Jordan Bierkos is a partner in our Litigation Group in Calgary. He is an advocate and strategic advisor who helps clients solve pressing and challenging problems, often involving complex legal issues, significant reputational or strategic concerns, and/or significant economic value. Jordan maintains a general corporate commercial litigation practice where he assists clients with dispute prevention, containment, and resolution.
Jordan has been lead or co-counsel before Courts in Alberta and Saskatchewan, the Alberta Securities Commission, and arbitral tribunals in both ad hoc and institutional arbitrations conducted domestically and internationally. As a trial lawyer, Jordan understands how to present and pursue a compelling case from initial demand through closing argument.
Jordan is adept at claim management and organization, including through leveraging technology. Jordan has extensive experience in e-discovery and document management, and is well versed in maximizing the value and efficiency of discovery processes for clients in both litigation and arbitration settings. Jordan is a contributing author to Virtual Advocacy: Litigating from a Distance, published by LexisNexis.
Practice Areas
- Construction, Infrastructure, and Real Property: Jordan practices extensively in all areas of real estate, including transactions, development, construction, and leasing.
Jordan is frequently called upon at all phases of construction and infrastructure projects, including to provide: contract review and negotiation, strategic counsel and claims management on ongoing projects, and advocacy regarding construction claims and disputes. Jordan’s representative experience includes some of the largest infrastructure projects in Alberta and Ontario. Jordan’s diverse experience includes acting for lenders, owners, contractors, and material suppliers, which provides for a balanced perspective and understanding of stakeholder interests.
Jordan is a RICS-ADRIC certified Adjudication Advocate, and the co-author of Prompt Payment, Adjudication and Construction Liens in Alberta, 2021-2022, published by Carswell Thomson Reuters.
Jordan regularly assists clients with claims involving the ownership and operation of real property assets, including involving commercial leasing and environmental claims. Jordan oversees the Calgary office’s Lease Disputes Group. - Corporate Disputes: Jordan represents corporations and their stakeholders in a broad range of corporate disputes, including corporate fraud, shareholder disputes, purchase and sale agreements, oppression claims, director negligence, and claims involving ownership and use of corporate proprietary information. Jordan is recognized by Chambers and Partners Canada for Litigation: General Commercial, and Best Lawyers Canada’s “Ones to Watch” for Corporate and Commercial Litigation.
Jordan is well versed in both obtaining and resisting both interim and final enforcement measures, including Mareva injunctions/Attachment Orders, and Anton Pillar Orders (civil search warrants). Jordan is the co-author of Practical Law Canada’s Attachment (Freezing or Mareva) Orders: Overview (Canada), published by Thomson Reuters. Jordan’s representative experience includes being counsel in Angophora Holdings Limited v Ovsyankin, 2022 ABKB 711, which dealt with the interaction of Alberta’s Civil Enforcement Act and the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations. - Commercial Arbitration: Jordan is an associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and recognized by Best Lawyers Canada’s “Ones to Watch” for Alternative Dispute Resolution. Jordan emphasizes that arbitration is much more than private litigation, and his deep understanding of its unique legal, procedural, and strategic nuances positions him well to navigate and leverage the benefits of arbitration to his clients' advantage.
- Energy Industry: Jordan has broad experience with claims arising in the energy industry, including regarding assets and asset packages in multiple jurisdictions. Jordan is regularly called upon to resolve disputes regarding operations, capital projects, and corporate or asset transactions. Jordan prides himself on being able to distill the technically complex aspects of energy industry disputes into compelling and understandable narratives.
- Entertainment Industry: Jordan has a Certificate in Entertainment Law from Osgood Hall Law School of York University, and has advised amateur and professional athletes regarding team selection, contract negotiation, and intellectual property protection and commercialization. Jordan has also advised certified player agents in all aspects of the business of athlete agencies.
Background
Jordan received his Juris Doctor from the University of Calgary, following a Bachelor of Physical Education (with distinction) from the University of Alberta. Prior to and during law school, Jordan worked as a strength and conditioning coach for professional and elite amateur athletes.
At law school, Jordan was awarded the 2015 Grant McKibben Prize, which is presented to a graduating student who epitomizes the energy and spirit of the Calgary Law School community. Jordan’s Law school experience included volunteering with Student Legal Assistance, participating in several moot competitions, including the Hockey Arbitration Competition of Canada, serving on the executive of the Sport and Entertainment Law Society and the U of C chapter of Christian Legal Fellowship, as well as participating as coach and captain of the U of C’s Law Rugby team.
Jordan is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, Calgary Bar Association, Christian Legal Fellowship, and an associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.