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, identifying solutions before issues become uncontrollably contentious.

Disputes don’t always result in early resolution, and I engage for my clients in mediation, arbitration, large, document intensive, 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, tunnelling, 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 skiis 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 Expert 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 (647) 847-8221