Joel Heard

Partner, Commercial

Toronto

(416) 862-6847 

[email protected]

Bar Admission: Ontario, 1994 |

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Areas of Expertise

Joel is a partner in Osler’s Toronto office, practising in the area of construction law. He has significant experience advising on domestic and international projects of all sizes and across a variety of industries including energy (including electrical power generation and transmission projects, and natural gas transmission and distribution pipeline construction), infrastructure, mining, manufacturing, transportation, education and healthcare.

Joel’s practice includes advising and assisting clients with respect to such matters as risk identification, allocation and mitigation, project structuring and teaming arrangements (including traditional, design-build, EPC, construction management, public-private partnerships, alternative financing and procurements, joint ventures, consortia and subcontracts), procurement, contract negotiation and documentation, project execution issues, and claims analysis and avoidance.

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. 

Areas of Expertise

Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Construction (Nationwide – Canada)
  • The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Recognized in Construction Law; Infrastructure Law
  • Best Lawyers In Canada: Recognized in Construction Law
  • Construction Law Society of America: Fellow

Media Mentions

  • Osler News Jun 6, 2023

    16 Osler lawyers recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2023

    Congratulations to 16 of our lawyers for their inclusion in the Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2023.

    Read more
  • Osler News Jun 15, 2022

    25 Osler lawyers recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2022

    Congratulations to 25 of our lawyers for their inclusion in the Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2022.

    Read more

Credentials

Education

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

Languages

  • English

Professional Affiliations

  • Ontario Bar Association, Construction and Infrastructure Section; former Executive Member.
  • American Bar Association, Forum on Construction Law.

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.