Lia is a partner in Osler’s Disputes and Project Development and Finance groups, with a practice dedicated to major project and infrastructure disputes. She regularly advises owners, contractors, joint ventures, and consortiums on complex litigation and international/domestic arbitration across the transportation, power, energy, nuclear, and manufacturing sectors.
An accomplished advocate at trial and appellate levels, Lia brings deep subject-matter expertise across all stages of project delivery. Her advocacy covers delay and disruption claims, deficiencies, change orders, liquidated damages, contract interpretation, construction liens and trusts, bond and insurance claims, mortgage priorities, and public procurement disputes.
Representative Work
- Nieuport Aviation: Secured a court judgment exceeding $130 million against Porter Airlines regarding the passenger terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
- Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL): Successfully defended AECL at trial and on appeal in a high-profile procurement law claim regarding the duty of fairness during the refurbishment of CANDU nuclear reactors.
- Dundee Kilmer Development: Successfully struck out claims on two separate occasions relating to the development of the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Athletes’ Village.
- Cintra: Advised one of the world’s leading private transport infrastructure developers in a dispute involving the $3.25 billion sale of a stake in Ontario’s Highway 407.
- City of Toronto: Represented the City in complex, multi-party litigation arising from the Union Station Redevelopment Project.
- Strabag: Acted in a construction lien dispute with a subcontractor on the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension transit project.
- Allied Universal Canada: Represented a premier security provider in ongoing litigation and judicial review proceedings arising from a multi-billion-dollar public procurement for airport screening services.
- Bondfield Construction Company: Defended against complex construction lien and trust claims connected to the Sheridan College Hazel McCallion Campus expansion.
- Utilities Kingston: Acting in ongoing multi-party litigation and construction lien disputes involving the Portsmouth Pumping Station Redirect and Trunk Watermain project.
- Sofina Foods Inc.: Represented one of Canada’s top protein manufacturers in construction lien and contract termination litigation involving primary processing facilities and agricultural construction projects.
- Algonquin Power: Represented the owner in litigation stemming from the termination of a contractor on an emergency concrete spillway project at the Long Sault Rapids Generating Station.
- Amico Design Build and Sacyr Canada: defended construction lien claims involving the construction of a children’s treatment center.
- Strabag: Acted in a construction lien dispute with a subcontractor on the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension transit project.
- Allied Universal Canada: Represented a premier security provider in ongoing litigation and judicial review proceedings arising from a multi-billion-dollar public procurement for airport screening services.
- Bondfield Construction Company: Defended against complex construction lien and trust claims connected to the Sheridan College Hazel McCallion Campus expansion.
- Utilities Kingston: Acting in ongoing multi-party litigation and construction lien disputes involving the Portsmouth Pumping Station Redirect and Trunk Watermain project.
- Sofina Foods Inc.: Represented one of Canada’s top protein manufacturers in construction lien and contract termination litigation involving primary processing facilities and agricultural construction projects.
- Algonquin Power: Represented the owner in litigation stemming from the termination of a contractor on an emergency concrete spillway project at the Long Sault Rapids Generating Station.
- Amico Design Build and Sacyr Canada: defended construction lien claims involving the construction of a children’s treatment center.
Latest Insights
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Osler Update June 4, 2026
Construction law: British Columbia’s Construction Prompt Payment Act
The consultation period is now open for British Columbia’s Construction Prompt Payment Act.
Read more
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Blog March 2, 2026
Ontario Construction Act amendments now in effect
Amendments include modifications to the provisions on prompt payment, adjudication and the payment of holdback.
Read more -
Webinar February 3, 2026
Amendments to Ontario’s Construction Act
Osler’s Construction and Infrastructure team discusses project delivery, as well as claims and adjudication strategies.
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Blog December 11, 2025
British Columbia’s Construction Prompt Payment Act: from cash-flow friction to clear framework
Recently introduced legislation in B.C. sets clear timelines for construction invoicing and payments.
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Awards and Recognition
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Recognized in Construction Law; Alternative Dispute Resolution
—Best Lawyers -
Recognized in Construction Law
—Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory -
Recognized in Infrastructure
—Lexpert Special Edition
Media Mentions
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Osler News May 6, 2026
17 Osler lawyers recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2026
Osler is pleased to announce that 17 of our lawyers are featured in the Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2026. This special issue...
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Osler News March 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.
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Media Mentions December 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.
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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
Community Involvement
- Law Help Ontario, Duty Counsel Coordinator (Osler) and Volunteer
Speaking and Writing
Speaking Engagements
Osgoode Professional Development Ontario Construction Liens – Advanced Issues and Strategies
Speaker, March 27, 2026
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
- Ontario Bar Association, Construction & Infrastructure Section, Chair-elect
- Ontario Bar Association Foundation, Trustee
- The Advocates’ Society, Construction Law, Former Executive Member
- Canadian Bar Association
- Law Society of Ontario
- Young Women in the Law
