Overview
Joe Cosentino is a partner in the Litigation and 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 has been recognized as a leading construction lawyer by Chambers Canada, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Best Lawyers in Canada, Legal Media Group’s Expert Guides and The Legal 500 Canada. He is listed in the Lexpert Special Edition: Energy and Mining, and the Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure. Joe is also featured as a stand-out lawyer by Acritas Stars.
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
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Chambers Canada Band 3, Construction 2025
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The Legal 500 Canada Leading Individual, Construction 2025
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Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized, Construction Law 2025
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Chambers Canada Band 3, Construction 2024
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The Legal 500 Canada Recommended, Construction 2024
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Lexpert Special Edition: Energy and Mining Canada's Leading Energy and Mining Lawyers 2024
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
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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
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Banking and Financial Services
Goodmans Once Again Receives Top-Tier Recognition from The Legal 500 Canada
We are pleased to announce Goodmans LLP has once again received top-tier recognition from The Legal 500 Canada in their 2025 Guide released today.Recognition from The Legal 500 is based on independent… -
Mergers and Acquisitions
Chambers and Partners Once Again Honours Goodmans with Top-Tier Recognition
We are delighted to announce Goodmans LLP continues to receive top-tier recognition from Chambers and Partners in the Chambers Canada 2025 Guide.Recognition from Chambers and Partners is based on… -
Energy
Goodmans Recognized in the Lexpert Special Edition: Energy and Mining 2024
We are delighted to announce the Lexpert Special Edition: Energy and Mining 2024 has recognized 10 Goodmans LLP partners among Canada's experts in the areas of energy and mining.Congratulations to our…