Ian Gosselin focuses primarily on infrastructure, engineering and construction law, an area in which he has considerable experience, helping contracting authorities to identify different methods for the realization of their infrastructure projects and advising and assisting them until completion. His advice is also frequently sought in connection with calls for tenders for service, procurement and construction projects.
Combining his considerable experience in infrastructure, engineering and construction law with his expertise in commercial litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, Mr. Gosselin also advises and represents owners, manufacturers, contractors, engineers, architects and other construction professionals in litigation before the courts of Quebec and arbitration tribunals. He has particular expertise in industrial, civil engineering and energy matters, having been involved in major litigation pertaining to cogeneration. He also acts as a mediator in civil and commercial disputes.
Mr. Gosselin is Québec Chair of our litigation group.
Selected client work
Mr. Gosselin has represented the following clients:
· Quebecor Media Inc. in negotiations with the City of Québec for the management and operation of a $400 million multipurpose arena to be built in the city and in legal proceedings taken by opponents of the project
· A greenhouse owner in the arbitration of a $3-million claim against a manufacturer for the cost of corrective measures and lost production due to the failure of an artificial lighting system to perform as specified
· A process equipment installation contractor in a $5-million claim for impact costs in connection with a pulp and paper mill construction project
· A major Quebec engineering firm which was a member of a consortium responsible for the construction of a biomass cogeneration plant in a $40-million arbitration of multiple claims
· Steel fabrication and erection subcontractors in litigation for amounts ranging from $500,000 to $2 million for extra costs incurred on institutional and private projects
· A bonding company in multiple claims by the subcontractors of a general contractor who had become insolvent
· An institutional owner in a $30-million claim by a bidder contesting the award of a construction contract to another bidder
· Bidders experiencing difficulties in a call for tender process
· A cooling systems contractor in litigation involving claims for extra costs or damages ranging from $100,000 to $5 million incurred in industrial projects
Speaking engagements
· "La gestion efficace du calendrier de construction pour réaliser vos objectifs d'affaires" (Moderator, workshops), Superconférence sur le droit de la construction, Canadian Institute, Montréal, November 28-29, 2007.
· "Le respect de l'échéancier de réalisation : la gestion des changements, des retards et de la perte de productivité" (Moderator, Plenary Session), Gestion des litiges dans le domaine de la construction, Canadian Institute, Montréal, April 26, 2006.
· "Responsabilité de l'entrepreneur et des professionnels" (Instructor), Continuing Education, Construction Law Section, Canadian Bar Association, Montréal, February 22, 2006.
· "De quelques réflexions sur certaines habitudes et coutumes dans l'industrie de la construction," 9th Annual Meeting of the Corporation des entrepreneurs généraux du Québec, Gatineau, February 10, 2006.
· "Le sous-traitant dans la jungle des contrats, des extra et des réclamations," 5e Journée d'étude sur les réclamations sur contrats, Continuing Education Department, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Université Laval, Québec, December 1, 2005.
· Troisième édition du Forum sur la construction - Derniers développements légaux, financiers et techniques en matière de construction (Co-Chair), Insight Information Co., Montréal, March 22-23, 2005.
· "Petit guide pratique pour prévenir les conflits longs et coûteux ou pour en restreindre la durée et les coûts : de quelques réflexions sur certaines habitudes et coutumes dans l'industrie de la construction," 4e Journée sur les Réclamations sur contrats, Continuing Education Department, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Université Laval, Québec, February 9, 2005.
· "De quelques moyens mis à la disposition des intervenants de la construction pour prévenir les litiges ou en minimiser les effets ainsi que pour faciliter le recouvrement des créances," Second Annual Construction Conference, Insight Information Co., November 6, 2002.
· "Maximiser le recouvrement des créances ou minimiser sa responsabilité : quelques moyens mis à la disposition des entrepreneurs généraux pour faire valoir leurs créances ou contrer celles de leurs sous-traitants," Annual Meeting - Corporation des entrepreneurs généraux du Québec, Mont-Tremblant, January 12, 2002.
· "L'hypothèque légale de la construction : guide pratique pour maximiser le recouvrement des créances ou minimiser sa responsabilité," Seminar on l'hypothèque légale de la construction et les appels d'offres et les règles édictées par le Code du BSDQ, Lorman Education Services, Québec, March 21, 2001.
Rankings and recognitions
· Best Lawyers in Canada, 2012 - Construction Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Director and Officer Liability
· Best Lawyers' Lawyer of the Year, 2010 - Construction Law, Quebec City area
· Best Lawyers in Canada, 2006-2010 - Construction Law
· The 2008 Lexpert /The American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada
· Martindale-Hubbell, BV Peer Review Rating
Memberships and activities
· Canadian Bar Association
· Past counsellor, Board of the Junior Bar Association of Québec
· Fellow, Canadian College of Construction Lawyers (2009 -)
Related Publications
The do's and don'ts of doing business with foreign suppliers
The decision to outsource manufacturing processes is a difficult one for many domestic companies.
30/10/2009
Related News
Les meilleurs avocats de Montréal
Yves Fortier, Paul Raymond, Wilfrid Lefebvre and Ian Gosselin are mentioned in La Presse for their recognition as Best Lawyers' Lawyers of the Year.
01/04/2010
La région de Québec a de nouveaux besoins juridiques
In a profile of the Québec legal community published in Le Soleil, Carl Tremblay and Ian Gosselin explain that companies in the region are focused on international markets and that law firms need to do the same.
22/02/2011
Québec, terreau fertile / La course aux stages
Carl Tremblay explains in Le Soleil that Ogilvy Renault's combination with Norton Rose Group is not only attractive to the corporate community but also for young lawyers.
22/02/2011
La Fondation François-Bourrin amasse 7 500 $
Québec Hebdo highlights the honorary chairmanship of Ian Gosselin at the 24th edition of the François-Bourrin Foundation golf tournament.
16/06/2009