Firm Profile

REID Legal is a Montreal-based boutique law firm dedicated exclusively to commercial real estate. Founded by Sara Reid, a seasoned commercial real estate lawyer with over a decade of experience representing institutional landlords, REITs and asset managers, the firm has quickly established itself as a trusted advisor in Quebec’s highly competitive real estate market. REID Legal brings to clients the rigour and sophistication of a large national firm, coupled with the agility, focus and efficiency of a boutique practice.

The firm’s practice is concentrated in two complementary areas: commercial leasing and acquisitions and dispositions of real estate assets. Within these core areas, REID Legal has earned a reputation for providing strategic, pragmatic and commercially attuned advice to clients with complex and high-value portfolios. Whether negotiating a triple-net industrial lease, structuring a sale-leaseback transaction, or advising on a subdivision and disposition, the firm’s approach is to protect value, anticipate risks, and ensure that clients’ business objectives drive the legal strategy.

Commercial Leasing

Commercial leasing is at the heart of REID Legal’s practice. The firm regularly acts for institutional landlords, pension funds, REITs, asset managers and private developers in the negotiation of office, industrial and retail leases across Quebec. The team is particularly well-known for its depth of expertise in industrial leasing, a sector that has seen rapid growth and transformation in recent years. REID Legal advises on build-to-suit facilities, long-term net leases, expansion and relocation arrangements, as well as complex lease restructurings and terminations.

The firm’s landlord-side leasing practice is complemented by selective tenant mandates, often for sophisticated tenants where industry knowledge and strategic negotiation skills are paramount. This dual perspective enhances the team’s ability to anticipate counterparty positions and resolve issues efficiently. The firm also has experience advising on multi-tenant retail developments, including strip malls and redeveloped retail plazas, where exclusivity rights, co-tenancy clauses and anchor tenant negotiations require careful navigation.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

REID Legal also advises on acquisitions and dispositions of commercial real estate assets, from single-asset transactions to more complex structures. The firm is experienced in navigating Quebec-specific challenges such as municipal pre-emption rights, cadastral operations, and the preparation of deeds of sale and hypothecary discharges. Clients rely on the team to manage every stage of a transaction - from negotiating the purchase agreement and conducting due diligence to closing - while keeping financing, leasing and operational considerations aligned.

Recent mandates include advising on sale-leaseback transactions, industrial plant sales, land sales to municipalities, and subdivision projects. The firm is also active in mixed-use and co-ownership structures, where transactional and leasing issues intersect. REID Legal is known for delivering clear, decisive advice that keeps transactions moving forward and protects client interests in negotiations.

Distinctive Approach

What sets REID Legal apart is not only its exclusive focus on commercial real estate, but also its boutique model. By concentrating on a defined practice area and maintaining a lean structure, the firm is able to offer highly responsive service, predictable pricing, and deep partner involvement on every file. Clients benefit from sophisticated, business-minded advice without the layers of staffing and cost that often accompany larger firms.

This approach resonates with institutional clients managing significant leasing volumes and deal pipelines, who appreciate the combination of efficiency and quality. It also attracts entrepreneurial developers and private investors seeking top-tier expertise with pragmatic execution.

The firm’s culture is grounded in collaboration, precision, and an entrepreneurial mindset. REID Legal invests heavily in training, knowledge management and process discipline, ensuring that all deliverables are consistent, timely and value-added. The firm embraces technology and modern workflows, positioning itself as both agile and client-centric.

Recognition and Reputation

Sara Reid has been recognized in Lexpert and Best Lawyers Canada for her expertise in commercial leasing, reflecting her standing as one of Quebec’s leading leasing practitioners. Within just one year of its founding, REID Legal gained recognition in the Quebec legal market for being strategic, highly responsive, and able to simplify complex real estate issues while balancing technical rigour with commercial pragmatism.

Clients and Industries

The firm’s client base includes some of the largest institutional landlords and asset managers in Quebec, as well as pension funds, REITs, national retailers, and private developers. The team advises across industries, with particular strength in industrial, office and retail assets. REID Legal is also increasingly active in mixed-use and redevelopment projects, where leasing and transactional expertise must be seamlessly integrated.

Commitment to Growth and Excellence

The firm is in a phase of thoughtful growth, having welcomed its first associate and continuing to build a team that shares its vision of delivering big-law quality in a boutique setting. Its long-term goal is to be recognized as the premier commercial real estate boutique in Montreal, while remaining true to its values of agility, excellence and client focus.

For clients, this translates into a team that is not only responsive and pragmatic, but also relentless in protecting value and driving transactions to successful completion.

Conclusion

REID Legal represents a new model in Quebec’s legal market: a boutique firm with a singular focus on commercial real estate, delivering institutional-grade expertise with speed, efficiency and precision. The firm’s reputation for excellence in commercial leasing and real estate transactions continues to grow, supported by a strong client roster and a commitment to anticipating the needs of a rapidly evolving market.

For clients seeking sophisticated, business-driven advice in commercial real estate, REID Legal is a trusted partner that combines deep legal knowledge with a reputation for resolving complexity and securing results that matter.