Lawyer
Devon Lehrer
Profile
Devon’s practice is focused, primarily, on construction litigation. He acts for developers, owners, contractors, professionals and trades in all manner of construction disputes including payment disputes, deficiency and delay claims, professional negligence claims and builders lien matters.
Taking a practical, pragmatic and proactive approach to disputes, Devon confidently navigates both the traditional litigation framework and employs alternative dispute resolution methods to steer matters towards an advantageous outcome for his clients. Devon is also experienced in preparing and reviewing a broad range of contracts and documents and is more than happy to assist clients before they find themselves in a dispute.
Devon has represented clients in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Provincial Court of British Columbia and before various administrative tribunals. A regular guest speaker, Devon frequently leads educational sessions for construction professionals.
Away from the office, Devon can most often be found enjoying time with his wife, their two young daughters and their grouchy old dog. When he has a free moment, Devon enjoys cycling, skiing, and golf.
Expertise
Experience Highlights
- As counsel for a civil works contractor, successfully obtained summary judgment against non-contracting owners and in a matter clarifying the interpretation of the Builders Lien Act definition of “improvement” (TDM Excavating & Contracting Ltd. v 1046416 B.C. Ltd., 2023 BCSC 944)
- Successfully defended the purchaser in a dispute arising from the alleged repudiation of a real estate transaction (Sandhu v Uppal Farms & Greenhouses Ltd., 2022 BCSC 1373)
- As counsel for a civil contractor, successfully appealed the decision of a Master, clarifying the interpretation of the Builders Lien Act in respect of a lien claimant’s obligation to commence an action to enforce its claim of lien (Trans Canada Trenchless Ltd. v Targa Contracting (2013) Ltd., 2022 BCSC 438)
- As co-counsel for a large glazing contractor, successfully opposed the certification of a class action in relation to windows installed in a prestigious Vancouver high-rise condominium development (0790482 B.C. Ltd. v. KBK No. 11 Ventures Ltd., 2021 BCSC 1761)
- Counsel for a contractor in a claim for compensation for project delay against a British Columbia municipal government in relation to the construction of a water treatment facility, including claims arising from project delay and unanticipated subsurface conditions.
- Counsel for a developer in a broad, multi-faceted dispute with its general contractor in relation to the construction of a $20M development in the lower mainland.
- Counsel for various contractors and subcontractors in relation to builders lien claims.
Education & Bar Admissions
- B.Sc., Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University, 2008
- M.A.Sc., Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University, 2010
- J.D., Queen’s University, 2014
- Called to the Bar of British Columbia, 2015
Memberships & Associations
- Canadian Bar Association
- Vancouver Regional Construction Association
Seminars & Speaking Engagements
- Speaker (Legal and Builders Liens), Construction 101 Course, Vancouver Island Construction Association
- Instructor (Tendering), Law and the Architect, Architectural Institute of British Columbia
- Guest Speaker (Construction Law), BCIT Construction Management Program
Publications
- Canada Prompt Payment Act Update, Construction Business, January/February/March 2018
- Co-author with John S. Logan, Arbitral Costs Awards under the British Columbia Act, The Advocate, January 2016
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Co-author with John S. Logan, Mediation and Arbitration in Construction Disputes, Canadian Bar Association – BarTalk, February 2016