Andrea Lee

Partner

Bio

Andrea Lee is certified as a Specialist in Construction Law by the Law Society of Ontario. She is a Fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers and Past Chair of the Ontario Bar Association, Construction and Infrastructure Section Executive.

Andrea obtained her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Law from Queen’s University. She has practiced exclusively in construction law since her call to the bar in 2006. She acts for owners, contractors, design professionals and insurers in complex disputes involving claims for breach of contract, negligence, liens, breach of trust, cost overruns, delay and deficiencies. Andrea regularly advises parties in the industry with respect to construction contracts and professional design agreements.

Andrea is a co-founder of the construction law course at Queen's University and teaches construction law as part of Osgoode's LL.M program. She is also a skills instructor at The Advocates' Society. Andrea regularly speaks at programs offered by the legal and industry associations, published articles and papers on construction law topics and co-authored chapters focused on design professionals in Halsbury's Laws of Canada, Construction and Review of Construction Law: Recent Developments. Andrea is the co-editor and co-author of the text, Critical Issues in the Canadian Law of Architects and Engineers (Toronto: Thomson Reuters, 2023) and has also co-edited Bidding and Tendering, What is the Law? (6th edition).

Andrea has completed her LEED certification and RICS Diploma in construction adjudication. She is a board member of Building Transformations and volunteers on the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Practice Support Committee. Andrea is a mentor to young lawyers through the OBA mentorship program and the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers. She has been recognized by Lexpert, Benchmark Litigation, Who’s Who Legal and Best Lawyers.

Memberships

Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, Fellow
Ontario Bar Association Construction & Infrastructure Section Executive, Past Chair
Building Transformations, Board Director
The Advocates' Society, Skills Instructor
Royal Architecture Institute of Canada, Practice Support Committee
LEED AP

Teaching Activities

Osgoode Professional LLM, Construction Law Course (Instructor)
Queen's University, Construction Law Course (Instructor)
University of Toronto, Daniels Faculty (Guest lecturer)

Representative Work

Represented consultant in defending claims related to P3 transit project
Represented contractor in arbitration related to gas processing facility
Represented consultant in defence of action related to municipal stormwater management system
Represented contractor in arbitration of claims arising from P3 healthcare project
Represented owner and construction partner in relation to claims arising from wind power project
Represented contractor in claims for delay and additional compensation related to transformer station
Represented contractor in claims related to steel processing plant
Acted for consultant in recovery of professional fees on mixed-use developments
Acted for owner in relation to delay claims arising from large scale mixed-use project
Acted as construction counsel for contractor in CCAA proceeding
Advised design firm regarding bespoke professional services contracts
Advised owner in relation to construction and design professional agreements for Canada-wide projects

Speaking

Osgoode PD, March 2022: Construction Law Certificate National Program 2022, “How to Succeed in Dispute Resolution”
Canadian Institute, February 2022: Managing Risk in Construction Contracts & Projects Conference, “Leveraging Technology to Manage Risks”
CBA Law Series, February 2022: “Construction Dispute Resolutions: Lessons Learned from the Pandemic”
American Bar Association, December 2021: “COVID-19 – Present and Future Legal Impacts on the Construction Industry”
Ontario Association of Architects, October 2021: “Best Practices for Contract Administration and Adjudication”
Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, June 2021: Congress Embracing Disruption - Innovation and the New Norm Conference, “BIM & Risk Management”
Osgoode PD, June 2021: “The Legal Guide to Managing Delay and Impact Claims”
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors / Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, June 2021: Construction Dispute Symposium, “Negotiation and Mediation”
The Advocates’ Society, June 2021: “Preparation Series: Cross-Examination”
Society of Construction Law (North America), June 2021: “COVID – 19: Quantifying the Impact”
Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, May 2021: Annual Conference, “Ethical and Professional Challenges in Challenging Times”

Representative Publications

A. Lee and M. Rotterdam, eds., Critical Issues in the Canadian Law of Architects and Engineers (Toronto: Thomson Reuters, 2023)
A. Lee & M. Rotterdam, “Architect Discipline – Two Recent Decisions” (2021) Glaholt Bowles LLP Summer 2021 Newsletter, Issue 16
A. Lee & M. Rotterdam, “Building Without an Architect – AIBC v. Langford (City)” (2020) Glaholt Bowles LLP Summer 2020 Newsletter, Issue 12
A. Lee & M. Rotterdam, “One Person, Two Hats - The Dilemma of the Design Professional”, 2020 J. Can. C. Construction Law. 51
A. Lee & J. Lewis, “Design Technology Growth and Risks: Perspectives from the Industry”, (2020) CanBIM Innovation Spotlight
A. Lee & J. van Leeuwen, “How Do Suppliers Fit Within the New Prompt Payment Regime?” (2019) Glaholt LLP Winter 2019 Newsletter, Issue 9
A. Lee & L. Wang, “Smart Contracts and Blockchain Technology: Transformation of the Construction Industry”, (2019) Glaholt LLP Winter 2019 Newsletter, Issue 9
A. Lee & K. Du Vernet, “Building Diversity”, November 2019 ed, Construction Law International Magazine, IBA International Construction Projects Committee