Lawyer Profile
Bernie McGarva
Toronto, Ontario
Overview
Bernie is an experienced litigator, mediator and arbitrator with an excellent track record of resolution. For more than 35 years in practice, Bernie has appeared before numerous professional tribunals and all levels of the court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. His specialized expertise in professional liability and construction law has earned him recognition as a leading lawyer in these fields. A skilled negotiator with a calm demeanour, clients trust in Bernie’s ability to resolve disputes efficiently and fairly.
Bernie is a member of the firm's Construction Group, Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group and Projects & Infrastructure Group. He practises commercial and construction litigation, with a focus on construction and infrastructure disputes, securities litigation, shareholders' rights disputes, and errors and omissions defence. Bernie’s portfolio of reported cases also includes extensive work in the area of tax appeals acting for commercial clients in disputes with federal and provincial taxing authorities. His professional liability practice includes advising architects, engineers, doctors, dentists, social workers and lawyers on insured negligence claims and discipline-related matters.
For more than a decade, Bernie has also been offering mediation and arbitration services. He has mediated or arbitrated over 600 cases in areas including construction, insurance, errors and omissions, commercial and real estate contracts, shareholder disputes, franchises and estates. To book a mediation or arbitration date, please contact Kristy Fiddes (kfiddes@airdberlis.com or 416.863.1500 ext. 3132).
Counsel for Albert Friedberg in a landmark case involving year-end commodity straddles and cultural donations
Counsel to Maple Leaf Gardens Limited in litigation with the Public Trustee of Ontario
Represented a defendant in CIBC v. Goodyear, Sayers, et al. ($10 million mechanical snow melting failure at CIBC headquarters in Toronto)
Represented plaintiff in Concord Adex v. R. V. Anderson et al. (driving range golf net failure)
Represented Kostuch Engineering in the South Nation River Conservation Authority case, in the Supreme Court of Canada
Practice Areas
Bar Information
Called to the bar: 1980 (ON)