Andrew Gurlesky - Lawyer
Clients generally don’t call me unless they have a problem. Over the past 39 years, I’ve had many of those calls, resulting in opportunities to work together with people in the construction industry to achieve positive outcomes.
Most problems relate to disputes over non-performance. The nature of those disputes has varied - complex claims for payment, termination, performance errors, delay, loss of productivity, and costs of change. My involvement is often early, day-to-day, ongoing inquiries; addressing problems, and identifying solutions before issues become uncontrollably contentious.
Disputes don’t always result in early resolution, and I engage my clients in mediation, arbitration, and large, document-intensive, and lengthy litigation in courts at all levels in Ontario.
The projects and industries have been diverse: heavy industrial, commercial, hospitals, high-rise residential/commercial, energy, tunneling, and mining.
I work with clients in negotiating, structuring, and drafting project agreements, assessing, managing, and allocating risk – bringing to bear risk experience gained through litigation.
I believe that successful problem resolution requires effective communication and understanding with clients, to develop an early assessment of target or acceptable outcomes – then plan and act to achieve those outcomes bearing in mind the practical and economic realities.
Beyond day-to-day practice, I have presented many seminars and lectures to lawyers and the industry, on a variety of relevant topics including claims, liens, trusts, project and contract drafting, risk avoidance and management, and even probability theory-based outcome/settlement analysis. I value sharing my perspectives and experience through the teaching process.
When I’m not solving problems, you may find me sliding on skis and boards (snow and water), riding one of my 5 bikes (road and mountain), or playing one of my 10 guitars.
Professional Peer Recognition – Construction
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory – since 2012
The Best Lawyers in Canada – since 2010
Martindale-Hubbell – since 2001
Fellow and former Governor of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers
You can reach me at: agurlesky@constructlegal.ca or 416-458-0678