legal.
Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP is a Canadian national law firm that specializes in the Construction and Infrastructure, Insurance, and Real Estate sectors.
The firm consistently ranks first among Canadian construction and infrastructure firms and features prominently in the delivery of Commercial Litigation, Corporate-Commercial and Employment Law services.
Bruce Reynolds, Sharon Vogel, Nicholas Reynolds and Natasha Rodrigues provide a comprehensive overview of construction law in Canada as part of Lexology’s global Getting the Deal Through series. The construction (Canada) chapter is now available online and in print.
Lexology’s Getting The Deal Through provides international expert analysis in key areas of law, practice and regulation for corporate counsel, cross-border legal practitioners, and company directors and officers. Throughout this edition, and following the unique Lexology GTDT format, the same key questions are answered by leading practitioners in each of the jurisdictions featured.
This easy-to-use reference guide provides comparative analysis and expert local insight into the field, offering detailed overview of the laws, regulations and common procedure across a range of international jurisdictions. In addition to construction, topics covered include: local insights on foreign entry into the local market; licensing procedures; competition and bribery considerations; contract and insurance matters (including PPP and PFI; joint ventures; tort claims; and indemnity); labour and closure of operations; rights to payment; force majeure; dispute resolution mechanisms; environmental law; applicable investment treaties, tax treaties, currency controls, and revenue, profit and investment removal controls; and recent trends.
About Lexology
Lexology delivers the most comprehensive source of international legal updates, analysis and insights. Lexology publishes in excess of 450 articles every day from over 900 leading law firms and service providers worldwide across 50 work areas in 25 languages. Lexology’s searchable archive now contains more than 900,000 articles.
Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP is proud to congratulate named partners Bruce Reynolds and Sharon Vogel on their success at the 2023 Benchmark Canada Awards Gala. Bruce Reynolds received the coveted Hall of Fame award, one of the most prestigious honours in the industry recognizing exceptional lawyers who have made significant contributions to the legal profession, and the community as a whole. Sharon Vogel was named Canadian Construction Lawyer of the Year (for the third year in a row). These awards highlight the outstanding results the firm has achieved for its clients.
Singleton Reynolds is also proud to announce that 19 of its lawyers appear in Benchmark the 2023 edition of Benchmark Canada, an annual directory recognizing Canada’s leading litigators. These lawyers were awarded “Litigation Stars” across various practice areas.
Clients said the following about these lawyers and the firm:
“They are absolutely the first call for construction litigation. …The firm has a …dense combined pool of talent, ranging from senior statesmen to future stars and no shortage of star power in between. One satisfied client testifies, “The lawyers at Singleton Reynolds have a winning mentality. Their knowledge and experience are vast, their work ethic is staggering. They are terrific at responding when needed, and at looking for innovative solutions. They are the consummate professionals but have a very friendly and easygoing manner. Working with this firm is an absolute pleasure,” according to the most recent Benchmark analysis.
Benchmark’s analysis of the firm can be found here.
Congratulations to the following Singleton Reynolds lawyers on their successful inclusion in Benchmark Canada 2023:
Daniel Barber
Stephen Berezowskyj
Clive Boulton
David Edinger
Jesse Gardner
Catherine Gleason-Mercier
Stuart Hankinson, KC
Robert Hodgins
Jane Ingman Baker
Ronald Josephson
James Little
Avon Mersey, KC
Bruce Reynolds
Melanie Samuels
Betsy Segal
John Singleton, KC
Mark Stacey
Sharon Vogel
Peter Wardle
Singleton Reynolds is a preeminent Canadian construction and infrastructure law firm. Our peers and clients recognize our lawyers as the best in the construction industry. Over forty years of leadership in Canadian construction and infrastructure law is complemented by a broad offering of legal services, with a focus on finding solutions to complex legal problems, and providing service excellence in our approach and execution. While the core of our business remains rooted in construction and infrastructure, we also offer our clients an extensive range of legal services in the fields of commercial litigation, professional liability, product liability, corporate commercial law, commercial real estate, employment and labour law and business immigration.
Singleton Reynolds is pleased to congratulate Nicholas Reynolds on being named a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCI Arb). Nicholas is one of only two lawyers in Canada aged 30 years or under to receive this honour.
The FCIArb designation, which is the final grade of membership awarded by the CIArb, confirms that the titleholder maintains the highest standards of knowledge, skills, and conduct in the practice of arbitration. Nicholas’ practice focuses on arbitration and other forms of alternative dispute resolution in the construction and infrastructure industry, and the FCIArb designation confirms that he will continue to deliver exceptional service in his capacity as counsel to the firm’s clients, and as an arbitrator.
Nicholas is an Associate in the Construction and Infrastructure Law Group. He is experienced in litigation, arbitration, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution, and is skilled at resolving complex legal issues. He has also been recognized by the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada (ADRIC) as a Qualified Arbitrator.
Singleton Reynolds is proud to announce that 19 of its lawyers appear in Benchmark Litigation’s 2023 issue of Benchmark Canada, their annual directory recognizing Canada’s leading litigators. These lawyers were named “Litigation Stars” across various practice areas.
Congratulations to the following Singleton Reynolds lawyers on their successful inclusion in Benchmark Canada:
Entering the field of law requires ability, commitment, and personal sacrifice. Creating a successful practice and scaling the heights to lead one of Canada’s premier law firms, by most accounts, would equate to living your best life.
And then there’s Mark Stacey, Co-Managing Partner at Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, and Co-Chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Group.
Mark helps clients to achieve their goals, and he is recognized as one of Canada’s leading practitioners in complex commercial litigation and business law. Equally impressive about Mark; he has met and bested his professional challenges while training to achieve the hallowed rank of Shihan-dai in the martial art of Shito-ryu Karate.
It’s a signpost on a long, rewarding journey for Mark, who describes his new Shihan-dai status as “assistant master, one step from Shihan, those considered to be masters of their martial art.”
Mark started training after high school and at 19 he travelled to Tokyo to study under Shito-ryu Soke (Grand Master) Seiko Suzuki, thus beginning a relationship that endures to this day. He then returned to Canada and qualified for the BC Karate Team before entering Osgoode Hall Law School.
After law school, Mark resumed intensive karate training and competition. He soon made it back onto the BC Karate Team, and then he joined the Canadian National Karate Team to take part in the Pan American Karate Championships and the World Karate Federation Championships.
Around this time, Mark invited Kaz Hashimoto, his friend and fellow student of Soke Suzuki, to come to Vancouver from Japan and open a karate dojo together. Through this partnership, the Odokan Shito-ryu Karate-do was born, and continues to thrive today, 35 years later, in its East Vancouver home. The dojo is considered to be among the most intensive, successful karate programs in Canada, and its pedigree of many former and current national champions backs up that claim.
Although he no longer competes at an elite level, Mark has continued to train and increase his black belt grading throughout the years. This he does while balancing his teaching responsibilities at the dojo, and of course, the demands of a successful law practice.
“There are a number of parallels that people might find surprising,” says Mark. “Success in karate is a function of preparation—extensive technical and repetitive training to develop a profound skill. This is very similar to the preparation, anticipation, and persistence required to succeed in the courtroom. The difference being that once you’ve stood alone at the ring’s edge at a high-level karate competition, you’re far less likely to be daunted by any challenges faced at trial.”
Mark shares these hard-earned truths with those he instructs at the dojo, and also the young lawyers he mentors at the firm.
In 2018, Mark returned to Tokyo to train with Soke Suzuki. There he was awarded a seventh-degree black belt, along with the rank of Kyoshi, an honorary rank beyond Sensei that is often equated with an associate professor standing.
Of course, the COVID 19 pandemic took a toll on the Odokan dojo, which was forced to shutter for many months. Thankfully those days have passed, and the dojo is once again in full operation, churning out the best and the brightest in Canadian Karate—one of its young students just won a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships in Turkey!
This past February, Mark and Kaz both travelled to Japan to train under Soke Suzuki, now in his late eighties. It was at a ceremony during this visit that Mark was awarded the ranking of Shihan-dai.
“I have now been training in karate for almost 50 years,” says Mark. “Without a doubt it has been the most powerful single influence in my life. I greatly enjoy practicing law, but at the most fundamental level, I am a karateka in my heart.”
Lexology has announced the winners of their annual Client Choice Awards, and we are pleased to announce that named partner, Bruce Reynolds has been named top Construction Lawyer in Canada. Special thanks to our clients and peers for their feedback: www.clientchoice.com
Here are some sample client quotes:
“Bruce always puts his client’s interests first. He is an excellent advocate and presents his client’s case persuasively and eloquently.”
“Bruce Reynolds is a dynamic and impressive advocate.”
“Bruce is well known in the industry and a very experienced litigator.”
“Bruce Reynolds comes up with innovative solutions and arguments to a legal dispute, and that always brings a fresh perspective to the matter.”
These distinguished awards are based on an extensive survey of in-house counsel and independent market research conducted by Lexology. Through the surveys, clients are asked to rate lawyers in numerous areas of client service including: quality of legal advice, commercial awareness, industry knowledge, strategic thinking, billing transparency, tailored fee structures, value for money, responsiveness, and ethics, among others. To ensure that the results cannot be influenced, law firms are not informed when this initial round of research is conducted.
About Client Choice
Established in 2005, Client Choice recognizes those individuals around the world that stand apart for the excellent client care they provide and the quality of their service. The criteria for this recognition focus on an ability to add real value to clients’ business above and beyond the other players in the market. Uniquely, lawyers can be nominated only by corporate counsel.
Lexology delivers the most comprehensive source of international legal updates, analysis and insights. We publish in excess of 450 articles every day from over 900 leading law firms and service providers worldwide across 50 work areas in 25 languages. Our searchable archive contains more than 1,000,000 articles. Find out more at www.lexology.com.
Every year on International Women’s Day Singleton Reynolds profiles a prominent female member of our firm. This year we are honoured to feature named partner Sharon Vogel, one of Canada’s top construction lawyers.
Sharon Vogel said she was going to be a lawyer when she was young – and she delivered. However, her friends in law school would not have predicted Bay Street or that she would end up as a construction lawyer; the most likely predication was that she would land at an NGO somewhere. Sharon, though, decided to give private practice a shot, and ended up inspired by the passion and generosity of the incredible lawyers who interviewed her and who she then worked with. “If this kind of person can practice at a law firm,” Sharon thought “I can too.”
During her articles Sharon met Ken Scott and Bruce Reynolds. Ken had a caring and charismatic personality combined with a razor sharp skill set. Sharon remembers Ken as one of the best cross-examiners she has ever seen, as well as one of the kindest people she has known. Ken took Sharon under his wing and she worked alongside him until he retired on the last day of a long trial they ran together. Bruce Reynolds was also a critical mentor to Sharon, and he was extraordinarily generous in training her and sharing his vast knowledge of construction law. Ken and Bruce’s mentorship and others on their team led her to a rich and fulfilling career helping her clients solve their fascinating problems.
Sharon and Ken appeared at the Supreme Court of Canada together on the Guarantee Co. of North America v. Gordon Capital Corp case while Sharon was eight months pregnant, and Sharon laughingly remembers having to jam into the tiny benches. She also glows at how much fun she had with the case: the complex legal issues, the opportunity to argue in front of the Supreme Court of Canada, observing the “battle of the titans” between Ken and opposing counsel Tom Heintzman.
Today Sharon is a titan herself, and she credits her mentors, her clients, and her “dream team” of Singleton Reynolds partners and associates for the joy she has found in her career. Sharon’s untraditional career made room for all of the things she cares about in her life: not only incredible litigation success, but also academia, writing, mentorship, and family. Her accomplishments include co-authoring with Bruce Reynolds the pre-eminent textbook A Guide to Canadian Construction Insurance Law while on sabbatical in New Zealand, working part-time while she and her husband tag-teamed raising their small children, and recently helping to found the Toronto office of Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, where Sharon’s name features prominently on the wall.
The early days of Singleton Reynolds were giddy with excitement and enthusiasm for the new venture, and full of pride at joining a group of incredible partners with which to build something new – and remarkable. Today the lawyers at Singleton Reynolds – junior and senior – look to and call on Sharon for her advice, guidance and wisdom as Sharon passes on the legacy of mentorship that shaped her career. The strength of the incredible construction litigation team in Toronto can be attributed to that legacy as passed on by Bruce, Sharon, and now the newest Singleton Reynolds partners.
Sharon’s advice for all young lawyers is to do what they love, find the mentors and champions who will support and encourage them, and to build and sustain the relationships that will bring meaning and joy to their practice of law.
Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP has been named in the Top Tier (Most Frequently Recommended) for Construction Law in both Toronto and Vancouver in The Canadian Lexpert® Directory, with lawyers also listed in multiple categories.
The firm has also been ranked for Infrastructure Law, Commercial Arbitration, Corporate Commercial Litigation, Commercial Insurance Litigation, Directors & Officers’ Liability Litigation, and Professional Liability.
Singleton Reynolds lawyers recognized by Lexpert® include:
Stephen Berezowskyj, Construction Law, Commercial Insurance Litigation, Professional Liability
Jesse Gardner, Leading Lawyer to Watch, Construction Law
Stuart B. Hankinson, Construction Law, Commercial Arbitration, Commercial Insurance Litigation
James Little, Leading Lawyer to Watch, Construction Law
Avon M. Mersey, Aviation Law
Bruce Reynolds, Construction Law (Most Frequently Recommended), Infrastructure Law, Commercial Arbitration
John R. Singleton, Construction Law (Most Frequently Recommended), Commercial Arbitration, Commercial Insurance Litigation,
Sharon Vogel, Construction Law (Most Frequently Recommended), Infrastructure Law
Peter Wardle, Corporate Commercial Litigation, Directors’ & Officers’ Liability Litigation, Professional Liability
The directory results are based on an Annual Survey of in house counsel and lawyers across Canada.
About The Canadian Lexpert® Directory
The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, published since 1997, is based on an extensive peer survey process. It includes profiles of leading practitioners across Canada in more than 60 practice areas and leading law firms in more than 40 practice areas. The publication also features articles highlighting current legal issues and recent developments of importance written by leading practitioners across Canada.
Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP is pleased to welcome new partner Seema Lal to the firm.
Seema practices in the Construction and Infrastructure and Commercial and Business Litigation practice groups. She has experience acting for owners, developers, contractors, trades and consultants and has developed experience in all aspects of construction law, with a particular focus on the negotiation and preparation of construction contracts, procurement issues, builders’ liens, and construction dispute resolution, including claims for extras and delays.
She brings over 20 years of experience to her practice at the firm. She seeks to provide strategic legal advice to assist her clients in making informed and effective legal and business decisions. Through her practice and her involvement in industry associations, she has built up an in-depth understanding of the construction sector and the unique issues facing its stakeholders. She is also experienced in assisting clients with insurance matters and professional liability claims.
Seema is a Fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, an association of lawyers who are distinguished for their skill and experience in the practice or teaching of construction law. She has been recognized by The Legal 500 as a leading lawyer in Canadian Construction Law. Seema regularly provides lectures and seminars to various construction industry associations and organizations, and is an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia.
She is actively involved in the Vancouver community and holds board positions with a number of industry groups and non-profit organizations. She also volunteers with Access Pro Bono and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada’s Volunteer Legal Advocacy Program.
Singleton Reynolds is proud to announce and congratulate our newest partners, Catherine Gleason-Mercier and Edmundo P. Guevara.
Catherine Gleason-Mercier is a passionate advocate who provides business-critical strategic counsel to clients facing complex legal challenges. Catherine’s practice is focused on construction and infrastructure disputes and complex commercial disputes.
Catherine has represented a diverse group of public and private clients in all facets of the contractual pyramid in a wide array of disputes, including complex commercial disputes, construction liens and trusts, bond and insurance claims, contract interpretation, delay and extras claims, and professional negligence. Catherine also routinely advises clients on the avoidance and management of risk in the administration of construction contracts. The core of Catherine’s practice is a commitment to excellent client service and ensuring the advancement of client interests with a strategic focus on achieving overall business objectives.
Edmundo P. Guevara seeks first and foremost to understand his clients’ business and concerns in order to help them efficiently resolve their disputes including through negotiation, mediation, arbitration or litigation in the areas of insurance defence, construction disputes, defence of insurance brokers, commercial and business disputes and personal injury law.
His diverse legal background, which includes acting at various times as solicitor, litigator and consultant to government agencies and international regional development agencies, in addition to having assumed a high-level management position in the Philippine government’s tax agency prosecuting tax fraud and tax evasion cases, provides him with a varied perspective that informs his practical approach to the handling of his clients’ legal issues.
Singleton Reynolds is a preeminent Canadian construction and infrastructure law firm. Our peers and clients recognize our lawyers as the best in the construction industry. Over forty years of leadership in Canadian construction and infrastructure law is complemented by a broad offering of legal services, with a focus on finding solutions to complex legal problems, and providing service excellence in our approach and execution.
Bruce Reynolds, John Singleton and Sharon Vogel have been featured in the 2023 Lexpert/ALM 500 Guide. This directory profiles lawyers who are identified by peers and clients as “Most Frequently Recommended.”
The identification of leading practitioners for the Lexpert/ALM 500 is based upon comprehensive survey work across the country, which has been ongoing since 1994. The process targets lawyers acknowledged as leaders in their respective fields, lawyers prominent in professional organizations, and lawyers otherwise enjoying significant recognition from their colleagues.
About The Lexpert/ALM 500:
Produced in collaboration with American Lawyer Media, The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (the Lexpert/ALM 500 Directory) profiles the “Most Frequently Recommended” lawyers across Canada in approximately 35 practice areas identified via an extensive, annual peer survey.
The Lexpert/ALM 500 Directory features articles highlighting cross-border legal issues and recent developments of importance written by leading practitioners across Canada.
Learn more at: https://lexpert.ca/500/
Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP is proud to announce that partner Jesse Gardner has been selected as one of the top 40 young professionals in the construction sector in Canada, as part of On-Site Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction awards, presented in partnership with SitePartners.
This award celebrates the accomplishments of young construction professionals who are making an immediate impact by helping to advance the industry as a whole.
Jesse advises a wide range of construction industry clients, including owners, general contractors, engineers and sureties in relation to major construction and infrastructure projects on issues such as delay and deficiency claims, fee disputes, and insurance matters. His practice focuses on effective dispute resolution, advisory work and strong written and oral advocacy. He has managed complex disputes on large-scale infrastructure projects including light rail train systems, waste-water treatment and power plants, wind farms, highway construction and mining projects. He has experience managing delay and subject matter experts through the litigation process and has assisted clients through arbitration and litigation proceedings.
About On-Site Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40.
On-Site’s 2022 Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction have been selected by a panel of judges based on professional achievements, innovation, leadership, and community involvement. The listing features individuals both on- and off-site who are helping advance complex infrastructure projects, implementing or launching powerful software tools to increase on-site safety, and building communities for families to thrive in, and are a promising reflection of where the Canadian construction industry is heading.