Vanessa Werden

Vanessa S. Werden, a seasoned construction attorney, brings over ten years of specialized expertise to the table, actively supporting a broad spectrum of clients including general contractors, construction managers, developers, and various trades across the construction sector's entire lifecycle. Recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field, she secured a spot on the “Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction” list by On-Site Magazine in 2020. Her legal practice spans multiple jurisdictions, holding licenses in British Columbia, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories. Currently, she leads as the Chair of the Construction Law Section for the Canadian Bar Association's BC Branch.

Vanessa’s practice is diverse, encompassing procurement and tendering processes, contract creation, negotiation, and analysis, alongside addressing builders' liens and managing claims related to additional work, delays, and budget overruns. Her portfolio includes arbitrating disputes arising from the construction of hydroelectric power plants, telecommunications infrastructure, and stadium construction cases. She excels in navigating complex, document-heavy disputes by leveraging advanced technology to streamline efficiency.

In resolving disputes, Vanessa frequently represents clients in mediations and arbitrations, bringing her expertise to various levels of the court system including the Provincial and Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta.

Her expertise also extends to the nuanced field of surety bonds, where she has a proven track record of advancing bond claims, particularly focusing on performance bonds and labor and material payment bonds. Vanessa has been a pivotal figure in educating future engineers on the intricacies of surety bonds, serving as a guest lecturer at the University of British Columbia's Civil Engineering Department. Her recent successes include negotiating substantial settlements on performance bond claims resulting from subcontractor defaults and advancing a significant mid-project claim on a telecommunications project, ensuring her client’s interests were safeguarded.

Vanessa's educational background is as impressive as her professional achievements, holding a J.D. from the University of British Columbia and having been called to the bar in British Columbia, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories between 2012 and 2019. Her legal acumen, combined with her dedication to the construction industry, underscores her role as a formidable advocate and advisor in the realm of construction law, commercial litigation, and indigenous development and infrastructure projects.