About

About Howard Wise

Independent Mediator and Arbitrator

My Thoughts about Alternative Dispute Resolution

When a dispute arises, the parties often want to turn to someone independent, experienced and knowledgeable to assist them in the dispute resolution process.

The various ADR models allow me to get involved in a project at various stages depending on the conflict and the needs of the parties. 

I focus on assisting the parties resolve their disputes in the most time and cost-effective way.

Having represented owners, contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, insurers, sureties, lenders and receivers, I understand the competing interests that affect not only the construction process, but how these interests impact the resolution of construction disputes. My experience as litigation and arbitration counsel in complex, high stakes disputes well positions me to assist the parties in resolving their disputes.

Morever, I understand that even though significant claims may exist between the parties, they ultimately share the goal of resolving their disputes and moving onto the next project.

I have seen first-hand how ADR can be used to find workable solutions to complex business and legal issues, and to deliver outcomes that benefit all of the parties to the dispute.

Representative Projects

  • Heavy Civil

  • Roads and Bridges

  • Mines

  • Universities

  • Subway construction

  • Co-generation Plants

  • Steel Mills

  • Water Treatment Plants

  • Tunnels

  • Dams

  • Sports Arenas

  • Shopping Centres

  • Process Equipment Plants

  • Sewage and Wastewater Treatment Plants.

  • Hospitals, Schools and Community Centres

  • Residential, Commercial and Mixed Use Hi-rise

  • Transit - Rail and light Rail projects

  • Seniors and Long Term Care Facilities

  • Nuclear facility expansions and refurbishments

  • Construction and Real Estate Insolvencies

  • P3 and other alternate finance agreements

Legal Industry Recognition

  • Best Lawyers in Canada: Top Tier Ranking, Construction and Infrastructure, Alternative Dispute Resolution (2015-2026)
  • Best Lawyers in Canada: Lawyer of the Year, Construction Law 2019
  • Chambers Ranked: Band One, Construction and Infrastructure (2015-2026)
  • Lexology (Formerly Who’s Who Legal): Recognized Global and National Leader-Construction (2007-2026)
  • Lexpert Recognized: Construction and Infrastructure, and Arbitration
  • Benchmark Litigation Canada: Benchmark Litigation Star 2025
  • The Legal 500 Canada – Hall of Fame – Construction Law, 2025,2026
  • The Legal 500 Canada – Leading Individual – Construction Law, 2023,2024

Professional Memberships and Affiliations

  • Law Society of Ontario

    Called to the Bar of Ontario 1985

  • Certified as a specialist in Construction Law

    Law Society of Ontario 2002 to present

  • Canadian College of Construction Lawyers

    Past President and Founding Fellow

  • Canadian Bar Association, Construction and Infrastructure Law Section

    Past President

  • Ontario Bar Association, Construction and Infrastructure Law Section

    Past President

  • Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

    Member

  • Construction Lawyers Society of America

    Fellow

  • ABA Forum on the Construction Industry

    Member

  • Toronto Commercial Arbitration Society

    Member

Legal Publications

  • Co-Author- Bristow, Glaholt, Reynolds and Wise on Construction Builders and Mechanic’s Liens in Canada, 8th ed. Thomson Reuters
  • Author  Manual of Construction Law Thomson Reuters
  • Co-Editor-Canadian Forms and Precedents- Debtor Creditor- chapter on Construction Liens, LexisNexis
  • Co-Editor-Canadian Forms and Precedents-Construction Liens, LexisNexis