Joel Heard

Joel Heard

Partner, Commercial

Toronto

(416) 862-6847 

[email protected]

Bar Admission: Ontario, 1994

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Areas of Expertise

Major ProjectsNuclear EnergyDefence, Security and AerospaceGovernment and Public SectorHydrogen and Alternative FuelsRenewable EnergyPower and UtilitiesEnergyMining and Natural ResourcesInfrastructureHealthPublic Private Partnerships (P3)ConstructionProcurement

Joel has more than 25 years of experience in construction and infrastructure law. He has acted for public and private-sector owners, operators, lenders, engineers, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers on capital projects across a variety of industries including energy, infrastructure, mining, manufacturing, defence, housing and healthcare.

His practice is focused on the “front-end” of projects: planning, advising on project and commercial structures and procurement, and contract drafting and negotiation, with the objective of minimizing risk and avoiding claims and disputes. Joel’s experience includes design-build (including progressive design-build), EPC, construction management (services and at-risk), public-private partnerships, joint ventures, and advising on project execution issues.

Prior to joining Osler, Joel was a partner at a major Canadian law firm and worked as in-house counsel for several years at one of the world’s largest engineering and construction companies before establishing his own boutique firm focused on construction and commercial projects. 

Joel is a Fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, and a Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America, both invitation-only honorary associations of preeminent construction lawyers dedicated to promoting advocacy and ethical standards in construction law. He is the immediate past-Chair of the Project Delivery and Construction Technology Division of the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law.

Areas of Expertise

ConstructionDefence, Security and AerospaceEnergyGovernment and Public SectorHealthHydrogen and Alternative FuelsInfrastructureMajor ProjectsMining and Natural ResourcesNuclear EnergyPower and UtilitiesProcurementPublic Private Partnerships (P3)Renewable Energy

Representative Work

  • City of Toronto on the procurement, project management, design, construction, equipment supply and other commercial contracts and arrangements in respect of the expansion and renovation of BMO Field in preparation for FIFA World Cup 2026
  • Bruce Power on all aspects of the planning, commercial strategy, procurement, engineering materials and equipment supply, construction and other services agreements in respect of its Major Component Replacement (MCR) Program under which Units 3 to 8 of the Bruce Power Nuclear Generating Station are being refurbished between 2020 and 2033
  • Bruce Power on its first-of-a-kind isotope production system for the production of lutetium-177, a medical isotope used in the treatment of neuroendoctrine tumours and prostate cancer
  • Loblaw Companies on the construction of a 1.2 million-square-foot, fully-automated, multi-temperature distribution centre
  • A major Canadian steel producer on its multi-billion dollar decarbonization project
  • Bruce Power on the prefabricated modular building supply and on-site assembly and construction contracts for its Protected Area Office Complex
  • City of Toronto on the design, procurement and construction of the New Etobicoke Civic Centre
  • CreateTO on a 10-storey mass timber building in the City of Toronto to deliver affordable and market rental housing units
  • CreateTO on the design-build contracts for two, three-storey, multi-unit affordable rental apartment buildings for the City of Toronto, leveraging a rapid delivery model
  • 720 Solutions, a Canadian modular progressive design-builder, on a 147-unit affordable housing project in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
  • Marco Group and the Cahill Group on P3 design-build contracts for a Long-Term Care Facility in Corner Brook, NL and the New Adult Mental Health and Addictions Facility in St. John’s, NL, and on its proposal to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for a P3 new correctional facility
  • Marco Group on a P3 design-build contract for an acute care hospital in Corner Brook, NL
  • A major energy transportation and distribution company on several pipeline construction projects
  • A Canadian shipbuilder in connection with the design and construction of warships for the Royal Canadian Navy under the Canadian Department of National Defence Arctic Offshore Patrol (AOPS) Shipbuilding Program
  • Atomic Energy of Canada Limited on two major nuclear power technology development, design and licensing projects and a strategic, long-term services and equipment supply relationship
  • Infrastructure Ontario and hospital sponsors on several P3 projects including the Pan Am Games Athletes Village Project in Toronto, ON, Bridgepoint Hospital, St. Michaels’ Hospital, Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, Hamilton General Hospital, Henderson General Hospital, Victoria Hospital (London) and St. Joseph’s Hospital
  • Developers in respect of EPC contracts on numerous renewable energy projects, including: a 270 MW wind power project in Ontario; a 210 MW wind power project in Alberta, a 150 MW wind power project in Ontario, and several 10 MW solar power farm projects in Ontario
  • Project Lenders in respect of construction, and turbine supply, service and maintenance contracts on several wind power projects in Ontario and British Columbia
  • A major international natural resource company in connection with construction, engineering and equipment supply contracts for various mining projects, as well as standard contract templates for construction, consulting services and equipment design/supply for use in its Canadian and international operations
  • An international mining company on a heavy rail and deep-water port P3 project
  • A design-build-operate contractor in connection with the development of a new P3 energy-from-waste facility
  • Canadian Tire Corporation Limited with respect to the construction and operation of the gas stations and associated convenience stores in connection with the redevelopment of the Province of Ontario’s 400 series highway service centres

 

 

Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Construction (Nationwide – Canada). Respondent comments made to Chambers:
    • “Joel Heard understands construction and manages risk and reward concepts fluidly.”
    • “Joel provides excellent and timely advice.”
    • “He is whip-smart and I can always count on him for thorough and thoughtful advice”.
  • The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Recognized in Construction Law; Infrastructure Law
  • Best Lawyers In Canada: Recognized in Construction Law
  • Construction Lawyers Society of America: Fellow
  • Adam Scott Collegiate Vocational Institute: Hall of Honour

Credentials

Education

  • University of Toronto, J.D.
  • Queen’s University, B.Comm. (with Honours)

Professional Affiliations

  • Law Society of Ontario
  • Fellow, Canadian College of Construction Lawyers
  • Fellow, Construction Lawyers Society of America
  • Ontario Bar Association, Construction and Infrastructure Section; former Executive Member
  • Canadian Bar Association, National Construction Law Section
  • American Bar Association, Forum on Construction Law; Immediate Past Chair, Project Delivery and Construction Technology Division

Osler is a leading business law firm practising internationally from offices across Canada and in New York. Our clients include industry and business leaders in all segments of the market and at various stages in the growth of their businesses. We have built our reputation on our commitment to our clients' success and the experience, expertise and collaborative approach for which we are recognized. We believe that our success is a reflection of our clients' success.