Jeffrey D. Vallis

Graduated University of Toronto Law School, 1981

Joined Howard, Mackie (which later merged into Borden Ladner Gervais LLP), 1981

Partner, 1988

Named King’s Counsel, 2004

Jeff Vallis is a Partner in BLG’s Construction Group, based in Calgary, Alberta. He practises construction litigation and arbitration, and is recognized as one of the leading lawyers in Canada for construction law by the foremost legal rankings publications. He acts on behalf of general contractors, EPC contractors, owners, subcontractors, lenders and sureties in disputes arising from large-scale construction and engineering projects, primarily in the infrastructure, industrial and commercial sectors.

Jeff graduated from the University of Toronto Law School in 1981 and moved west to Calgary, where he joined Howard Mackie, becoming a partner in 1988. Howard Mackie merged with four other regional law firms in March 200 to form Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, which became Canada’s largest national firm. Jeff has been involved in firm management, serving at various times on the National Council of the firm, National Head of Construction, and National Head of Litigation. He obtained a Certificate in Leadership in Law Firms from Harvard University in 2011.

Jeff has experience in the superior courts of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Supreme Court of Canada, but his practice in recent years has become very much focused on arbitration, primarily as counsel. However, Jeff has also acted as an arbitrator in international and domestic disputes, and has taken engagements as a mediator.

Jeff married Georgia in 1983, and they have three adult children and six active grandchildren.

Fellow, American College of Construction Lawyers

Fellow, Canadian College of Construction Lawyers

Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Member, Western Canada Commercial Arbitration Society

Rankings and Recognition

Chambers Canada – Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Construction (Band 1) and Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (Band 3))

Best Lawyers in Canada (Construction Law)

Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Commercial Arbitration, Construction Law)

Benchmark Canada – The Definitive Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys (“Litigation Star” – Arbitration, Commercial, Insurance, Product Liability)

Benchmark Canada Awards – Construction Lawyer of the Year – 2018 and 2019

Chambers Global – The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business

Lexpert/Report on Business Special Edition – Canada’s Leading Infrastructure Lawyers

Lexpert/Report on Business Special Edition – Canada’s Leading Energy Lawyers

Who’s Who Legal – Construction

Lexology Client Choice Awards for Construction – 2013 and 2014

Panel Chair, “Construction Claims – Dispute Resolution Options,” 11th Annual WCCAS Energy, Mining and Resources Arbitration Conference, Calgary

Author, “The Post-Sattva Scope of Arbitration Appeal,” ADR Perspectives (ADR Institute of Canada) (with Laura Poppel)

Speaker, “Construction Contract Dispute Resolution – Collaborating with the Opposition in a Litigious Situation,” Managing Risk in Construction Contracts and Projects conference

Panelist, “Doing More with Less,” Canadian Bar Association/Canadian Corporate Counsel Association Annual Conference, Calgary

Speaker, “Multi-Party Arbitrations,” Society for Construction Law Conference, Kuala Lumpur

Speaker, “New Rules for Summary Judgment in Canada,” Canadian College of Construction Lawyers Annual Conference, Vancouver

Co-Chair, ‘Canadian Construction Insurance Law: A Roadmap to Risk Management,” Lexpert, Calgary (with Patricia Morrison)

Author, “A Bought Magistrate: The Conundrum of the Consultant,” Journal of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers (with Erin Cutts)

Speaker, “Better Understanding the Arbitration Process,” Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Branch, Commercial Real Property Section, Calgary

Speaker, “Leading Types of Claims in the Construction Industry,” 4th Construction Claims Conference, Calgary

Contributor, PLC Cross-Border Construction and Projects Handbook

Speaker, “Exclusion Clauses in the Construction Context,” Lexpert, Calgary

Speaker, Drafting Key Provisions in Procurement Documents”, Tendering and Procurement Conference, Calgary

Speaker, “Best Practices for Minimizing Financial Risk During a Constrution Project,” 18th Annual Western Canadian Construction Superconference, Calgary

Author, “In Defence of Yugraneft,” News and Notes from the Institute of Transnational Arbitration

Author, “Welcome to Alberta…but Don’t be Late,” Lexpert

Co-Chair, Managing Risks in Construction Contracts Conference, Edmonton (with Scott Hammel)

Speaker, “Construction Delay: A Couple of Current Legal Issues,” Managing Risks in Construction Contracts Conference, Edmonton

Author, “Resolving Construction Disputes: Is Arbitration Today’s Answer?,” Calgary Construction Association magazine (with Patricia Morrison)

Alberta, 1982

Board Chair, Hospice Calgary Society, 2008-2010

Director, Hospice Calgary Society, 2002-2011

Trustee and Vice-President , Canadian Athletic Foundation, 1993-2010

Director and Vice-Chair, Recreation for Life Foundation, 2002-2009

Co-Chair, Hospice Calgary’s Community Campaign, 2008-2009

University of Calgary Law Faculty Fundraising Campaign, 1999