Department profile
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use

Canada Guide 2026 : Ontario

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Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

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About

Provided by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Osler’s Real Estate practice in Ontario is best known for advising on complex commercial real estate acquisitions, dispositions, investments, and syndications and financings in connection with real property of virtually every type (office properties, retail and mixed-use commercial centres, industrial and manufacturing sites, renewable energy installations, pipeline development projects, retirement living facilities, multi-family residential properties, and other hospitality/leisure properties and developments).

The core of Osler’s stand-alone practice involves advising real estate companies and clients with real estate assets critical to their businesses. The team is sought-after by major domestic and foreign-based clients for their business acumen, attention to risk, and ability to provide strategic advice, as evidenced by their role in several of the most complex real estate transactions that have taken place in Canada over the last 10 years.

Chambers Review

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Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use - Ontario

What the Team is Known For
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt has a well-established real estate practice in Ontario capable of providing the full spectrum of services to an enviable client base. The group is recognised for its experience of financings and joint venture developments, as well as advising on traditional acquisitions and dispositions. It often acts for REITs and clients from the retail and senior housing sectors. The team is also well placed to provide related tax and environmental law advice, as well as handling the real estate aspects of significant insolvencies. The firm demonstrates the growing ability to service clients seeking land use planning and municipal advice.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Osler advised RBC Canadian Core Real Estate Fund in connection with its acquisition and related joint-venture and management of a portfolio of approximately 40 properties across Canada. This included retail, office, industrial, mixed-use and multi-residential properties and a portfolio of land lease communities.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt is able to break down legal problems into simplified explanations.

    Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

  • The Osler team is always willing to go the extra mile.

    Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

  • The firm understands our business and it has the history to capably and efficiently provide advice.

    Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Chris Barnett
    Chris Barnett

    Chris Barnett

    Chris Barnett regularly handles municipal law matters, advising public and private entities on obtaining planning and development approvals. He also possesses notable experience representing clients before the OLT and other tribunals, as well as appearing before municipal councils and the courts.

    • He has a really strong, substantive background.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • Chris is very quick on the draw to put together summaries to ensure we are up to speed, and puts it in a very digestible way.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • He is very creative in finding arguments to support our position and he is an excellent advocate.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
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  • Rod Davidge
    Rod Davidge

    Rod Davidge

    Rod Davidge is especially prominent in real estate financings, where he often acts for lenders. His practice also includes expertise in property purchases and sales.

    • Rod has extremely strong commercial awareness.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • Rod has a wide breadth of understanding on areas which are required to deal with our business problems.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • Rod always provides us with a timely and effective service.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
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  • Paul Morassutti
    Paul Morassutti

    Paul Morassutti

    Paul Morassutti is chair of the firm's commercial real estate group. His practice spans the negotiation of leasing and master service agreements, as well as sales and acquisitions involving industrial and retail premises.

    • Paul is a strong and skilled leader.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
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  • Ryan Nielsen
    Ryan Nielsen

    Ryan Nielsen

    Ryan Nielsen is developing a solid reputation for his able handling of commercial real estate transactions and financing mandates. Nielsen's clients include REITs and other investors.

    • Ryan is an excellent resource, has excellent judgement and he has a good view of the market.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
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  • Savvas Kotsopoulos
    Savvas Kotsopoulos

    Savvas Kotsopoulos

    Savvas Kotsopoulos is a well-regarded commercial real estate lawyer, based out of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt's Toronto office. He handles an array of residential, retail and industrial property transactions for a number of investors.

    • Savvas is an extremely knowledgeable, practical and solution-oriented lawyer.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • Savvas is laser-focused on clients' interests.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • Savvas is an extremely bright, business-minded practitioner.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP (5)

Ontario

Members

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