Founded as a construction boutique firm in 1982, Vancouver-based Singleton Urquhart amended its name and firmly established a second office in Toronto when it attracted Toronto construction luminaries Bruce Reynolds and Sharon Vogel (who is now the Toronto-based co-managing partner) to its bench several years ago. The combined unit continues to gain traction and win the acclaim from clients in both markets. “Singleton is known for construction, but they also seem to be diversifying,” observes a peer. Another confirms, “In the construction world, Singleton is growing! You’re seeing people leaving bigger firms to join them.”
Vogel is revered by contemporaries as a “senior construction litigator providing overall general litigation advice concerning all litigation matters in Ontario.” Reynolds is addressed as “a real authority, who knows bonding inside and out.” A peer-turned-client testifies, “I met Bruce 30 years ago on a particular file, he being on opposing counsel. Over the years we kept in touch and because of my experience with Bruce and his thoroughness, I was able to reengage him and his company on several files were Singleton represented my company.” Beyond the name partners, enthusiasm is strong for
Jesse Gardner and James Little, both of whom are viewed as “the future leaders” in the Toronto office. “James Little is an outstanding construction lawyer and one of the most thoughtful, practical attorneys I know in this space,” insists a peer. “He combines a deep understanding of construction law with real-world judgment that contractors, owners, and developers actually value. James does not just identify risk – he helps clients understand it, prioritize it, and manage it in a way that keeps projects moving. Beyond his technical skill, James is a trusted advisor. He is responsive, level-headed, and consistently focused on achieving fair, workable outcomes rather than over-lawyering issues. If I had a construction matter anywhere in his wheelhouse, James is exactly the kind of lawyer I would want on my side. I recommend him without hesitation.”
Christiaan Jordaan is a newly appointed future star in this edition and is making inroads for a practice that straddles commercial litigation as well as construction. “Christiaan rewrote a significant claim for civil damages filed against the CRA,” confirms a peer. “He is a superb writer. The claim needed significant work in a very short time frame, and he handled it!”
