About Jeff

Jeff Aucoin is an Office Lead Partner in our Halifax office and the Construction & Infrastructure Group Lead. He is an experienced litigation lawyer with a focused practice in commercial leasing disputes, construction disputes, insurance defence and product liability matters.

Based in Halifax, Jeff is highly respected within local construction and commercial real estate communities throughout Atlantic Canada. He advises property developers and commercial contractors, both large and small, on a broad range of legal issues that may surface throughout the life of a project, including construction disputes, liens and contract drafting.

As a trusted advisor, Jeff acts diligently to avoid disputes for his clients. By immersing himself in their operations early on, he provides forthright advice while developing strong working relationships and valuable insights needed to protect his clients’ interests and achieve an effective resolution, should a matter proceed to court action. Jeff is frequently engaged by commercial landlords to help navigate complex commercial tenancy issues and mitigate risk, before disputes arise.

Jeff also maintains an active insurance defence practice, advising on both first party and third party claims. Additionally, Jeff represents a number of large manufacturers with respect to product liability claims. He is ranked by Benchmark Canada in the areas of commercial law, product liability and construction law, and has been recognized as a Benchmark Litigation Star. Jeff has also been ranked by the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory in the area of Litigation – Commercial Insurance, and by Best Lawyers™ in Canada in the areas of alternative dispute resolution and construction law.

Jeff is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and the Canadian Bar Association. He is also a Director of the Acadia University Alumni Board. Active within the local soccer community, Jeff is an avid coach and fan. He is a 2021 recipient of the Provincial Volunteer Awards for his dedication and volunteerism with the sport.

Awards & Recognitions

  • Recognized by Best Lawyers® Canada for his practice in Alternative Dispute Resolutino (since 2021) and in Construction Law (since 2021)
  • Repeatedly Recommended by The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory for his practice in Litigation - Commercial Insurance and Litigation Product Liability (most recently in 2024)
  • Listed as a Litigation Star in the 13th edition of Benchmark Litigation Canada for Construction, Product Liability and recall, and Commercial (2024)

Appointments & Community Involvement

  • Director of the Acadia University Alumni Board

Education

  • LL.B., Dalhousie University (2004)
  • M.B.A., Dalhousie University (1997)
  • B.B.A., Acadia University (1996)

Bar Admissions

  • Nova Scotia (2005)

Languages

  • English