Real Estate
Canada Guide 2025 : Ontario
Band 4
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 416 869 5300Chambers Review
Cassels Brock & Blackwell is a respected Toronto-based law firm with an impressive aptitude for development approvals, re-zoning applications and other land use planning matters. The team offers extensive expertise assisting REITs, institutional investors and commercial lenders with transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, financing and commercial leasing mandates. It also regularly acts on joint venture developments and portfolio transactions. The team acts for clients in an array of sectors, including energy, education and hospitality.
Work Highlights
- Cassels assisted the Muzzo Group with obtaining approval for the development of a new community in Toronto.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team from Cassels Brock & Blackwell was very strong and consistently demonstrated great experience, knowledge and willingness to take on complex and atypical development projects."
"The team has a strong ability to negotiate."
"The lawyers are knowledgeable and strategic."
"The team is always thoughtful in evaluating all aspects of the matter."
"All of the lawyers assigned to our matters are experienced and provide the required guidance for us to effectively deal with all matters."
"The team from Cassels Brock & Blackwell was very strong and consistently demonstrated great experience, knowledge and willingness to take on complex and atypical development projects."
"The team has a strong ability to negotiate."
"The lawyers are knowledgeable and strategic."
"The team is always thoughtful in evaluating all aspects of the matter."
"All of the lawyers assigned to our matters are experienced and provide the required guidance for us to effectively deal with all matters."
Notable Practitioners
Signe Leisk co-chairs the firm's municipal, planning and environmental group and assists clients with obtaining development approval, including site plan and re-zoning applications. She acts for municipalities, developers and private companies.
"Signe Leisk provides comprehensive advice that facilitates good decision-making. She has a very good awareness of changes to policy and the impact they could have on development."
"Signe Leisk is exceptional in providing us with accurate and well-considered advice. She works with us and our stakeholders to clarify and provide direction through highly complex projects."
"I like the way she looks at things and understands the situation and finds a reasonable approach."
David Redmond earns recognition for his involvement in financing transactions, where he often acts for banks and other institutional lenders. He also advises clients on acquisitions and dispositions in the space.
"David Redmond is practical, business-minded and a pleasure to work with."
"David Redmond is highly experienced and our go-to for larger, complex transactions."
Melissa Winch enters the rankings this year on the back of notable activity in assisting clients with obtaining planning and re-zoning approval for development projects. She also has experience in expropriation matters.
"Melissa Winch is always willing to take on complex questions, providing insightful and accurate advice in a timely manner."
"Melissa Winch is very knowledgeable in her area and can provide guidance on what is required to complete the scope."
"Melissa Winch is great to work with. She is smart, knowledgeable, knows her files and is responsive."
"Melissa Winch is a trustworthy lawyer who we always feel confident will provide the best solution for the client."
Raivo Uukkivi is routinely engaged in contentious zoning matters. He additionally advises clients on planning and environmental issues, as well as redevelopment projects.
"Raivo Uukkivi is responsive and very strategic with an excellent understanding of the law."
Andrew Salem is a respected real estate lawyer whose Toronto-based practice covers real estate transactions on behalf of investors and joint ventures.
"Andrew Salem has the ability to balance comprehensive legal insights with practical, business-minded solutions."
"Andrew Salem is plugged into the market and has very good insight into current market trends and what is relevant to us."
Jonathan Freeman garners recognition for his work on cross-border mandates. His commercial real estate practice consists of financing transactions, as well as purchases and sales.
"Jonathan Freeman is always responsive and works well with all members of our team."
"Jonathan Freeman is always patient with the other side's counsel and has the ability to find solutions to close the transaction."
Ranked Lawyers at
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Ontario