For Geza Banfai construction is "endlessly interesting." Banfai was recently recognized by both the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) and his peers for his work in construction law.
The veteran lawyer received the 2016 Award of Excellence in construction and infrastructure law.
The award, presented annually by the Construction and Law Section of the OBA, was established to recognize exceptional contributions by individuals both to the law and construction sector.
Banfai was also named the Best Lawyers’ 2017 Toronto Construction Law "Lawyer of the Year."
It’s a respected title since only one lawyer in each practice in each community is honoured as Lawyer of the Year, a description reads.
In addition, he was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 11th edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada in the practice of construction law.
"Both of them are nice to receive because they’re both peer recognition awards," said Banfai, who is currently counsel at McMillan LLP. "It’s very gratifying to be recognized by one’s peers. It’s also very humbling."
The OBA’s award of excellence was presented to Banfai during a dinner at the Albany Club of Toronto in June.
Howard Krupat, a colleague and long-time friend of Banfai’s, gave the introductory remarks at the dinner. He said the two hallmarks of Banfai’s career are his approach to his practice and his commitment to the industry.
"He is a larger-than-life personality who has committed himself to the betterment of the construction industry through both his approach to practice and his truly unrivalled volunteerism," said Krupat, a partner at DLA Piper (Canada) LLP.
Banfai has delivered countless articles, papers and presentations over the years, he noted.
"One glance at his CV shows the truly amazing list of industry boards and committees he has not only sat on but led," Krupat explained. "I can tell you with certainty that these aren’t passive appointments — Geza has put hours and hours of volunteer work into advancing all corners of the local and national construction industry.
"On its own, in my view, Geza’s incredible level of productive commitment to the construction industry alone makes Geza unique in our bar and worthy of the award of excellence."
Banfai has also been recognized as a leader in construction law by many publications and organizations, Krupat added, and is a certified specialist in the area and a long time fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Law.
"His wealth of committed industry experience and recognition have inevitably resulted in his unique understanding of his role as not just a lawyer, but a true advisor to his clients," Krupat stated. "Geza is not just there to ‘win the case,’ he is there to advance his client’s business interests."
The feeling is mutual as Banfai also speaks highly of his peers.
"I’m surrounded by lots of men and women who are tremendously capable, tremendously dedicated people who devote a lot of their time and energy not just to their own practices but to the betterment of the industry and it’s very humbling to be recognized by these people and to work with them," he said.
Banfai didn’t always know he wanted to be a construction lawyer, but after answering an ad for a position with the firm now known as Blaney McMurtry LLP in 1979 and building their construction law practice over 30 years, he never looked back.
"I fell in love with it and I’ve been doing it ever since," said Banfai. "I love everything about it — I love the clients, I love the industry, I love the issues. There is a never-ending stream of new things to learn in this business. I enjoy working with clients who are smart as well as practical people, very pragmatic people. They have a very strong, can-do, get it done attitude. It’s just endlessly interesting to me to participate in this industry. There’s never a dull moment."
While he has been practicing construction law for over 35 years, he is constantly learning new things and encountering new challenges.
"Every year or so there is a dramatically new development that requires one to learn something new — methods of project delivery, changes in the law, the list goes on and on," he explained. "It’s just a very interesting way to make a living in an environment like that."
The Ontario Bar Association Construction and Infrastructure Law Section recently honoured Geza Banfai as the winner of this year’s Award of Excellence in Construction and Infrastructure Law. He is seen here with Supreme Court of Canada Justice Andromache Karakatsanis.
Photo: Ontario Bar Association"
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