Overview

Karen Martin is the Vancouver co-leader of the Construction group, the national co-leader of the Construction group, and a prominent partner in the Infrastructure and PPP and Litigation and Dispute Resolution groups.
Karen is recognized as one of Canada's leading construction and infrastructure lawyers with more than three decades of experience advising on complex construction, infrastructure, transportation, municipal and mining projects. She focuses on resolving project execution challenges and avoiding disputes before they escalate into formal dispute resolution processes.
She is a longstanding Fellow and Board Governor of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, where she previously served as President and as a member of its Executive Committee. Drawing from extensive experience and the latest legal developments, Karen provides strategic advice to clients to minimize legal risk during procurement, design and construction. She also advises on the preparation of construction contracts to support dispute avoidance and helps clients develop proactive solutions to project issues during construction.
When disputes cannot be resolved, Karen acts as counsel in mediations, arbitrations and litigation of construction claims. She also advises on innovative dispute resolution strategies designed to preserve business relationships and minimize cost and disruption. She has acted as a mediator, referee, dispute board member and arbitrator for construction disputes. She has a deep understanding of the technical, engineering and commercial issues that arise on complex projects, as well as the roles and relationships among project stakeholders under various delivery models. This allows her to help clients solve problems and to provide creative, tailored advice on efficient dispute resolution strategies. She has extensive experience in disputes involving tenders, RFPs, construction contracts, builders' liens, engineering issues and negligence claims involving architects and engineers.
Karen also has extensive experience leading legal and expert teams on complex disputes involving large volumes of technical evidence and documentation. She combines proven project management techniques with emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to manage disputes efficiently and cost-effectively and achieve optimal outcomes for clients.
Clients have praised Karen for her pragmatic approach, impressive trial experience and deep sector knowledge, establishing her as a highly regarded figure in the construction industry. She has achieved the highest peer ranking recognitions including a Band 1 Chambers rating and a Legal 500 Hall of Fame rating.
An accomplished author and speaker, Karen frequently addresses complex engineering and construction project issues, including procurement, builders' liens, delay claims, construction disputes and settlement of multi-party litigation.

Practice Areas

• Civil Litigation
• Real Estate
• Construction Law
• Insurance Law

Bar Information

Called to the bar: 1985 (BC); 2011 (YT)