Lia practices complex construction and commercial litigation. She is a dedicated advocate who is committed to client service, and to identifying and obtaining practical results that meet her clients’ objectives – whether in court, or out.
Her practice primarily involves disputes arising out of construction and infrastructure projects. This covers all aspects of construction law, including disputes involving contracts and specifications, construction liens, trusts, bond and insurance claims, delay claims, bidding and tendering matters, and negligence claims. Lia also has significant experience with complex commercial litigation, including having litigated a number of high-profile commercial disputes in the infrastructure industry.
Highlights of Lia’s most recent work include: representing the City of Toronto in complex multi-party litigation arising out of the Union Station Redevelopment Project; twice striking claims brought against Dundee Kilmer Development in relation to the development of the 2015 Pan/Parapan AM Games Athletes’ Village; representing Cintra in respect of a dispute involving the $3.25 billion sale of a stake in Ontario’s Highway 407 toll road; defending Bondfield Construction Company against bond, lien and trust claims arising out of the Sheridan College Hazel McCallion Campus expansion; and successfully obtaining relief under the oppression remedy for Estee Lauder in respect of its minority-shareholder interest in Deciem Beauty Group Inc.
In addition to the above, Lia coordinates Osler’s Pro Bono Ontario volunteer program and is a passionate supporter of pro bono initiatives in Ontario. She is also an executive member of the Construction and Infrastructure section of the Ontario Bar Association, and an avid cyclist who coordinates Team Osler’s participation in the Ride to Conquer Cancer each year.
She is recognized as a leading construction and infrastructure litigation practitioner by The Best Lawyers in Canada.
Representative Work
- Nieuport Aviation Infrastructure Partners
Nieuport Aviation in obtaining a judgment of over $130 million against Porter Airlines in the case of Porter Airlines Inc. v. Nieuport Aviation
- Delphi Energy Corp.
Delphi Energy Corp. in its restructuring transaction under the CCAA
- Utilities Kingston
Utilities Kingston in its $30 million construction litigation dispute with North America Construction
- Nieuport Aviation in obtaining a judgment of over $130 million against Porter Airlines in the case of Porter Airlines Inc. v. Nieuport Aviation
- Delphi Energy Corp. in its restructuring transaction under the CCAA
- Utilities Kingston in its $30 million construction litigation dispute with North America Construction
- A large international developer of transportation infrastructure in ongoing proceedings relating to a dispute over the sale of a significant interest in a toll road
- A City on litigation and construction lien matters relating to the $500 million revitalization of a major transportation hub
- A leading Canadian contractor in litigation and construction lien matters relating to the construction of a campus building
- A global beauty conglomerate in ongoing oppression proceedings relating to its minority shareholder position in a Canadian beauty manufacturer and retailer
- A City/utility regarding a number of construction matters, including a wastewater treatment plant
- A Canadian corporation in a transfer pricing appeal to the Tax Court of Canada relating to the international sales structure of the corporate group
- A global mining company and a number of its officers and directors in the successful defence of a proposed securities class action making various claims in respect of the company’s disclosure concerning a specific mine
- A leading hotel chain in respect of ongoing class action proceedings throughout Canada relating to direct marketing fees
Nieuport Aviation in obtaining a judgment of over $130 million against Porter Airlines in the case of Porter Airlines Inc. v. Nieuport Aviation
Delphi Energy Corp. in its restructuring transaction under the CCAA
Utilities Kingston in its $30 million construction litigation dispute with North America Construction
- Delphi Energy Corp. in its restructuring transaction under the CCAA
- Utilities Kingston in its $30 million construction litigation dispute with North America Construction
- A large international developer of transportation infrastructure in ongoing proceedings relating to a dispute over the sale of a significant interest in a toll road
- A City on litigation and construction lien matters relating to the $500 million revitalization of a major transportation hub
- A leading Canadian contractor in litigation and construction lien matters relating to the construction of a campus building
- A global beauty conglomerate in ongoing oppression proceedings relating to its minority shareholder position in a Canadian beauty manufacturer and retailer
- A City/utility regarding a number of construction matters, including a wastewater treatment plant
- A Canadian corporation in a transfer pricing appeal to the Tax Court of Canada relating to the international sales structure of the corporate group
- A global mining company and a number of its officers and directors in the successful defence of a proposed securities class action making various claims in respect of the company’s disclosure concerning a specific mine
- A leading hotel chain in respect of ongoing class action proceedings throughout Canada relating to direct marketing fees
Latest Insights
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Blog April 24, 2025
Ontario Court of Appeal denies Crown’s motion for leave to appeal decision relating to ‘employer’ due diligence defence under OHSA
The Ontario Court of Appeal has released the sixth and final decision in R v. Greater Sudbury.
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Blog April 15, 2025
Completion of contract refers to work performance: not state of accounts
Several applications for judicial review of an adjudicator’s determination have been brought before the Ontario Divisional Court.
Read more -
Blog March 19, 2025
Judicial review of adjudication determinations in the Ontario Divisional Court
Recent decisions of the Ontario Divisional Court have addressed applications for judicial review of an adjudicator’s determination.
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Webinar May 10, 2024
Project owners as employers under the OHSA and other implications of the SCC’s R. v Greater Sudbury (City) decision
Members of Osler’s Construction and Infrastructure, Litigation and Employment and Labour teams for a 30-minute webinar to discuss the case and its...
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Awards and Recognition
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Recognized in Construction Law; Alternative Dispute Resolution
—Best Lawyers
Community Involvement
- Law Help Ontario, Duty Counsel Coordinator (Osler) and Volunteer
Speaking and Writing
Speaking Engagements
Ontario Bar Association, Class Actions Law Update
Speaker, February 14, 2019
Osler Litigation Skills Bootcamp, Drafting Pleadings Workshop
Speaker, November 15, 2018
Published Work
- A party with a purpose, Canadian Lawyer Magazine, 2010
- Lia Bruschetta’s view from the top // Going in house, Precedent Magazine 2014
- Business Leadership for Woman Lawyers Program, April 2018, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
Credentials
Education
- Dalhousie University, LL.B
- University of British Columbia, B.A.
Languages
- English
Professional Affiliations
- The Advocates’ Society
- Canadian Bar Association
- Law Society of Ontario
- Ontario Bar Association
- Young Women in the Law
