The real estate team at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP remains a force in the marketplace, harnessing the bench strength of offices in Toronto, Montreal and New York, to advise institutional investors, managers, pension funds, developers and REITs (including Ivanhoé Cambridge and The Blackstone Group), on a diverse spectrum of matters, ranging from acquisitions, dispositions and long-term ground leasing to financing, construction and development. The team is jointly led by Gregory Southam, who brings expertise in private-public partnership (PPP) and infrastructure projects; Steven Martin, who brings strength in the sale and purchase, leasing and development of major commercial and residential projects; Gabriella Lombardi, who brings extensive experience acting for pension funds and public companies; and Anthony Arquin, who specializes in mixed-use complexes and commercial co-ownerships in Montreal. Other figures of note include David Reiner, who manages complex joint ventures and acquisitions and dispositions involving stabilized properties and development projects; Gregory Howard, who draws on 35 years in the practice space; and Sylvie Samson in Montreal, who excels in negotiations and the drafting of commercial agreements. Key support is provided by associate Katrina Brazzell. Robert Bauer retired in January 2024. Unless noted, all lawyers mentioned work in the Toronto office.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team is very responsive and provides a deep set of experiences. They are equally able to assist with advice on larger strategic issues and also with providing us with agreements and advice on smaller transactions and day to day operations. The breadth and depth of the expertise within the team is a true asset.’
‘A sense of true partnership. Strong expertise and attention to detail. Very responsive and professional. They have earned our confidence and respect time and time again. Even our smaller projects are taken with the same seriousness as our larger ones, addressed promptly and with great care.’
Key clients
- TPG
- Cadillac Fairview
Work highlights
- Acted as counsel to TPG Global in its C$1.3bn acquisition deal of two Class-A industrial business parks in the Greater Toronto Area.
- Acting for Korea-based EcoPro BM in its C$1.2bn joint venture with Ford and SK On to build a cathode manufacturing facility to produce electric vehicle battery materials in Bécancour, Quebec.