Profile
Bill Pigott has been focusing on construction law for nearly 30 years, and has developed a comprehensive practice at Miller Thomson. His services cover the full range of construction law issues – with an emphasis on the “front end”, including: procurement and project execution strategies, preparation of design and construction contracts, alternative dispute resolution (as a preventative), and early claim resolution through negotiation/mediation.
Mr. Pigott helps clients identify their goals and needs, the associated risks involved and, from there, develops a suitable execution plan – providing advice on available options, including expressions of interest, binding procurement, requests for proposal and conventional bids. Once the execution plan has been established, he prepares and negotiates contracts.
Mr. Pigott's experience in project modeling includes both general contracts and more demanding forms of project execution, including construction management, design build and public/private partnerships. While much of Mr. Pigott’s work is for owners and their consultants, he understands the contractor’s side of the equation and provides advice in connection with contract negotiation, bid issues and claims resolution. Mr. Pigott is a “contractor’s kid” who spent ten years working in construction. He understands the industry and its unique culture.
Mr. Pigott is active in most sectors of the construction industry, including healthcare and power generation.
Education
- LL.B., University of Toronto, 1966
- B.A., University of Toronto, 1963
Professional Achievements
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® Rated Lawyer, 2013
- 2012 Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
- Certificate of Achievement, Faculty of Law, University of Windsor, ADR Workshop, 2000
- Certificate of Achievement, Faculty of Law, University of Windsor, Advanced ADR Workshop, 2000
Representative Work
- Co-author, "Bidding and Tendering: What is the Law", Butterworth, 4th edition, 2009; with Paul Sandori
- Frequent speaker and writer on bidding and other construction sector topics
Memberships
- Member, Canadian Bar Association
- Life Member, Association for Preservation of Technology (Canada)
- Member, Building Committee, Archdiocese of Toronto
- Member, Editorial Board, Construction Law Letter and author of various articles for the publication
- Member, ADR Institute of Ontario
- Member, MOH LTC OGCA & OAA Task Group for Model Construction Documents for Healthcare Projects
Faculty Experience
- Guest lecturer at University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and the Faculty of Architecture and Design
- Instructor in the Certificate Program of the Ontario Association of Architects
- Student of Golf
Publications
- The Broader Public Sector Supply Chain Guidelines: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Health Communiqué, December 15, 2010
- Tercon Contractors v. B.C.: It's Only A Matter Of Time!, Construction and Infrastructure Law Newsletter, June 2010
- The Procurement Process: A Workshop for the Health Industry, 2009
- Bidding and Tendering: What is the Law? (4th Edition), 2009
- Blame It On The Queen, Construction and Infrastructure Law Newsletter, July 2008
- Double N. Earthmovers Ltd. v Edmonton (City) Supreme Court of Canada: January, 2007 (A Tale of Two Courts), Construction and Infrastructure Law Newsletter, Spring 2007
- Rip Van Winkle Meets AFP, Communiqué for the Health Industry, June 28, 2006
- Cold Feet? Cold Comfort!, Construction Law Letter, 2005
- Lost in Translation, Construction Law Letter, 2005
- "Contract A:" sword or ploughshare?, Construction Law Newsletter, 2003
- Negotiations and the Bid Process: Midwest to Martel, Construction and Infrastructure Law Newsletter, Winter 2001
- Holdback and Architects: Some Relief at Last, Communiqué for the Health Industry, November 2, 2001
- To Holdback or Not to Holdback on Architect's Fees?, Communiqué for the Health Industry, May 29, 2001
- Naylor v. Ellis-Don: A Subtrade Perspective, Construction and Infrastructure Law Newsletter, Spring 2000
- Privilege Does Come with Obligations!, Construction and Infrastructure Law Newsletter, Spring 1999
- Privilege Comes with Obligations: or Does it?, Construction and Infrastructure Law Newsletter, Spring 1998
- Ron Engineering Decision Still Immature After 15 Years?, Construction and Infrastructure Law Newsletter, Spring 1997
Industry Expertise
Key Practice Expertise
Areas of Focus
- Procurement Strategies
- RFP and Tender Advice
- Design and Construction Contracts
- Health Care Facilities
Year of Call
- Ontario Bar, 1978