
Overview
Joe Cosentino is a partner in the Dispute Resolution Group at Goodmans. His practice focuses on construction law, construction contracts and commercial litigation.
Joe’s construction law practice involves negotiating major contracts, litigating liens and resolving disputes for owners, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and lenders. His practice also involves a broad range of commercial litigation matters, including bankruptcy/insolvency litigation.
Joe regularly negotiates and drafts complex construction contracts on various high profile, high value infrastructure and other large capital projects throughout Ontario. He has also worked with owners, contractors and architects in updating and supplementing their Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) and other types of contract documents. Joe has in-depth experience in litigating complex construction disputes, including arbitration proceedings between owners, developers, contractors and subcontractors.
Joe is recognized as a leading construction lawyer by Chambers Canada, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Best Lawyers in Canada and Legal Media Group’s Expert Guides. He is also recognized in the Lexpert Special Edition: Energy, and the Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure and is featured as a stand-out lawyer by Acritas Stars. Joe is also recommended by The Legal 500 Canada (construction).
Featured Work
Joe’s representative work includes acting for:
- RioCan REIT (TSX:REI.UN), Allied Properties REIT (TSX:AP.UN) and Diamondcorp (collectively, "The Well JV" – a mixed use development) in connection with the negotiation and drafting of construction contracts with respect to the underground structures, condominium podiums, retail and condominium rental tower, and the drafting of the construction contracts for RioCan and Woodbourne on various other buildings in The Well development
- Revera Inc. in connection with the re-development and construction of long term care facilities
- various developers in relation to the drafting of architect and construction management and trade contracts for major condominium projects in Toronto and elsewhere in Canada
- specialty contractors of large scale solar and wind energy construction projects with respect to contract drafting and litigation matters
- the owner with respect to ongoing development and construction of a new mixed use, high density project in Vaughan, Ontario
- a large general contractor in connection with various construction related litigation matters in Ontario and Quebec
- specialty trade contractors in connection with significant claims regarding various infrastructure, condominium and industrial projects
- Leading provider of nuclear waste treatment and management in relation to litigation matters
- Construction matters related to the development of the East Harbour and Unilever precinct in Toronto
Awards & Recognition
-
Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure Canada's Leading Infrastructure Lawyers 2023
-
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory Recognized, Construction Law 2023
-
Chambers Canada Recognized, Construction 2023
-
The Legal 500 Canada Recommended, Construction 2023
-
Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized, Construction Law 2023
-
Lexpert Special Edition: Energy Recognized, Canada's Leading Energy Lawyers 2022
Credentials
Professional Involvement
Credentials
- Osgoode Hall Law School, LL.B., 1995
- University of Toronto, M.A., 1991
- University of Toronto, B.A., 1990, Hons. in Political Science and History
Professional Affiliations
- Law Society of Ontario
- Canadian Bar Association
- Toronto Construction Association
- The Advocates’ Society
Call to Bar
- Ontario
Insights
-
Construction and Infrastructure
Court of Appeal Validates Statutory Trust Created by Construction Act Despite Bankruptcy
On January 14, 2019, the Ontario Court of Appeal released its decision in The Guarantee Company of Canada v Royal Bank of Canada. The decision turned on the question of whether the statutory trust… -
Construction and Infrastructure
Bill 57 and Amendments to the Construction Act
The Construction Lien Amendment Act was passed in December 2017 and substantively changed the Construction Lien Act. Its primary purposes were to: (i) modernize the existing Construction Lien Act… -
Construction and Infrastructure
Doing Work When No Contract is in Place: Navigating the Risks in Construction Contracts
On May 5, 2011, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice released its reasons for dismissing a motion for summary judgment in 1473662 Ontario Limited v. Avgroup Consulting Services Limited. In this… -
Construction and Infrastructure
Court of Appeal Opens the Door on Breach of Trust Remedies
On March 16, 2010, the Ontario Court of Appeal released its reasons upholding the ruling of the Divisional Court in Sunview Doors Limited v. Academy Doors & Windows Ltd., Vlasis Pappas, Vlasios…
News & Events
-
Construction and Infrastructure
Goodmans Recognized in the Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2023
We are delighted to announce that the Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2023 has once again recognized Goodmans LLP lawyers among Canada's experts in the infrastructure… -
Banking and Financial Services
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2023 Continues to Recognize Goodmans
We are proud to announce we have once again been recognized in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2023.85 Goodmans lawyers have been recognized as top-tier in their fields and leaders across… -
Banking and Financial Services
The Legal 500 Canada Continues to Recognize Goodmans with Top Tier Rankings
We are pleased to announce Goodmans LLP has once again received top tier recognition from The Legal 500 Canada in their 2023 Guide released today. Recognition from The Legal 500 is based on…