Department profile

Real Estate

Canada Guide 2026 : Ontario

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

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

Industries (9)

Education
Government
Real Estate Finance
Retail
Hospitality
Health Care
Energy
Construction
Mines & Minerals

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Real Estate - Ontario

Band 4

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.

View ranking table

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Aird & Berlis advised First Capital REIT on the sale of 1629-1633 The Queensway in Etobicoke, Ontario for the purchase price of CAD34 million.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

The firm has a very good understanding of the commercial criteria developers work under.
Real Estate respondentCanada
Aird & Berlis is up to date on legislative changes from many angles that allow it to strategise settlements.
Real Estate respondentCanada
Aird & Berlis is analytical and has a variety of experience through different professional situations, which enhances its legal advice.
Real Estate respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Senior Statespeople
Senior Statespeople
Leo Longo
Leo Longo is a renowned land use lawyer who is notably skilled in municipal matters. He represents clients in bids for development projects.
I have been impressed with his service and advice.
Real Estate respondentCanada
View profile
Band 1
Band 1
Steve Zakem
Steve Zakem 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.
View profile
Band 3
Band 3
Eileen Costello
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 never disappoints and serves us well as a client.
Real Estate respondentCanada
She is super strategic and good to work with; she can provide strategic advice on complex files.
Real Estate respondentCanada
View profile
Band 3
Band 3
Tom Halinski
Tom Halinski is the co-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.
He is an excellent lawyer and provides superior client service.
Real Estate respondentCanada
He has great technical knowledge.
Real Estate respondentCanada
He is incredibly versatile, very knowledgeable and understands the municipal sector.
Real Estate respondentCanada
View profile
Band 4
Band 4
Sidonia J. Tomasella
Sidonia Tomasella's clients benefit from her experience as a land use planner as she guides them through an array of land use matters, including redevelopments and appeals at the OLT.
She takes a proactive approach to servicing her clients and builds strong industry relationships.
Real Estate respondentCanada
Sidonia is an exceptional lawyer with a strong understanding of planning matters in the Toronto area.
Real Estate respondentCanada
View profile
Band 5
Band 5
Leonard E. Baranek
Leonard Baranek is a highly experienced real estate lawyer who advises on real estate development projects.
Leonard is very straightforward. He is a deal-maker and very practical.
Real Estate respondentCanada
Leonard is hard-working and efficient.
Real Estate respondentCanada
View profile
Band 5
Band 5
Nili Goldman
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 very understanding and an incredible person to work with.
Real Estate respondentCanada
Nili Goldman is absolutely phenomenal. She is always quick to respond.
Real Estate respondentCanada
View profile
Up and Coming
Up and Coming
Jacob Dubelaar
Jacob Dubelaar has considerable experience acting for real estate investment firms on significant real estate transactions.
He is a fantastic lawyer, very practical and diligent.
Real Estate respondentCanada
He is a strong practitioner.
Real Estate respondentCanada
Jacob is knowledgeable and provides solid advice.
Real Estate respondentCanada
View profile
Up and Coming
Up and Coming
Maggie Bassani
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.
She is a thorough lawyer as well as a strong negotiator.
Real Estate respondentCanada
View profile