Lia practices complex construction and commercial litigation. She is a dedicated advocate who is committed to client service, and to identifying and obtaining practical results that meet her clients’ objectives – whether in court, or out.
Her practice primarily involves disputes arising out of construction and infrastructure projects. This covers all aspects of construction law, including disputes involving contracts and specifications, construction liens, trusts, bond and insurance claims, delay claims, bidding and tendering matters, and negligence claims. Lia also has significant experience with complex commercial litigation, including having litigated a number of high-profile commercial disputes in the infrastructure industry.
Highlights of Lia’s most recent work include: representing the City of Toronto in complex multi-party litigation arising out of the Union Station Redevelopment Project; twice striking claims brought against Dundee Kilmer Development in relation to the development of the 2015 Pan/Parapan AM Games Athletes’ Village; representing Cintra in respect of a dispute involving the $3.25 billion sale of a stake in Ontario’s Highway 407 toll road; defending Bondfield Construction Company against bond, lien and trust claims arising out of the Sheridan College Hazel McCallion Campus expansion; and successfully obtaining relief under the oppression remedy for Estee Lauder in respect of its minority-shareholder interest in Deciem Beauty Group Inc.
In addition to the above, Lia coordinates Osler’s Pro Bono Ontario volunteer program and is a passionate supporter of pro bono initiatives in Ontario. She is also an executive member of the Construction and Infrastructure section of the Ontario Bar Association, and an avid cyclist who coordinates Team Osler’s participation in the Ride to Conquer Cancer each year.
She is recognized as a leading construction and infrastructure litigation practitioner by The Best Lawyers in Canada.
Areas of Expertise
Representative Work
- Nieuport Aviation Infrastructure Partners
Nieuport Aviation in obtaining a judgment of over $130 million against Porter Airlines in the case of Porter Airlines Inc. v. Nieuport Aviation
- Delphi Energy Corp.
Delphi Energy Corp. in its restructuring transaction under the CCAA
- Utilities Kingston
Utilities Kingston in its $30 million construction litigation dispute with North America Construction
- Nieuport Aviation in obtaining a judgment of over $130 million against Porter Airlines in the case of Porter Airlines Inc. v. Nieuport Aviation
- Delphi Energy Corp. in its restructuring transaction under the CCAA
- Utilities Kingston in its $30 million construction litigation dispute with North America Construction
- A large international developer of transportation infrastructure in ongoing proceedings relating to a dispute over the sale of a significant interest in a toll road
- A City on litigation and construction lien matters relating to the $500 million revitalization of a major transportation hub
- A leading Canadian contractor in litigation and construction lien matters relating to the construction of a campus building
- A global beauty conglomerate in ongoing oppression proceedings relating to its minority shareholder position in a Canadian beauty manufacturer and retailer
- A City/utility regarding a number of construction matters, including a wastewater treatment plant
- A Canadian corporation in a transfer pricing appeal to the Tax Court of Canada relating to the international sales structure of the corporate group
- A global mining company and a number of its officers and directors in the successful defence of a proposed securities class action making various claims in respect of the company’s disclosure concerning a specific mine
- A leading hotel chain in respect of ongoing class action proceedings throughout Canada relating to direct marketing fees
Nieuport Aviation in obtaining a judgment of over $130 million against Porter Airlines in the case of Porter Airlines Inc. v. Nieuport Aviation
Delphi Energy Corp. in its restructuring transaction under the CCAA
Utilities Kingston in its $30 million construction litigation dispute with North America Construction
- Delphi Energy Corp. in its restructuring transaction under the CCAA
- Utilities Kingston in its $30 million construction litigation dispute with North America Construction
- A large international developer of transportation infrastructure in ongoing proceedings relating to a dispute over the sale of a significant interest in a toll road
- A City on litigation and construction lien matters relating to the $500 million revitalization of a major transportation hub
- A leading Canadian contractor in litigation and construction lien matters relating to the construction of a campus building
- A global beauty conglomerate in ongoing oppression proceedings relating to its minority shareholder position in a Canadian beauty manufacturer and retailer
- A City/utility regarding a number of construction matters, including a wastewater treatment plant
- A Canadian corporation in a transfer pricing appeal to the Tax Court of Canada relating to the international sales structure of the corporate group
- A global mining company and a number of its officers and directors in the successful defence of a proposed securities class action making various claims in respect of the company’s disclosure concerning a specific mine
- A leading hotel chain in respect of ongoing class action proceedings throughout Canada relating to direct marketing fees
Latest Insights
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Webinar May 10, 2024
Project owners as employers under the OHSA and other implications of the SCC’s R. v Greater Sudbury (City) decision
Members of Osler’s Construction and Infrastructure, Litigation and Employment and Labour teams for a 30-minute webinar to discuss the case and its...
Read more
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Blog Apr 16, 2024
Judicial review of adjudicator’s determination granted by Ontario Divisional Court
The Ontario Divisional Court has released its first decision allowing an application for judicial review of an adjudicator’s determination....
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Blog Dec 21, 2023
Federal Prompt Payment for Construction Work Act comes into force
Coming into force earlier this month, the Federal Prompt Payment for Construction Work Act represents the culmination of a years-long...
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Blog Dec 18, 2023
Construction project owners potentially liable as ‘employers’ under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act
A recent split decision of the Supreme Court of Canada carries significant implications for construction project owners, who could potentially be...
Read more
Awards and Recognition
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Best Lawyers: Recognized in Construction Law
Media Mentions
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Osler News Mar 6, 2024
Pro Bono Ontario’s 2023 ‘Honour Roll’ includes 13 Osler lawyers
Pro Bono Ontario named 13 Osler lawyers to its second annual Honour Roll.
Read more -
Media Mentions Dec 13, 2023
Interview with Lia Bruschetta – Advocacy Matters
Read about the award-winning volunteer work of Lia Bruschetta, partner in Osler’s Litigation Group, in the Fall 2023 of Advocacy Matters.
Read more -
Osler News May 16, 2023
Osler litigation lawyers named to Pro Bono Ontario’s ‘Honour Roll’
Pro Bono Ontario has recognized five Osler lawyers for their work in the last year on its first-ever Honour Roll.
Read more -
Osler News Feb 16, 2023
Osler welcomes 10 new partners and two new counsel in 2023
Osler is proud to announce the addition of 10 new partners and two new counsel across four of our offices, effective March 1, 2023.
Read more
Community Involvement
- Law Help Ontario, Duty Counsel Coordinator (Osler) and Volunteer
Speaking and Writing
Speaking Engagements
Ontario Bar Association, Class Actions Law Update
Speaker, February 14, 2019
Osler Litigation Skills Bootcamp, Drafting Pleadings Workshop
Speaker, November 15, 2018
Published Work
- A party with a purpose, Canadian Lawyer Magazine, 2010
- Lia Bruschetta’s view from the top // Going in house, Precedent Magazine 2014
- Business Leadership for Woman Lawyers Program, April 2018, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
Credentials
Education
- Dalhousie University, LL.B
- University of British Columbia, B.A.
Languages
- English
Professional Affiliations
- The Advocates’ Society
- Canadian Bar Association
- Law Society of Ontario
- Ontario Bar Association
- Young Women in the Law
