Bruce ReynoldsFCIArb*

*R. Bruce Reynolds Professional Corporation

Partner

(416) 585-8601 | breynolds@singleton.com | |

Kerry Moran, Assistant
(416) 585-8634 | kmoran@singleton.com

“Big Hitter” Bruce Reynolds excels in the construction field, where he is renowned for his excellent representation of clients in a range of complex construction and projects disputes. He is the most highly regarded Construction Lawyer in Canada.

Who's Who Legal

Bruce Reynolds is sought after for his experience advising on construction mandates. One source appreciated that he was “able to explain complicated concepts in a simple way, citing practical examples based on his extensive relevant experiences.” He is often cited for his in-depth expertise in construction liens and prompt payment.

Chambers Global

Bruce Reynolds is described as “the best of the bunch”, both nationally and internationally, for the resolution of construction claims, with one source calling him “one of the most capable construction lawyers Canada ever produced.”

Who's Who Legal

Bruce is a meticulous, professional and absolutely innovative individual.

Canadian Lawyer

The very cerebral Bruce Reynolds is “one of the first people that comes to mind for any dispute in Canada” with sources highlighting him as a “distinguished advocate and an experienced arbitrator. He continues to be regarded as one of the foremost construction practitioners in the world.”

Who's Who Legal

I was very impressed with Bruce Reynolds and his team’s preparedness, strategic thinking, and meticulous attention to the nuanced but important details of the file. I’ve been involved with some renowned lawyers, and Bruce’s carriage of this case was exemplary.

President
Leading Surety and Construction Insurance Brokerage Firm

A standout construction lawyer who regularly acts in complex transactional and dispute proceedings, as peers note that he is “gold standard in leadership”.

Who's Who Legal

Bruce Reynolds is renowned for his significant role in the development of federal legislation in the construction space. He is often called upon to assist a number of public authorities and private entities across the energy, natural resources and infrastructure spaces, with sources reporting: “He has the mature judgment and clarity of purpose of the most senior and trusted counsel in the field.”

Chambers Global

Bruce Reynolds is a “distinguished construction specialist” who is “vastly experienced counsel in complex construction disputes. He is always a leading force to look to. He is a fantastic practitioner who really knows his field.”

Who's Who Legal

“Bruce Reynolds provides a wealth of knowledge and experience and is exceptionally strong in providing experience-based advice, as well as providing advice that is understandable to our broader group.” “He is the strategic thinker and creator in the group.”

Chambers Global

“Bruce Reynolds is a fair, articulate and smart construction lawyer. He is an excellent arbitrator and mediator.”

Who's Who Legal

“Bruce Reynolds is a first-rate arbitrator who excels in construction and insurance disputes, in addition to product liability claims.”

Who's Who Legal

“Bruce Reynolds receives worldwide endorsements for his top-tier construction practice which sees him advise on construction and insurance claims, including architects’ and engineers’ errors.”

Who's Who Legal

“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.”

Who's Who Legal

“Bruce is an excellent communicator. He is a very strategic and results-oriented mediator. He is pragmatic and always delivers good results.”

Who's Who Legal

“Bruce is the best-in-class construction lawyer.”

Who's Who Legal

“He’s very experienced in his field.”

Who's Who Legal

“He is highly esteemed by peers.”

Who's Who Legal

Professional Background

Bruce Reynolds has earned a stellar reputation in the construction industry for settling disputes and drafting and negotiating contracts. Who’s Who Legal has recognized him as “one of the foremost construction practitioners in the world,” while his clients have praised him for his legal skills, integrity and clarity of insight.

Bruce is Co-Managing Partner and Co-Chair of the firm’s International Construction Projects Group. He specializes in the resolution of construction and insurance claims, liens, surety bond claims, product liability issues, and architects’ and engineers’ errors and omissions issues. He advises clients on construction projects in Canada, the United States and overseas. In addition to his practice, he also acts as a mediator, arbitrator and facilitator helping to resolve construction industry disputes.

Together with his colleague Sharon Vogel, he played a significant role in helping the Ontario government modernize the province’s construction law and helped to shape the Construction Act. Among the changes to the legislation are the creation of a prompt payment regime and the introduction of a mandatory interim binding dispute resolution system. He was also retained as Counsel by the federal government of Canada to assist in the introduction of new legislation on prompt payment and adjudication, co-authoring the independent expert report Building a Federal Framework for Prompt Payment and Adjudication.

He has been certified as a specialist in construction law by the Law Society of Upper Canada. He is a Fellow of both the Canadian and American Colleges of Construction Lawyers, and past Co-Chair of the International Construction Projects Committee of the International Bar Association.

Bruce has been recognized twice as Global Construction Lawyer of the Year by Who’s Who Legal and as Toronto Construction Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers. He is listed in Chambers Global (Band 1) and Martindale-Hubbell (AV), and he is also recognized in the Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (construction law) and the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory.

Education

Called to the Manitoba Bar, 2019
Certificate in Mediation, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Caruso School of Law, Pepperdine University, 2017
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, 2012
Bachelor of Laws, University of Toronto, 1981
Bachelor of Arts, University of Toronto (Victoria College), 1978

Rankings + Recognitions

Rankings

Recognized in the Hall of Fame as a top lawyer in Canadian construction by The Legal 500.
Recognized in Who’s Who Legal – Construction Law, Arbitration, Mediation.
Recognized in Who’s Who Legal global analysis of Construction Law.
Recognized as a leading lawyer in the Lexpert® Special Edition on Litigation.
Recognized as Construction Lawyer of the Year (Toronto) by Best Lawyers Canada®.
Ranked in the areas of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Construction Law, Insurance Law, and International Arbitration by Best Lawyers Canada®.
Recognized twice as Construction Lawyer of the Year by Benchmark Canada.
Recognized in Benchmark Canada — The Definitive Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys as a “Local Litigation Star: Ontario” and a “Litigation Star: Construction”.
Named as most highly regarded Construction Lawyer in Canada by Who’s Who Legal.
Recognized in Who’s Who Legal as one of North America’s Best Construction Law Global Thought Leaders.
Recognized in Chambers Canada — Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Construction) as a Band 1 practitioner in the area of Construction Law; and for Dispute Resolution: Arbitration.
Recognized as a Leading Lawyer in Construction and Infrastructure in the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Most frequently recommended).
Recognized as a leading Infrastructure lawyer in the Lexpert® Globe and Mail Report on Business Special Edition on Infrastructure and Litigation
Recognized as a Leading Lawyer for Arbitration and Energy Law in the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Globe and Mail Special Editions.
Recognized as a Leading Litigator in The Globe and Mail/Report on Business Special Litigation issue.
Recognized in The Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (Construction Law).
Recognized in the Client Choice Awards in the area of Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Recognized as an Acritas Star.
Martindale-Hubbell AV Ranked.

Recognitions

Hall of Fame Award Winner, 2023 Benchmark Canada Awards Gala
Exclusive Winner, 2022 Lexology Client Choice Construction Award, Canada
Construction Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in Canada.
Toronto Construction Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in Canada.
Award of Excellence, The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Lexpert® Zenith Award (Change Agent in Law).
Jock Tindale Memorial Award, Ontario General Contractors Association.
Global Construction Lawyer of the Year (twice), Who’s Who Legal.
Construction Litigator of the Year (twice), Benchmark Canada.
Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada, Canadian Lawyer.
Donald P. Giffin, Sr. Construction Industry Achievement Award, Toronto Construction Association.
Recipient of a 2017 award from the Council of Ontario Construction Associations for outstanding contributions to the construction industry.

Memberships

President, International Academy of Construction Lawyers.
Past Co-chair, International Construction Projects Committee, International Bar Association.
Past Governor, American College of Construction Lawyers.
Co-chair, International Committee, American College of Construction Lawyers.
Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Founding Governor, Canadian College of Construction Lawyers; president (2002-03).
Member, Canadian Bar Association, Construction Law Section.
Associate Member, American Bar Association, Torts and Insurance Section, Fidelity and Surety Law Committee (FSLC); Vice-chair, FSLC (1998-2001); Member, Forum on the Construction Industry (1994-present).
Member, Canadian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Arbitration Committee.
Certified Specialist in Construction Law, Law Society of Ontario.
Member, International Council for Commercial Arbitration.

Rankings

Bruce Reynolds is top-ranked by Leading Global Rankings Agencies and Directories.

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Construction and Infrastructure Law

Founded in 1982 on a construction litigation platform, Singleton Reynolds has established itself as a leading construction firm in Canada, and continues to draw a large volume of assignments related to all aspects of the construction and infrastructure sectors.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

We have significant expertise and experience with multiple forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution, including arbitration, mediation and adjudication in the construction, infrastructure and insurance industries. We regularly appear before, and our lawyers act as, arbitrators, mediators, and dispute board members. Our experience in construction-related arbitrations, both domestic and international, is extensive.

Experience

Represents owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers in dispute resolution including mediation, arbitration and litigation.
Drafts and negotiates construction contracts on behalf of owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.
Represents surety bonding companies in claims related to construction projects, including performance and labour and material payment bond claims.
Served as counsel to:
- A general contractor, defending 56 claims for lien amounting to more than CDN$80-million.
- An engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) project manager in a CDN$300-million arbitration regarding an international mining dispute.
- A joint venture Project Co. in respect of its CDN$125-million claim as developer of a public-private partnership highway project.
- An engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for a large hydro-electric project seeking CDN$100-million for cost over-runs.
- A surety in respect of a US$50-million cross-border performance bond claim arising out of a high-rise luxury condominium project in New York City.
- A large institutional owner regarding a CDN$50-million claim of its general contractor.
- A major hospital defending 36 claims for lien amounting to more than CDN$50-million.
- A design-build subcontractor working on a major sports facility in a CDN$47-million lien litigation.
- A mechanical and electrical subcontractor in respect of its CDN$30-million claim related to wrongful termination.
- A major hospital regarding a CDN$25-million total cost claim of its general contractor.
- A surety in respect of the restructuring of a bus manufacturer with contracts for the production of 800 transit buses in Canada and the United States.
- An EPC contractor in respect of a major claim arising out of the boiler refurbishment program for a nuclear generating facility.

Publications

Legal Textbooks

Co-author, A Guide to Canadian Construction Insurance Law, 2nd Edition, Thomson Reuters, (with Sharon Vogel)
Co-author, Construction Builders’ and Mechanics’ Liens in Canada, 8th Edition, Thomson Reuters
Co-author, A Guide to Canadian Construction Insurance Law, Carswell, (with Sharon Vogel)
Co-author, Construction Builders’ and Mechanics’ Liens in Canada, 7th Edition (two volumes), Carswell
Co-author, Scott and Reynolds on Surety Bonds (two volumes, supplemented twice annually), Carswell, (with K.W. Scott, KC)

Additional Publications

Co-author, “Walsh Construction v. Toronto Transit Commission: Guidance and Questions on Complex Delay and Disruption Claims, Expert Witnesses, and Flow-Through Claims,” June, 2024
Co-author, “Coinbase Inc. v. Suski: Arbitrability in the Context of Conflicting Agreements – Who Decides?,” June, 2024
Co-author, “Earthco v Pine Valley: Contractual and Statutory Interpretation Collide in the Sale of Goods,” June, 2024
Co-author, “Country Comparative Guides – Canada – Construction,” Legal 500/Legalease, May, 2024
Co-author, “Campbell v. Toronto Standard Condominium Corporate No. 2600: Constructive Fraud is Not Fraud for the Purpose of Set-Aside Applications,” April, 2024
Co-author, “IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest in International Arbitration: Recent Amendments,” April, 2024
Co-author, “Arbitration – Canada,” Lexology Panoramic, March, 2024
Co-author, “Proposed National Building Code Changes for Encapsulated Mass Timber Buildings,” March, 2024
Co-author, “CVV v CWB: The Nature of Set-Aside Applications and Adequacy of the Tribunal’s Reasons,” March, 2024
Co-author, “CZT v CZU: Arguments not Pleaded and Ex Parte Communications in Arbitration,” February, 2024
Featured, “Judicial Vacancies Holding Up Construction Litigation: Litigators,” Law Times, February, 2024
Co-author, “Schickedanz v. Wagema Holdings: The Costs of Arbitral Costs Awards,” February, 2024
Co-author, “Ontario Securities Commission v Go-To Developments: The Limits of Solicitor-Client Privilege in a Receivership,” January, 2024
Co-author, “The FIDIC Practice Note on Dispute Boards – Lessons for Canada,” January, 2024
Co-author, “Davis v. Amazon: A High Threshold for Staying Litigation, A Low Threshold for Precluding Class Arbitration,” December, 2023
Co-author, “Update: Federal Prompt Payment Legislation Comes Into Force,” December, 2023
Co-author, “Emek Insaat Sti Ltd v European Union and the Fourth Arbitrator: The Limits of the Arbitral Secretary’s Role,” December, 2023
Co-author, “FamilyMart China Holding Co Ltd v Ting Chuan (Cayman Islands) Holding Corporation: Dividing Disputes Between Arbitration and Court,” November, 2023
Co-author, “Country Comparative Guides – Canada – International Arbitration,” The Legal 500/Legalease, November, 2023
Co-author, “The Implications of Repeat Arbitral Appointments: Aroma Franchise Company v Aroma Espresso,” The Canadian Journal of Commercial Arbitration, Volume 4, Issue 1, October, 2023
Co-author, “Song Lihua v Lee Chee Hon: The Right to be Heard Requires an Arbitrator’s Full Attention (Don’t Drive While Arbitrating),” October, 2023
Co-author, “Construction Arbitration in Canada,” The Guide to Construction Arbitration, Global Arbitration Review, October, 2023
Co-author, “C v D: Compliance with Pre-Arbitration Conditions — A Question of Admissibility Rather than Jurisdiction,” October, 2023
Co-author, “Grupo Unidos Por El del Canal, S.A. et al v. Autoridad del Canal de Panama: Disclosure Obligations and Partiality in Arbitration Revisited,” September, 2023
Co-author, “Sky Power v IrAero: Remote Arbitration Hearings May Create Difficulties for the Parties, But are Unlikely to Cause Prejudice,” September, 2023
Co-author, “Mattamy (Downsview) Limited v. KSV Restructuring Inc. (Urbancorp): Procedural Fairness in Arbitral Proceedings,” July, 2023
Co-author, “CZT v CZU: Deliberative Secrecy in Arbitration,” July, 2023
Co-author, “Getting the Deal Through Construction: Canada,” Lexology, June, 2023
Co-author, “The Estate of Arbabbahrami v. MSH International (Canada) Ltd.: Implications for “War” and “Military or Usurped Power” Insurance Exclusions and Force Majeure Clauses,” May, 2023
Featured, “Construction disputes trends: design-build P3 risk, dispute boards, settlement disclosure,” Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure, May, 2023
Co-author, “Country Comparative Guides – Canada – Construction,” The Legal 500/Legalease, May, 2023
Co-author, “Getting the Deal Through – Arbitration,” Lexology, March, 2023
Co-author, “Aroma Franchise Company v Aroma Expresso: Guidance and Questions on Disclosure Obligations and Reasonable Apprehension of Bias in Arbitration,” March, 2023
Co-author, “Ontario Appeal Decision Reaffirms Court’s Reluctance to Set Aside Private Arbitral Awards,” The Lawyer’s Daily, February, 2023
Co-author, “Handley Comes for Lien Court Disclosure of Settlement Agreements Altering the Litigation Landscape in the Context of Lien Assignments,” January, 2023
Co-author, “Tall Ships Development Inc. v. Brockville (City): The Ontario Court of Appeal Reaffirms the Court’s Narrow Basis for Setting Aside Arbitral Awards,” January, 2023
Co-author, “Peace River v Petrowest: Lessons Learned for the Construction & Infrastructure Industry,” November, 2022
Co-author, “Country Comparative Guides – Canada – International Arbitration,” The Legal 500/Legalease, November, 2022
Co-author, “Getting the Deal Through Construction: Canada,” Lexology, June, 2022
Co-author, “Ontario Decision Suggests Priority of Lien Claimants Over Building Mortgages Limited to Statutory Holdback Amount,” May, 2022
Co-author, “Getting the Deal Through – Arbitration,” Lexology, February, 2022
Featured, “Opening a Toronto office just part of Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel’s pathway to growth,” Canadian Lawyer Magazine, February, 2022
Co-author, “Construction Canada Comparative Guide Chapter,” Mondaq, January, 2022
Co-author, “Getting the Deal Through – Arbitration,” Lexology, July, 2021
Co-author, “Construction Law (Canada) Chapter,” Chambers Global Construction Law Guide, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Co-author, “Carillion, the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and Construction Lien Act Trusts: Confusion (again) regarding certainty of subject matter and commingling of funds,” May, 2021
Co-author, “Callow v Zollinger: Developments in the Duty of Honest Performance and Good Faith’s Uncertain Future,” December, 2020
Co-author, “Atlantic Lottery Corp v Babstock: Waiver of Tort Steps Out of the 17th Century, but Uncertainty Persists,” August, 2020
C0-author, “Uber v Heller – The Evolution of Unconscionability,” July, 2020
Co-author, “Construction Act to be Exempt from Suspension of Procedural Time Limits,” April, 2020
Co-author, “Extended Hours for Construction of Essential Projects in the Health Care Sector,” April, 2020
Co-author, “COVID-19 – Health and Safety Implications,” March, 2020
Author, “The Enforceability of the Adjudicator’s Determination and the Potential for Judicial Intervention: Quite a Hill to Climb,” Construction Law Letter | Volume 36, December, 2019
Featured in “A Report on the Introduction of Prompt Payment and Adjudication: Legislation in The Province of Ontario,” International Construction Law Review Journal, January 21, 2019
Co-author, “Security of Payment in the Construction Industry: Does International Experience Provide a Crystal Ball for North America?,” Construction Law Journal, November, 2018
Co-author, “A New Construction Act – What Has Changed and How Will It Affect P3 Projects?,“ Lexpert Special Edition on Infrastructure, September 2018
Featured, “CEO Power Breakfast, Striking a fine balance – The two masterminds behind the Lien Act Review discuss the challenges in balancing freedom of contract with the need for more regulation,” Builders’ Digest
Co-author, “Getting the Deal Through: Construction,” Law Business Research Ltd,. Reproduced with permission from Law Business Research Ltd. This article was first published in Getting the Deal Through: Construction, (contributing editors: Robert S Peckar and Michael S Zicherman, Peckar & Abramson PC)
Author, “The Fog of War,” Construction Law Letter, Volume 30, Number 4
Author, “Insurance issues relevant to Cranes,” Lawyers Weekly, (with Sharon Vogel)
Author, “The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on the Construction Sector and the Construction Bar,” Journal of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers
Author, “An Analysis of Tercon Contractors Ltd. v. British Columbia: Or, If It Walks Like a Duck,” International Construction Law Review (with Sharon Vogel)
Co-author, “A Report on the Introduction of Prompt Payment and Adjudication: Legislation in The Province of Ontario,” International Construction Law Review, January, 2019

Presentations

Speaker, “Termination of Contract: “I just can’t take it anymore!”,” Canadian College of Construction Lawyers (CCCL) Annual Conference and AGM, May, 2024
Presenter, “The Life Cycle of the Expert,” Manitoba Bar Association, February, 2024
Lecturer, “Intelligent Dispute Resolution Design for Construction Projects,” Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia, July, 2023
Co-Presenter, “Collaborative Contracting in the Delivery of Construction Projects: The International Experience,” joint program presented by the Singapore International Commercial Court and the Singapore Academy of Law, April, 2023
Moderator, “Riding a Slippery Slope: The Balancing Act of Risk Allocation in Major Construction and Infrastructure Projects,” International Construction Projects Committee meeting, International Bar Association Annual Conference, November, 2022
Panelist, “Construction Dispute Symposium 2021,” Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, August, 2021
Speaker, “Construction Contracts in Canada from an Owners’ Perspective,” International Federation of Consulting Engineers Official Contract Users Conference, May, 2021
Presenter, “Adjusting to Cultural Differences in ADR,” 32nd Annual Conference, American College of Construction Lawyers, March, 2021
Co-Presenter, “Security of Payment,” University of Melbourne Law School Masters Program in International Construction Law, December, 2020
Presenter, “Construction and Infrastructure Law: The New Landscape,” Canadian Lawyer Webinar, June, 2020
Keynote Speaker, “Prompt Payment and Adjudication,” Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors 2020 Construction and Adjudication Symposium, February, 2020
Speaker, “Construction Disputes,” ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC) Conference: Realizing ADRs Full Value, November, 2019
Speaker, “A concurrent session at the CPPC Forum: Prompt Payment Regime,” Canadian Public Procurement Council, November, 2019
Speaker, “Successfully Using DBs,” Dispute Resolution Board Foundation (DRBF) Conference in Stockholm, Sweden; October, 2019
Speaker, “Ontario’s New Construction Act: Transitioning and Applying the Modernization Provisions,” Osgoode Hall Professional Development Program, December, 2018
Co-Chair and Presenter, “The New Construction Act: What you Need to Know,” Lexpert® Executive Course, November, 2018
Co-Speaker, “Focus on Forward: Doing Things Better or Doing Things Differently,” 3rd Engineering and Construction of Mining Projects Conference, November, 2018
Co-Speaker, “Termination issues: action for damages versus actions for wrongful termination,” International Bar Conference, October, 2018
Speaker, “Introduction of the Interim Adjudication System,” 3rd Annual Managing Risk in Construction Contracts and Projects, February, 2018
Co-Speaker, “Ontario Construction Lien Act Reform,” 91st Annual ORBA Convention & AGM, February, 2018
Speaker, “Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce,” The Senate of Canada
Speaker, “Construction Lien Act – Report Overview,” Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, September, 2016
Co-Chair, “Unlocking Disputes: Construction Topics,” The American and Canadian Colleges of Construction Law, London
Guest Lecturer, “International Contracting,” University of Melbourne Law School, Masters Program in Construction Law
Speaker, “The Future of Construction Law is not what it used to be,” Canadian College of Construction Lawyers Annual Conference, San Francisco
Presenter, “The Collaborative Settlement of Construction Disputes,” Fourth International Construction Law Conference, Melbourne, Australia