Construction Projects in 2024: What You Need to Know
October 2, 2024 at 9:00AM PST
Downtown Vancouver and Live Webinar
Construction Projects in 2024: What You Need to Know
October 2, 2024
Overview
The construction industry is in a perpetual state of evolution, constantly adapting to new challenges and opportunities. Even when a pandemic is not causing havoc, political, economic, technological and generational changes can require industry players to relearn the basics and advance existing skills. Construction projects are by necessity multidisciplinary, and success often depends on the ability of lawyers, project managers, engineers and other professionals to “speak the same language.”
Our upcoming conference brings together industry leaders and seasoned professionals, offering invaluable insights into the crucial elements that everyone involved should know, as well as some of the salient changes affecting the construction landscape today. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in dialogue with speakers and other attendees.
Whether you are just getting started, or have been navigating the construction sector for years, join us for this review of the important preoccupations that continue to animate the ever-changing construction industry.
Key Areas Addressed:
Development in the Lower Mainland
Bidding & tendering and the essentials of Contract A
New and emerging contracting models
Updates from the industry
Mediation and how to approach it
The basics and latest developments on builders liens and termination
Who Should Attend:
Lawyers
Public infrastructure managers
Construction and development company owners and C-suite officers
Construction managers, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers
Project control managers, prime contract managers and claims consultants
Designers, engineers and architects
Construction insurers and risk managers
Agenda
9:00 - Welcome by PBLI
9:05 - Chairs’ Welcome and Introduction
Karen Martin, KC
Dentons Canada LLP
Jana Mansour
Dentons Canada LLP
9:15 - Large Project Development in the Lower Mainland
Devan Fitch
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
The biggest challenges and the secrets to success
Levels of government and regulation that developers and owners have to navigate
Getting the right contractors interested
9:55 - Questions and Discussion
10:00 - Refreshment Adjournment
10:15 - Contract A and Tender Law
Mike Preston
McLean & Armstrong LLP
The basics: what you need to know about Contract A in tendering
The advanced: why Contract A is falling out of favour
10:55 - Questions and Discussion
11:05 - Alliance and Integrated Project Delivery: Compare and Contrast
Elizabeth Mayer
DLA Piper
Lampros Stougiannos
Dentons Canada LLP
What delay remedies owners should be looking for
Dealing with defaulting or insolvent contractors
Dealing with liens as an owner
11:55 - Questions and Discussion
12:05 - Networking Lunch
1:00 - Innovation Initiatives in the Construction Industry
Ashley Saidi
EllisDon
Robby Sohi
EllisDon
At the crossroads of technology, risk management and cost estimating: practical insights from the industry
1:40 - Questions and Discussion
1:45 - Mediation of Construction Disputes
John Logan, KC
Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP
Paul Ryzuk
Dentons Canada LLP
“In-project” negotiation techniques: options and tips for success
How to succeed in mediation: tips for clients and lawyers
2:25 - Questions and Discussion
2:30 - Refreshment Adjournment
2:45 - Builders Liens
Seema Lal
Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP
The top 3 things everyone should know about builders liens
Recent trends
Tips for successful navigation of builders line issues on projects
3:15 - Questions and Discussion
3:20 - Termination
Morgan Burris
Dentons Canada LLP
What are the options for termination - when and how can you do it?
What are the consequences of termination?
When should you do it and when should you not?
Recent case law and global trends
4:10 - Questions and Discussion
4:20 - Chairs’ Closing Remarks
4:30 - Forum Concludes
Meet the Co-Chairs
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Partner, Dentons Canada LLP, Vancouver, BC
Karen is a partner whose practice focuses on dispute resolution on construction and infrastructure projects. She currently sits on the Dentons National and Global Boards. She is a past President of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers. Since the late 1980s, she has acted on procurement and construction claims, including on P3 projects. She provides strategic advice during tender and RFP processes and during construction to help clients minimize risk, avoid disputes, and resolve project issues expeditiously. When disputes arise, she acts as counsel in the negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation of all types of procurement and construction claims. She also acts as a referee, mediator and arbitrator. She is one of the contributing authors to the BC Builders Liens Practice Manual and the BC Business Disputes Manual, Construction Law chapter. Ms. Martin is ranked in the areas of Construction and Procurement by LEXPERT, Best Lawyers in Canada, Who’s Who Legal and Who’s Who Legal Canada, Chambers Canada, Chambers Global and Legal 500.
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Partner, Dentons Canada LLP, Vancouver, BC
Jana Mansour is National Co-Chair of Dentons Canada’s Infrastructure and PPP group, and is also a member of the Construction and Project Finance groups. He regularly advises investors, developers and contractors from early-stage consideration through financing, construction, operation and disposition of large-scale infrastructure projects. Jana represents owners and contractors in the negotiation of project agreements, including complex multi-phased engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts, operation and maintenance agreements and long-term service agreements. Jana has assisted clients in the preparation, review and clarification of requests for proposals and the preparation of compliant bids. Jana began his legal career in Montréal before moving to New York City, where he practised law for 17 years with two major international law firms. During 2010 – 2016, he was a partner in the Project Finance and Development Group of a major international law firm, based in New York.
Meet the Faculty
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Partner, Dentons Canada LLP, Vancouver, BC
Morgan is a partner in Dentons’ Vancouver office and a member of the Firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution group and a prominent member of the Infrastructure and PPP and Construction groups. She helps clients across a broad range of public and private sectors identify and execute practical and efficient solutions for existing and potential commercial and construction disputes in a way that aligns with their strategic goals and minimizes disruption to their operations. Morgan has extensive knowledge and experience in litigation across various business transactions and relationships, including disputes involving construction and engineering, commercial real estate development, mining investment and insolvencies, environmental, intellectual property, Aboriginal title and treaty claims, film and television, competition, and corporate governance matters. In her construction practice, she provides strategic advice to clients throughout the procurement and construction process, and has a breadth of experience guiding owners, developers and contractors through a variety of disputes such as delay claims, negligence, faulty design and/or workmanship, change in site conditions, builders’ liens, and warranty claims. Morgan has acted as trial counsel and appeared at all levels of provincial and federal courts, including the British Columbia Supreme Court, the British Columbia Court of Appeal, the Yukon Supreme Court, the Yukon Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Competition Tribunal. She has also represented clients in confidential commercial arbitrations. Prior to pursuing a career in law, Morgan studied mechanical engineering at Queen’s University and worked in manufacturing and mechanical building design.
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Program Director, Roberts Bank Terminal 2 initiative, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Vancouver, BC
Devan leads the implementation of the port authority-led Roberts Bank Terminal 2, a future marine container terminal at the Port of Vancouver. As an advocate for stakeholder engagement and multi-agency collaboration, Devan is also a director with the non-profit BC Construction Roundtable. Devan brings more than 15 years of experience in infrastructure delivery to this role. Prior to joining the port authority, Devan spent several years as a bridge structural engineering consultant and as the manager of project delivery for the engineering department of the City of Vancouver. Devan is an alumni of Imperial College London, the University of British Columbia and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.
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Partner, Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, Vancouver, BC
Seema Lal is a Partner and Co-Chair of the Construction and Infrastructure practice group, and member of the Commercial and Business Litigation practice group at Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP. Seema is focused on the negotiation and preparation of construction contracts, procurement issues, builders’ liens, disputes; and construction dispute resolution, including claims for extras and delays. 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. She 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. Seema regularly provides lectures and seminars, including for the Independent Contractors Association of British Columbia, Buildex, Vancouver Regional Construction Association and Pacific Business & Law Institute. She was also previously an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia for engineering students – Legal Aspects in Engineering Practice.
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Managing Partner, Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, Vancouver, BC
A JML founding and managing partner, John Logan focuses on commercial disputes as counsel, arbitrator, mediator, referee, or project neutral. He has been involved in the resolution of hundreds of disputes across Canada, including many major projects involving transportation, telecommunications, hydro, and oil and gas. John is an acknowledged leader of the British Columbia construction bar, as counsel and neutral. He has long been included in the Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada. He has an AV Rating from U.S. ratings agency Martindale and Hubbell in both commercial and construction litigation. He is currently Best Lawyers’ “Lawyer of the Year” for construction law in Canada, Doyles Guide’s market leader for construction law in B.C., and one of Lexpert’s three most frequently recommended construction lawyers in B.C. He is listed by Who’s Who Legal as one of B.C.’s top mediators and construction lawyers. John is involved in the activities of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Vancouver International Commercial Arbitration Centre. He is on the latter’s Application and Appellate panel. He has chaired countless legal and industry conferences on commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Along with being one of the original authors of the British Columbia Builder’s Liens Practice Manual, he taught the builder’s lien course to almost every Professional Legal Training Course class for 25 years.
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Partner, DLA Piper, Vancouver, BC
Elizabeth Mayer is a member of the DLA Piper’s Infrastructure, Public Affairs, and Construction Groups, with particular expertise in procurement matters, acting both for public and private sector clients. Elizabeth brings a depth of experience to infrastructure projects, having advised the Province of British Columbia on two of the earliest P3 projects in Canada. Subsequently she has acted for bidders, contractors, lenders and public authorities on a wide range of projects across Canada. In the past three years she has advised on the first alliance projects to be undertaken in British Columbia, working on both vertical and linear projects. She worked with colleagues in Australia to draft template alliance agreements for use by Infrastructure BC.
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Lawyer, McLean & Armstrong LLP, Vancouver, BC
Mike is former criminal prosecutor turned civil litigator who has conducted trials and appeals in B.C., Alberta, Ontario and the Yukon. At the Supreme Court of Canada he argued and won on behalf of his client in Valard v. Bird. Mike is a fellow in the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers and an Adjunct Professor teaching at the UBC Allard School of Law. Previously, when practicing in Ottawa, he frequently appeared as a legal affairs commentator on CTV for high profile Supreme Court cases ranging from Doctor-Assisted Suicide to the Charter Challenge to Prostitution Laws.
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M.Eng., P.Eng., Partner, Dentons Canada LLP, Edmonton, AB
Paul Ryzuk is a partner in Dentons’ Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Infrastructure and PPP and Construction groups. Paul has a unique professional background with over 20 years of combined legal and technical experience, which equips him to understand and provide tailored advice to clients about complex construction matters with large document productions, both in arbitration and conventional court proceedings. His practice spans across multiple jurisdictions in Canada and involves both public and private sectors. In addition to providing strategic advice through tendering, procurement and construction, Paul possesses a wealth of experience guiding owners, developers and contractors through a variety of disputes, including delay claims, breach of contract, negligence, faulty design work, differing site conditions, professional liability, warranty claims and builders’ liens. Prior to pursuing a career in law, Paul worked as a geotechnical engineer in British Columbia, contributing to a number of commercial and infrastructure projects.
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Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) Manager, EllisDon, Richmond, BC
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Legal Counsel, Western Canada, EllisDon, Calgary, AB
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Partner, Dentons Canada LLP, Montreal, QC
Lampros practises corporate and commercial law with a focus on infrastructure, public-private partnerships and renewable energy, as well as on government contracting and procurement law. Lampros provides counsel to private and public sector clients on the development, construction and operation of projects in a variety of sectors, including transportation and transit, municipal and social infrastructure, healthcare, energy, mining and real estate.
Registration Form
Program:
Construction Projects in 2024: What You Need to Know
Date:
October 2, 2024
Location:
UBC Robson Square (800 Robson Street - Classroom level), Vancouver, BC
Registration:
The registration fee is $890.00 plus GST of $44.50 totalling $934.50 for webinar and in-person attendance. Registration fee covers your attendance at the program and electronic materials. In-person attendance includes a catered lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Early Bird Discount:
Register by September 4th, 2024 and receive a $100 discount on the registration fee ($790.00 plus GST). Discounts cannot be combined.
Group Discount:
Register four persons from the same organization at the same time and you are entitled to a complimentary fifth registration. Discounts cannot be combined.
If you would like to register a group, please fill out this form and email it to registrations@pbli.com:
Payment:
You may pay by VISA, Mastercard or cheque. Cheques should be made payable to the Pacific Business & Law Institute and mailed to Unit 2-2246 Spruce Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 2P3. Please do not send cheques via courier with signature required.
When and Where:
Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. The program starts at 9:00 a.m. (PST). UBC Robson Square is located at 800 Robson Street in Vancouver, BC, and our event will take place on the classroom level. Please visit https://robsonsquare.ubc.ca/find-us/ for directions.
Materials:
The faculty will prepare papers and/or other materials explaining many of the points raised during this program. Materials will be distributed electronically. Please contact us at registrations@pbli.com if you are unable to attend the program and wish to purchase a set of materials.
Cancellations/Transfers:
Refunds will be given for cancellations (less a $60.00 administration fee) if notice is received in writing five full business days prior to the program (September 25, 2024). After that time we are unable to refund registration fees. Substitutions will be permitted. We reserve the right to cancel, change or revise the date, faculty, content, availability of webinar or venue and transfer in-person registration to webinar registration for this event.
To register by phone:
Telephone us: 604-730-2500
Your Privacy:
We will keep all information that you provide to us in strict confidence, other than to prepare a delegate list containing your name, title, firm and city for our faculty and the program delegates. We do not share our mailing lists with any non-affiliated organization.
Course Accreditation:
Attendance at this course can be listed for up to 6.25 hours of continuing professional development credits with the Law Society of BC. For practitioners in other jurisdictions, please check your governing body’s CPD requirements.
If you would like to register a group, please fill out this form (DOWNLOAD FORM) and email it to registrations@pbli.com; for individual registration, please continue with form below.