Department profile
McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Real Estate

Canada Guide 2026 : Ontario


McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by McCarthy Tétrault LLP

As Canada's largest commercial real estate practice, we close more deals than any other firm.

We love a challenge and we excel at advising you on all of your real estate matters, whether acquiring an entire portfolio of properties, selling a single property, forming a real estate investment fund, supporting the development of a large project, negotiating a complex lease agreement, or refinancing a loan.

Our Real Property & Planning Group helps you jump on opportunities and conquer obstacles as they arise. Our lawyers’ breadth of knowledge of the Canadian commercial real estate market is unsurpassed, enabling us to advise you on the complete spectrum of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, financing, development and municipal properties across Canada. Among our roster of clients are pension funds, public and private companies, REITs, private equity firms, governments, financial institutions and sovereign wealth funds.

Our clients value our exceptional team strength, experience, proactive and practical approach, creativity, negotiating skills and responsiveness. With the rapidly changing landscape of the real estate market in Canada and abroad, our Real Estate practice is equipped to continue to be a leading and relied upon advisor. 

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Real Estate - Ontario

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

McCarthy Tétrault is universally recognised as a real estate powerhouse in Toronto, offering the full suite of services to financial institutions, pension funds, REITs and large infrastructure developers. The team is admired for its expertise in substantial transactions and joint venture formation work. It is also well regarded for its experience in construction and bond financing agreements. In addition, the firm assists clients with development projects, representing them in obtaining re-zoning and site plan approvals, including appearing before the OLT.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • McCarthy Tétrault LLP acted for York University and York University Development Corporation on a host of real estate matters, including the acquisition of land, construction documentation and related zoning agreements for its new campus in the City of Markham.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • McCarthy Tétrault provides high-quality legal guidance in the real estate sector.

    Real Estate respondentCanada
  • McCarthy Tétrault has the ability to break down complex legal scenarios to allow for quick business decisions.

    Real Estate respondentCanada
  • The firm has expertise in various complex transactions, including cross-border transactions and provides thorough advice with risks well analysed.

    Real Estate respondentCanada
  • The team is knowledgeable, dedicated and top of its field.

    Real Estate respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Danny C Grandilli
    Band 1Danny C Grandilli

    Danny C Grandilli

    The market-leading Danny Grandilli is valued for his ability to assist clients with the acquisition and divestment of real estate portfolios and single assets.

    • Danny is a top real estate lawyer in the country.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
    • Danny is tremendous.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
  • Band 1John C Currie
    Band 1John C Currie

    John C Currie

    John Currie is the national practice group leader at McCarthy Tétrault. He is sought after for his market-leading expertise in commercial real estate, and his skill set covers the entire development process, including financing.

    • John is not only an exceptional real estate advisor but he has put together and leads the dominant real estate team from coast to coast.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
    • He is an excellent lawyer.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
  • Band 1Tzen-Yi Goh
    Band 1Tzen-Yi Goh

    Tzen-Yi Goh

    Tzen-Yi Goh is an esteemed lawyer who is often consulted on commercial real estate matters concerning project finance and secured lending deals.

    • He has real estate experience on complex transactions across the country.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
    • He is a great adviser.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
    • Tzen-Yi is always responsive.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
  • Band 2Cynthia Macdougall
    Band 2Cynthia Macdougall

    Cynthia Macdougall

    Cynthia Macdougall heads the firm's municipal group in Toronto. She routinely represents clients before the relevant land use and planning tribunals and committees, in addition to advising public bodies on development projects.

    • She has an ability to understand how changes in municipal law will affect our projects. She can anticipate what may happen and informs us.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
    • You can always go to Cynthia for smart, strategic legal advice and she has great relationships with the government bodies as well.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
    • She is capable of breaking down complex scenarios allowing for quick direction.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
  • Band 3Jamie Orzech
    Band 3Jamie Orzech

    Jamie Orzech

    Jamie Orzech is involved in high-profile commercial mandates, frequently advising on the sale of real estate assets.

    • Jamie is highly knowledgeable and capable.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
    • Jamie gives pragmatic advice that takes into account the business case.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
  • Band 3Paul Galbraith
    Band 3Paul Galbraith

    Paul Galbraith

    Paul Galbraith has a strong reputation in the market for acting for syndicate lenders. Based in Toronto, his practice focuses on handling real estate financing mandates.
    • Paul is a problem-solver and goes about things very commercially.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
    • Paul is an experienced lawyer that offers prompt, trusted advice.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
  • Band 5Jeffrey Knowles
    Band 5Jeffrey Knowles

    Jeffrey Knowles

    Jeffrey Knowles has a wide-ranging commercial real estate practice which sees him act for pension funds and other investors on joint venture agreements and real estate investments.

    • Jeffrey has a very good combination of very good legal skills and understanding of the business circumstances and the market.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
    • He is strategic and able to manage multiple stakeholders.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
    • Jeffrey provides deep insights and experience.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
  • Up and ComingDana Shen
    Up and ComingDana Shen

    Dana Shen

    Dana Shen has a broad real estate practice, which covers leasing, transactions and joint ventures.

    • Dana has a very good business perspective.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
    • Dana is responsive, knowledgeable and very practical.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
  • Up and ComingIsabel Henkelman
    Up and ComingIsabel Henkelman

    Isabel Henkelman

    Isabel Henkelman garners strong market support for her work on real estate transactions.

    • Isabel is very knowledgeable, responsive and business-minded.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
    • Isabel is thorough and personable.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
    • Her management is seamless, proactive and solution-oriented.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
  • Up and ComingMatthew Schuman
    Up and ComingMatthew Schuman

    Matthew Schuman

    Matthew Schuman is a partner in the firm's municipal law group and is an excellent adviser on land use approvals and appeals.

    • Matthew has deep knowledge of the workings of the City of Toronto and is extremely hard-working.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
    • He has the ability to pick up the phone and find out what's going on.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
  • Up and ComingSarit Pandya
    Up and ComingSarit Pandya

    Sarit Pandya

    Sarit Pandya receives particularly strong market support for his work on real estate financing matters.

    • Sarit gives you clear advice and guidance.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
    • Sarit is knowledgeable, always available and responsive.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
    • He consistently offers nothing but the best when it comes to all levels of service.

      Real Estate respondentCanada

Ranked Individuals at McCarthy Tétrault LLP (11)

Ontario

Members

Provided by McCarthy Tétrault LLP

McCarthy Tétrault LLP has rankings in the following guides

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