This session has been cancelled

1.5 ConEd Learning Hours

This presentation explores the legal risks architects may face as a result of climate change, and provides insight on how to plan for and mitigate those risks. The speakers are from Glaholt Bowles LLP, a construction law firm whose lawyers regularly advise architects and other design professionals on their contracts and their roles and responsibilities on projects, and represent them during disputes.

The presentation will provide an overview of laws, treaties, and legislative and other initiatives designed to deal with climate change at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels. It explores how climate change affects the construction industry and the practice of architecture, including resilient, sustainable, and green building design concepts; case studies of recent sustainably built architectural projects will be provided. The (potential) impact of climate change on an architect’s standard of care will be examined, including strategies for planning for and avoiding risks in contracts and in practice, as well as the approach professional architect organizations in Canada and around the world are taking with respect to climate change. The presentation will conclude with a question-and-answer section.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn the laws, treaties, and legislative and other initiatives regarding climate change that may impact the practice of architecture.
2. Learn about different types of ‘climate-conscious’ design, including resilient, sustainable, and green building.
3. Learn the legal issues and risks for architects, including the (potential) impact of an architect’s standard of care.
4. Learn strategies for mitigating these risks in contracts.

Speakers:

Lena Wang, ACSB (partner, Glaholt Bowles LLP)

Lena Wang joined Glaholt Bowles LLP as an associate in 2014. She has experience working on a variety of disputes related to large infrastructure, industrial, and commercial projects. Lena has represented owners, general contractors, and architects in proceedings involving liens, trust claims, delay claims, and professional negligence claims. Lena has appeared at all levels of Ontario courts, where she has experience representing clients in all stages of litigation at trial and on appeal. Lena is an Associate of Canadian Surety Bonding (ACSB), a designation conferred by the Surety Association of Canada. Lena is a section executive of the Canadian Bar Association’s (CBA’s) Construction and Infrastructure section.

Jackie van Leeuwen (associate, Glaholt Bowles LLP)

Jackie van Leeuwen is a construction lawyer. She joined Glaholt Bowles LLP as an associate after articling with the firm. She advocates for clients during litigation, arbitration, and mediation. She also provides proactive advice to clients relating to construction, design, and other agreements. Jackie most frequently acts in disputes involving contracts, specifications, liens, bond claims, delay claims, deficiencies, and professional negligence. She represents clients at all levels of the construction supply chain, including developers, owners, general contractors, subcontractors, sureties, and architects. Jackie is currently serving as a Member at Large of the Ontario Bar Association’s Construction and Infrastructure Section Executive.