Joel Heard

Joel Heard

Joel Heard is a partner in McCarthy Tétrault's Toronto office, practising in the area of construction law. He has significant experience in projects of all sizes in Canada, the United States and abroad, across a variety of industries including energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and healthcare.

Mr. Heard's practice includes advising and assisting clients with respect to such matters as risk identification, allocation and mitigation, project structuring and teaming arrangements (including traditional, design-build, EPC, construction management, public-private partnerships, alternative financing and procurements, joint ventures, consortia and subcontracts), procurement, contract negotiation and documentation, project execution issues, and claims analysis and avoidance.

Prior to joining McCarthy Tétrault, Mr. Heard worked as in-house counsel for several years at one of the world's largest engineering and construction companies, where he served as Senior Legal Counsel before resigning his position to establish his own boutique firm, Jutras Greco Heard LLP, which focused on construction and commercial projects.

A frequent speaker and presenter, Mr. Heard has lectured on engineering law for several years at the University of Guelph. Some of Mr. Heard's recent speaking engagements include:

· The Intensive Course in Construction Law (Osgoode Professional Development - January 2009)

· The Fundamentals of Construction Contracts in Ontario (Lorman Education Services - February 2006 & February 2007)

· Managing Construction Projects (Lorman Education Services - December 2006, January 2008, February 2008, April 2008)

· Lecturer - Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association Gold Seal Construction Law Course (January 2008)

· Turning Construction Risk into a Competitive Advantage (Speaker and Co-Sponsor/Organizer of Seminar at Queen's Landing, Niagara-on-the-Lake - February 2002)

· Lecturer - Engineering Law and Ethics, University of Guelph (2001-2004)

Mr. Heard was called to the Ontario bar in 1994 and received his JD from the University of Toronto. He also holds a B.Comm. (with honours) from Queen's University.

Mr. Heard currently serves as a member of the Executive of the Ontario Bar Association Construction Law Section, and is a member of the American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry.