Olivier F. Kott
Senior Partner
Olivier Kott has over 34 years’ experience in the management and resolution of complex business-related litigation and arbitration, with a particular focus on construction law, product liability and insurance. Recent accomplishments include successfully pleading two landmark cases before the Supreme Court of Canada. He also drafts and negotiates construction contracts and professional services agreements for major construction projects.
Mr. Kott acts as an arbitrator and he is accredited as a mediator by the Quebec Bar. He teaches construction law to students in the Master’s program at Université de Montréal and regularly publishes articles and gives conferences for business people and lawyers on civil liability, the prevention and resolution of disputes and contract drafting. Mr. Kott directed the preparation of a 900-page book on construction law entitled La construction au Québec : perspectives juridiques, written with the cooperation of members of our construction, engineering and infrastructure team.
Law school
LL.L., Université de Montréal, 1976
Education
Harvard Law School Mediation Workshop 2005
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Fast Track Assessment Workshop 2003
Speaking engagements
- “Construction - Aspects juridiques,” Éditions Yvon Blais, October 11, 2011, Montreal, and October 20, 2011, Québec.
- “Grande rencontre Contech - Analyse du risque en construction,” Contech, June 1, 2011.
- “Développements Récents en Droit de la Construction,” Quebec Bar, May 20, 2011.
- “Gestion des réclamations et litiges dans le domaine de la construction,” The Canadian Institute, April 12 and 13, 2011.
- “Les appels d’offre : ce qu’il faut savoir pour éviter les embûches et profiter des opportunités,” Ogilvy Renault LLP, June 2, 2010.
- “Balancing freedom of contract and the principle of good faith under Québec Civil Law,” Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, May 28, 2010.
- “Les cautionnements dans le domaine de la construction” (co-presenter: Sophie Barry), Association québécoise des entrepreneurs en infrastructure, Lachenaie, March 17, 2010.
- “Les clauses essentielles pour gérer les risques dans les contrats de construction” (co-presenter: Sophie Barry), The Canadian Institute, November 25, 2009.
- “Les impacts pratiques de la jurisprudence récente sur la rédaction de vos contrats et la gestion de vos litiges,” The Canadian Institute, November 25, 2008.
- “Risk Allocation Under Contracts Governed by the Civil Code of Québec: You can’t always get what you want,” Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, May 30, 2008.
Rankings and recognitions
- Best Lawyers in Canada, 2012 - Product Liability Law, Personal Injury Litigation, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appellate Law, Director and Officer Liability
- Best Lawyers in Canada, 2011 - Construction Lawyer of the Year, Montreal
- PLC Which lawyer?, 2011 - Construction
- Lexpert / American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers for Canada - Most frequently recommended for Construction Law
- Canadian Who’s Who
- The International Who’s Who of Construction Lawyers, 2011
- The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers
- LEXPERT®Directory (leading lawyer in Construction Law, Product Liability, Professional Liability)
- Awarded Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory’s highest professional rating
Memberships and activities
- Quebec Bar
- Bar of Montreal
- Liaison Committee between the Quebec Court of Appeal and the Bar of Montreal (1989-1993)
- Canadian Bar Association
- Systems of Civil Justice Task Force (1995-1996)
- Council, Quebec Branch (1993-1996)
- Chairman and founding member, Construction Law Section (1988-1993)
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
- Canadian College of Construction Lawyers
- Governor and founding member
Directorships
- Fondation du Barreau (1992-1993)
- Executive Committee
- Board of Directors