TRENDING: Brookfield Buys Shangri-La Vancouver From Westbank, Peterson

Real Estate Lawyer

Learn how real estate lawyers support Canadian buyers and sellers during property transactions, including title searches, legal documents, and closing procedures.

Real Estate Lawyer

May 22, 2025


What is a Real Estate Lawyer?

A real estate lawyer is a legal professional who specializes in property law, assisting with the legal aspects of buying, selling, or refinancing real estate.

Why Do Real Estate Lawyers Matter in Real Estate

In Canadian real estate, lawyers are often required to complete transactions. They ensure all legal documentation is properly prepared and reviewed, and that the title transfer process is completed without issues.


Roles of a real estate lawyer include:
  • Reviewing the Agreement of Purchase and Sale
  • Conducting title searches
  • Arranging title insurance
  • Handling mortgage registration
  • Managing closing funds in trust accounts

A lawyer protects the buyer’s or seller’s legal interests and ensures the transaction complies with provincial real estate law. They are especially critical in complex cases such as:
  • Estate sales
  • Foreclosures or power of sale
  • Disputes over easements or zoning


Understanding the role of a real estate lawyer helps ensure that your property transaction proceeds smoothly, lawfully, and with minimized legal risk.

Example of a Real Estate Lawyer in Action

A homebuyer in Alberta hires a real estate lawyer to review their purchase agreement, ensure the title is clear, and handle the legal closing process.

Key Takeaways

  • Manages legal aspects of real estate deals.
  • Required for closings in most provinces.
  • Ensures title and funds are properly transferred.
  • Reviews legal documents and resolves disputes.
  • Protects client interests in property transactions.

Related Terms

  • Notary Public
  • Title Search
  • Agreement of Purchase and Sale
  • Closing Process
  • Trust Account

Additional Terms

Budgeting

Budgeting in real estate refers to the process of forecasting and managing income and expenses associated with owning, operating, or developing a property.. more

Tenant Improvements

Tenant improvements refer to custom modifications or build-outs made to a leased space to suit the tenant’s operational needs, often negotiated as. more

Highest and Best Use

Highest and best use refers to the reasonably probable use of a property that results in the highest value, provided it is legally permissible,. more

Gross Lease

A gross lease is a commercial lease where the tenant pays a fixed rent, and the landlord covers most or all operating expenses such as property. more

Brownfield

A brownfield is a property that was previously used for industrial or commercial purposes and is now vacant or underused, often requiring. more

Record of Site Condition (RSC)

A Record of Site Condition (RSC) is a formal document filed with a provincial environmental authority certifying that a property meets required. more

More For You

Toronto Greenlights Cineplex Queensway, Coach Terminal Redevelopments And More

Toronto Greenlights Cineplex Queensway, Coach Terminal Redevelopments And More
Rendering of the Toronto Coach Terminal redevelopment/Studio Gang, architects–Alliance

Toronto City Council met for its June session last week, and members signed off on over a dozen housing proposals (and refused just one). Among the standout projects were the redevelopment of the city’s historic coach terminal and a massive master plan proposed for the site of Cineplex Cinemas Queensway.

Collectively, the approved developments are expected to add almost 10,000 new housing units to the city, and will hopefully play a part in Toronto reaching its target of 285,000 new homes by 2030. According to the Province, the city fell short of its 2024 goal of 23,750 housing starts, recording just 20,999 new units. Still, Toronto was awarded $67.2 million through the Building Faster Fund in early June for reaching 88% of its target for the year.

Keep ReadingShow less

Brookfield Buys Shangri-La Vancouver From Westbank & Peterson, Rebrands It As Hyatt

The 62-storey Shangri-La Vancouver at 1128 W Georgia Street.

The 62-storey Shangri-La Vancouver at 1128 W Georgia Street. / Hyatt

The Shangri-La Vancouver, one of the city's premier downtown hotels, has been acquired by Canadian multinational investment firm Brookfield, STOREYS has learned.

The Shangri-La Vancouver is located within the 62-storey mixed-use complex located between W Georgia Street and Alberni Street along Thurlow Street. The 62-storey tower at the corner houses 119 hotel rooms on the first 15 floors and 307 residences above. The ground level and an adjacent three-storey building houses retail space, including Vancouver Art Gallery - Offsite, an outdoor public exhibition space curated by the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Keep ReadingShow less
TRENDING: Brookfield Buys Shangri-La Vancouver From Westbank, Peterson

Historic Cabbagetown Duplex Offers Canadian Star Quality And Timeless Style

Historic Cabbagetown Duplex Offers Canadian Star Quality And Timeless Style

In the heart of Cabbagetown, on one of the neighbourhood’s most picturesque, tree-lined blocks, this stately Victorian exudes historic charm — with an added touch of Canadian star quality.

Thoughtfully redesigned and maintained by Canadian actress and broadcaster Shauna MacDonald — known for memorable roles in Trailer Park Boys, These Arms of Mine, and This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and for her celebrated tenure as a CBC Radio One announcer — 451 Sackville Street, listed for $1,935,000, offers a rare chance to own a fully restored residence that seamlessly blends architectural heritage, timeless craftsmanship, and contemporary luxury.

Designed as two distinct, self-contained suites, the home is as versatile as it is beautiful — ideal for multigenerational living, rental income, dedicated work-from-home space, or simply an expansive personal residence that exudes unique character and style.

Keep ReadingShow less

6 Major Toronto Development Proposals From June

6 Major Toronto Development Proposals From June
36-40 Avondale Avenue/DIALOG

From Etobicoke to Scarborough, unassuming parcels of land across the Greater Toronto Area are constantly being eyed up and targeted for housing development by the region's (and country's) array of industrious builders and developers. And, as the City sees a steady stream of building applications, STOREYS is right there waiting to sift through architectural plans and planning rationales for the best and biggest (and coolest!) coming up across the region.

Each month brings something different, from affordable housing to multi-tower luxury condos — but here are six stand-out submissions that were on our radar in the month of June.

Keep ReadingShow less

Ontario Real Estate And Development Industry Moves and Hires: June 2025

Ontario Real Estate And Development Industry Moves and Hires: June 2025
Clockwise from top left: Zachary Vaughan, Tony Irwin, Wallace Wang, Shoon Huggett, Gregory Sweeny, Jie Chen.

Like our ever-changing cities and towns, Ontario's real estate and development landscape (and the people who make it run) are also ever-changing. From new hires and retirements to promotions and partnerships, here are all the notable moves you should know about from June.

Development

  • Gregory Sweeney has joined Graywood Developments as COO.
  • Lena Kamenetska has joined Hazelview Investments as Partner, Investor Relations & Account Management.
  • Namit Bhavsar has joined GWL Realty Advisors as VP of Leasing & Marketing, Residential.
  • James Isenberg has joined QuadReal as VP of Human Resources.
  • Oren Jourdan has joined Allied Properties REIT as Director of Construction and Development.
  • Andrew Berndt has joined Lankin Investments as Director of Private Capital Markets.
  • Christian Bulza has joined PwC's Real Estate Advisory Team as Senior Manager of Deals.
  • Brendan Flowers has been promoted to Development Manager at SmartCentres REIT.
  • Chris Wu has joined Peakhill Capital as a Senior Associate, and Daria Savchenko has joined as Associate.
  • Benjamin Tse has joined Forum Asset Management as a Real Estate Investments Associate.
  • Aleksander Sluzynski has joined Crestpoint Real Estate Investments as an Asset Management Analyst.

Brokerages

  • Julian Smith has been promoted to SVP of Climate and Decarbonization Practice Director at JLL Canada.
  • Charles Pint has been promoted to VP of Toronto West at Colliers.
  • Jake MacLachlan has joined Cushman & Wakefield as Senior Analyst of Real Estate Capital Markets, and Charlie Musgrave has joined as a VP at the Toronto office.
  • Jennifer Millar has joined CBRE Toronto as AVP.
  • Lambrini Litsa has been promoted to Director of Marketing Services at Sotheby's International Realty Canada.

Government

  • Shoon Huggett has been promoted to VP of Financial Analysis & Advisory at CreateTO.

Finance

  • Palak Trivedi has been promoted to Managing Director of Infrastructure at CPP Investments.
  • Andrew Athey has joined RBC as Associate Director of Commercial Mortgage Finance & Securitization.
  • Devon Cole has been promoted to Senior Relationship Manager of Real Estate Finance at CIBC.
  • Hassan Tariq has been promoted to Portfolio Manager of Real Estate Investments at Canada Post Pension Plan.
  • Adam Newell has been promoted to VP at Oakbank Capital.

Architecture and Design

  • Jie Chen has been appointed as Chair of DIALOG’s new Ottawa studio, which will officially open this December.

Other

National

  • Tony Irwin has been named President & CEO of the Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations, rebranded Rental Housing Canada. Rental Housing Canada has also appointed its 2025 Board of Directors.
  • Wallace Wang has been named CFO of Bridgemarq Real Estate Services (parent company of Royal LePage), effective July 1.
  • Denis Dubois has been appointed as President and CEO of Desjardins Group.
  • Zachary Vaughan has been appointed CEO of Northwest Healthcare Properties REIT, effective July 2, and is succeeding Craig Mitchell, who has retired.
  • Les Miller, CEO of Crown Realty Partners, retired on June 30 after 23 years, and the firm is now led by the three managing partners.
Sign up for our newsletters for weekly updates on hirings, promotions, and job vacancies. To spotlight a new hire or an open position that needs to be filled, email: advertising@storeys.com.
TRENDING: Ontario Real Estate And Development Industry Hires And Promotions

Ontario Lowers 2026 Rent Cap To 2.1%, Tightest In Four Years

Ontario Lowers 2026 Rent Cap To 2.1%, Tightest In Four Years
Shutterstock

Despite recent rent decreases, including a 3.6% annual dip recorded in May, Ontario remains the priciest province for renters in the country. At the same time, ongoing trade tensions have created economic uncertainty for all Canadians, and those who pay their shelter costs month to month are particularly vulnerable.

Given the precarious backdrop, the Ontario government has opted to cap rent increases at just 2.1% for 2026. At 2.5%, the cap for 2025 constituted a country-wide low and marked the third consecutive year of it being held at that level.

Keep ReadingShow less
IN THE KNOW: Ontario Lowers 2026 Rent Cap To 2.1%, Tightest In Four Years

BC Real Estate And Development Industry Hires And Promotions: June 2025

​Clockwise from top centre: Wing Ng, Zenterra Developments, Nicholas Frappell, Susan Thompson, Rob Blouin, Marcus & Millichap

Clockwise from top centre: Wing Ng, Zenterra Developments, Nicholas Frappell, Susan Thompson, Rob Blouin, Marcus & Millichap

Another month has come and passed, and another group of companies have made some notable hires or promotions, even as the real estate and development industry in British Columbia (and beyond) continues to struggle.

Commercial real estate brokerages Marcus & Millichap made a series of promotions, while Avison Young and Colliers both made two big hires, as did big-name developers like Concert Properties, Wesgroup, and Wesbild.

Keep ReadingShow less

Modern Comfort Meets Tailored Elegance At This Summerhill Classic

Modern Comfort Meets Tailored Elegance At This Summerhill Classic

In the heart of Summerhill, tucked between the quiet prestige of Avenue Road and the urban charm of Yonge Street, sits one of Toronto’s most coveted residential pockets — and at its centre, a home that gets everything right.

Welcome to 137 Marlborough Place, where classic midtown character meets elevated, contemporary design. This 3-bedroom, 2-bath residence was fully renovated in 2017, and now strikes a pitch-perfect balance between comfort, sophistication, and family-friendly function.

Keep ReadingShow less
Privacy PolicyAbout UsTerms of UseAdvertise with UsJobsContact UsRSS Feed
2025 © STOREYS Publishing Inc. | All Rights Reserved