About

Provided by Aird & Berlis LLP

With one of the largest real estate practice groups in the GTA, and as a recognized leader in Canada, Aird & Berlis has the breadth and depth of experience to handle any real estate deal.


Our Real Estate Group assists clients with the purchase, sale and development of real property, leasing transactions and all types of real estate financing. We have extensive experience representing clients involved in the development, construction and management of office buildings, hotels, residential and commercial condominiums, residential rental projects, retirement homes and shopping centres. Our experience extends to infrastructure planning, financing and procurement.


We have acted on behalf of both public entities and private developers in structuring and implementing transactions involving public-private partnerships (P3) for infrastructure and understand the policy, political and institutional issues involved.


Serving our real estate clients requires a multidisciplinary approach. Our real estate lawyers draw on the expertise of other firm professionals to give our clients the range of advice needed to successfully complete their joint ventures and syndications, financings, reorganizations, financial workouts and environmental assessments.


Learn more about the firm's Real Estate Group here: https://www.airdberlis.com/what-we-do/expertise/service/real-estate

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Real Estate: Mainly Mid-Market - Ontario
2
Band 2
What the Team is Known For

Aird & Berlis is a stalwart Toronto law firm with an eminent municipal and land use planning group, offering impressive expertise in planning, zoning and land development. The team has an enviable client roster consisting of municipalities, landowners and developers, and is frequently asked to negotiate development agreements, subdivisions and easements. It offers extensive experience of OLT hearings and appearances before other administrative boards, and is well placed to handle official plan appeals and by-law amendments. The firm is also well respected for its broad transactional real estate practice.

Work Highlights

Provided by Aird & Berlis LLP
  • Aird & Berlisadvised the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade on its winning bid for Volkswagen's multibillion-dollar gigafactory plant.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Leo Longo
S
Leo Longo
S
Senior Statespeople

Leo Longo is a renowned land use lawyer who is notably skilled in municipal matters. He represents clients in bids for development projects.

N Jane Pepino
S
N Jane Pepino
S
Senior Statespeople

Jane Pepino is the founder of the firm's municipal and land use planning group. Her impressive track record includes over four decades of experience in zoning and planning. In addition to her in-depth knowledge of regulatory matters, she also has experience acting for clients before the OLT and other tribunals.

Steve Zakem
E
Steve Zakem
E
Eminent Practitioners

Steve Zakem is the firm's managing partner and is highly regarded for his expertise in zoning and land use in Ontario. He advises on planning and land use matters involving commercial, industrial and residential developments.

Eileen Costello
3
Eileen Costello
3
Band 3

Eileen Costello advises private and public bodies on matters in the zoning and land use space in Ontario. In addition to capably representing clients before tribunals and the courts, she also provides guidance on obtaining development approvals.

"Eileen Costello provides excellent communication skills."

Leonard E. Baranek
3
Leonard E. Baranek
3
Band 3

Leonard Baranek is a highly experienced real estate lawyer who advises on real estate development projects.

"Leonard Baranek is a very strong practitioner."

Nili Goldman
3
Nili Goldman
3
Band 3

Nili Goldman has a strong pedigree in commercial real estate work, advising on a broad spectrum of transactional activity and finance work, particularly for investors and developers.

"Nili Goldman is an incredible safety net for us."

"Her attention to detail, assertiveness and dedication to her clients is unmatched, and her level of sophistication is incredible."

Tom Halinski
3
Tom Halinski
3
Band 3

Tom Halinski is the practice group leader of the municipal and land use planning group. He has a broad practice advising local municipalities and private clients on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters concerning planning approval for developments.

"Tom is a trusted external legal counsel."

"He has done a wonderful job triaging and managing all our legal files."

"Tom is excellent and provides a high level of service."

"Temperament and knowledge are his strengths."

Maggie Bassani
U
Maggie Bassani
U
Up and Coming

Maggie Bassani enjoys a growing reputation in the Ontario real estate market, providing notable expertise in the zoning and land aspects of mixed-use projects, landholdings, and residential developments. Her client roster includes landowners and property managers.

Ranked Lawyers at
Aird & Berlis LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Ontario

Real Estate: Mainly Mid-Market

Leonard E. Baranek
3
Leonard E. Baranek
3
Band 3
Nili Goldman
3
Nili Goldman
3
Band 3
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use

Leo Longo
S
Leo Longo
S
Senior Statespeople
N Jane Pepino
S
N Jane Pepino
S
Senior Statespeople
Steve Zakem
E
Steve Zakem
E
Eminent Practitioners
Eileen Costello
3
Eileen Costello
3
Band 3
Tom Halinski
3
Tom Halinski
3
Band 3
Maggie Bassani
U
Maggie Bassani
U
Up and Coming

Members

Provided by Aird & Berlis LLP

Alexandra (Alex) Raponi

Andrew Webster

Barbra Miller

Christie McNeill

Daniel Mahler

Daniella Guzzi

Derek J. McCallum

Ethan Eisen

Faruk Gafic

Jacob B. Dubelaar

Jennifer Glied-Goldstein

Jennifer Wainwright

Kenneth Pimentel

Kristian Arciaga

Kyle Genga

Kyle Kidd

Leah Silber

Leonard Baranek

Marco Gammone

Mario Pedro

Martin Henderson

Michael D. Smith

Mistrale Lepage-Chouinard

Monty Warsh

Head of Department

Neill Kalvin

Nili Goldman

Norman I. Kahn

Peter A. Dalglish

Rachel D. Rice

Sacha Nelson

Stefan Radovanovich

Tammy Evans

Trevor Crowley

Industries

Provided by Aird & Berlis LLP

Construction

Education

Energy

Government

Health Care

Hospitality

Mines & Minerals

Real Estate Finance

Retail