Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use
Canada Guide 2025 : Ontario
Band 1
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
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
- 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
"The firm’s team is able to answer all questions and contribute to the structuring and execution of deals."
"Aird & Berlis has the ability to work on multiple multifaceted projects at once. The team also has a very good balance of talent."
"The law firm also provides deep understanding of the changing legislations, trends and the competitive landscape."
"Aird & Bellis is absolutely a market leader."
"Aird & Berlis brings a wealth of experience working for developer clients to offer a practical angle to the legal advice."
"The firm’s team is able to answer all questions and contribute to the structuring and execution of deals."
"Aird & Berlis has the ability to work on multiple multifaceted projects at once. The team also has a very good balance of talent."
"The law firm also provides deep understanding of the changing legislations, trends and the competitive landscape."
"Aird & Bellis is absolutely a market leader."
"Aird & Berlis brings a wealth of experience working for developer clients to offer a practical angle to the legal advice."
Notable Practitioners
Leo Longo is a renowned land use lawyer who is notably skilled in municipal matters. He represents clients in bids for development projects.
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 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 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 Baranek is a highly experienced real estate lawyer who advises on real estate development projects.
"Leonard Baranek is a very strong practitioner."
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 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 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
Ontario
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