Jesse is a trusted partner who has been instrumental in helping us navigate the complexities of construction law.  A rising star in the legal profession, he brings a balanced perspective when advising or assisting our company in dispute resolution.

 

 

President
Utility Services Company

Jesse is an acute thinker and skilled drafter. He is able to turn around significant pieces of work, often on short notice, that are well thought out, detailed and clear.

Who’s Who Legal

Jesse has vast knowledge of contract and surety law. He is a true strategic thinker. He works very well with different client groups to secure the required facts and understand the big picture.

Who's Who Legal

Rankings

Jesse Gardner is top-ranked by Leading Global Rankings Agencies and Directories.

Professional Background

Jesse Gardner is a Partner in the Construction and Infrastructure Practice Group at Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP.

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.

Jesse has appeared before both the Ontario Court of Justice and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, as well as before various administrative boards and tribunals. Jesse aims to assist clients in resolving disputes efficiently and cost-effectively, although he is an aggressive advocate when attending court to secure results for his clients.

Jesse has been recognized as a leading construction lawyer by Who’s Who Legal and Benchmark Canada. He was recently featured as a Lawyer to Watch by Lexpert®, and he was named in Benchmark Litigation’s 40 & Under Hot List.

Education

  • Called to the Manitoba Bar, 2019
  • Called to the Ontario Bar, 2014
  • Juris Doctor, University of Windsor, 2013
  • Bachelor of Arts with an Honours Specialization in Political Science, University of Western Ontario, 2010

Rankings + Recognitions

  • Top 40 Under 40 (Canadian Construction) Award Winner, On-Site Magazine.
  • Recognized as a Next Generation Partner in Canadian construction by The Legal 500.
  • Recognized as a leading lawyer in the Lexpert® Globe and Mail Report on Business Special Edition on Infrastructure
  • Recognized as a Leading Lawyer for Energy Law in the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Globe and Mail Special Edition.
  • Recognized in Benchmark Canada – The Definitive Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys as a “Future Litigation Star” and featured in the 40 and Under Hot List
  • Recognized in Who’s Who Legal – Future Leader
  • Recognized as a Lawyer to Watch in the Lexpert® Directory

Memberships

  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Society of Construction Law North America
  • Member, Toronto Lawyers Association
  • Member, Toronto Construction Association
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association
  • Member, Ontario Bar Association
  • Member, Advocates’ Society

Community + Volunteering

Jesse is a Big Brother with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto.

Served as counsel to:

  • A general contractor and surety in relation to claims arising from the construction of a 300MW windfarm and transmission line project valued at over CDN$1-billion.
  • Public infrastructure owners in relation to a number of large disputes with a contractor partnership for a major LRT Project in Toronto valued at over CDN$5-billion.
  • A large municipality in relation to project management and disputes on a number of light rail transit projects valued at over CDN$4-billion.
  • A crown agency in relation to a CDN$350-million contract with a signaling provider for the provision of construction and related services for a major rail corridor.
  • A general contractor regarding a complex mine remediation in Manitoba with technical and contractual claims valued at CDN$35-million.
  • A surety in relation to the insolvency of a major developer in Ontario. Also managed the completion contract and insolvency and priority issues under the Construction Act in relation to a CDN$300-million dollar luxury condo project.
  • An international mining company regarding a mine expansion project valued at CDN$1.7-billion.
  • A global insurer and surety in relation to the insolvency of a contractor in Manitoba who was completing six significant projects, and also managed the completion of the insolvency-related issues as they related to the priority of construction funds.

Publications

Presentations

  • Speaker, “Contractual Dispute Resolution Procedures – Challenges and Alternatives,” Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA), April, 2023
  • Panelist, “The Importance of the Applicable Law. How Far Do Lawyers from Civil Law and Common Law Backgrounds View the Same Construction Law Issues Differently?,” Eighth Biennial International Bar Association Conference on Construction Projects from Conception to Completion, March, 2023
  • Speaker, “Geotechnical Risk: Allocation of Contractual Risk and Managing Geotechnical Claims,” Ontario General Contractors’ Association 13th Construction Symposium, April, 2022
  • Speaker, “Industry Impacts and Considerations Arising from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” 15th Annual Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) Road Building Academy, March, 2022
  • Speaker, “Risk Management in the Context of Alternative Project Delivery Models,” 15th Annual Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) Road Building Academy, March, 2022
  • Speaker, “Working with Consultants,” Educate Me, Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) Virtual Symposium, April, 2021
  • Speaker, “Dispute Resolution for Construction Projects: Assessing Improvements to the Process, and Determining Which Method is Right for You,”  The Canadian Institute’s 13th Annual National Symposium on Managing Risk in Construction Contracts and Projects, February, 2021
  • Speaker, “The New Construction Act: Adjudication,” Brampton: What Municipalities Need To Know Seminar, 2019
  • Speaker, “Adjudication Primer” and “Prompt Payment – Practical Considerations,” Ontario Road Builders’ Association Workshop, 2019
  • Speaker, “Managing the Legalities of Risk in Geotechnical Engineering,” The Canadian Geotechnical Society – Southern Ontario Section Workshop, 2019
  • Speaker, “The New Construction Act: What You Need to Know,” Lexpert® Conference, 2018

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