Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use
Canada Guide 2025 : Ontario
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 416 365 1110About
Provided by WeirFoulds LLP
WeirFoulds’ Commercial Real Estate lawyers provide sophisticated commercial real estate expertise in all types of transactions to a variety of clients, including public and private corporations, pension funds, REITs, national and international retailers, financial institutions, governments and private individuals. The firm regularly assists clients with acquiring, financing, leasing, developing, managing and selling properties, in addition to investing in real estate on a portfolio basis.
In addition, its commercial leasing group is widely regarded as the top commercial leasing group in the country, serving clients across Canada including landlords and tenants, property managers, mortgagees, and other encumbrancers, across the spectrum of asset classes including retail, industrial, office, mixed-use, and infrastructure projects. The firm offers specialized experience in specific areas of leasing, including environmentally challenged properties, ground leasing, build-to-suit developments, and other mixed-use developments. The team’s extensive expertise extends beyond creating, preparing and negotiating leases and other related documentation, and includes enforcement of rent and other lease obligations, default proceedings, bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings, rent and other arbitrations, and judicial applications.
Chambers Review
WeirFoulds has a skilled group with considerable experience acting for municipalities on significant expropriations and OLT appeals, in addition to its engagement on mid-market transactions in Ontario. The team acts for landowners and developers, providing advice and representation in connection with planning approvals and other development matters. It counsels clients on ownership structures and purchases and sales. The firm is highlighted for its visibility on leasing mandates.
Work Highlights
- WeirFoulds advised RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust on a long-term ground lease agreement with Altea Active.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"WeirFoulds is very effective and brings in other team members when necessary. The team members are friendly, courteous, knowledgeable and available when you need them."
"WeirFoulds provides a full-service team, and each member of the team consistently provides a very thorough and thoughtful review of issues arising on a file."
"We feel confident that WeirFoulds is able to assist with our legal needs while providing an in-depth and detailed understanding of matters. Their expertise and experience are always on display."
"The team had a very strong understanding of our priorities and objectives, which made their advice flawless. The responsiveness was such that the matter was completed in record time."
"WeirFoulds is very effective and brings in other team members when necessary. The team members are friendly, courteous, knowledgeable and available when you need them."
"WeirFoulds provides a full-service team, and each member of the team consistently provides a very thorough and thoughtful review of issues arising on a file."
"We feel confident that WeirFoulds is able to assist with our legal needs while providing an in-depth and detailed understanding of matters. Their expertise and experience are always on display."
"The team had a very strong understanding of our priorities and objectives, which made their advice flawless. The responsiveness was such that the matter was completed in record time."
Notable Practitioners
Bruce Engell is chair of the firm's municipal and planning group, with expertise covering the full spectrum of matters arising in the course of real estate development. He is adept at representing clients before the OLT and the courts in Ontario.
"I found him to be an extremely knowledgeable and experienced member of the team, and his expertise in municipal law is highly valued."
"Bruce Engell is our go-to lawyer for all our municipal matters."
"Bruce Engell handles planning and litigation matters expertly, always with an eye to the client's best interests. He provides creative solutions."
Lisa Borsook is well regarded for her expertise in commercial leasing and portfolio management matters.
"Lisa Borsook is sophisticated, experienced and logical. She is always able to assist and deliver in a timely manner."
Denise Baker combines her role as co-managing partner of the firm with an active planning and land use practice, advising on obtaining approval for proposed developments.
Ranked Lawyers at
WeirFoulds LLP
Ontario
Industries
Provided by WeirFoulds LLP
Financial Institutions
Government
Pension Funds
Private Corporations
Public Corporations