Legal Counsel (Real Estate)

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 161,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Toronto is seeking a Legal Counsel (Real Estate) to provide expert guidance on commercial leasing, property acquisitions, and development projects within the Real Estate Partnerships unit. The role involves drafting, due diligence, risk management, and proactive advice on statutes, case law, and regulations affecting university real estate matters.

The successful candidate will have a law degree (LL.B/J.D.), be in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario, and possess 4–8

Qualifications

• Strong oral and written communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Contract drafting, negotiation, and implementation.
• Real estate transaction due diligence.
• Familiarity with Teraview to perform real estate searches independently.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on real estate issues including commercial leasing, acquisitions, and development.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts in a complex environment.
• Support due diligence and risk management in transactions.
• Perform legal research and monitor contractual obligations.
• Advise on statutory, regulatory, and policy developments affecting real estate matters.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Real estate transactions

Due diligence

Education

LL.B / J.D.

Bar in Ontario

Tools

Teraview

Job description

Legal Counsel (Real Estate)

Description

Reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel (Construction) and working in the Real Estate Partnerships unit, the incumbent will provide legal advice, expertise, and a range of legal services on real estate-related issues, including commercial leasing, acquisitions of property, and development projects. The provision of legal advice will also include a general requirement to advise proactively on developments in relevant statutes, regulations, policies, case law, legal exposures as well as risks and legal challenges and to assist on any legal issues that may arise. The incumbent will support the University’s broader legal group with specific focus on the University’s Real Estate Partnerships – Spaces and Experiences office, will maintain and monitor the legal and contractual obligations of the University; will undertake legal drafting; perform legal and reputational risk management activities; perform commercial transaction/due diligence documentary review; and perform legal research.

Qualifications Required

I. EDUCATION

A Bachelors of Law degree (LL.B) and/or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.

II. EXPERIENCE

Minimum of 4 years and up to 8 years’ experience in legal practice; Strong knowledge and experience with commercial real estate transactions, commercial leasing and land development law; Experience preparing, reviewing and negotiating contracts in a complex environment; knowledge of the University environment and experience working within a University or post-secondary education environment is an asset; Experience working simultaneously on a variety of complex projects with established deadlines and ad hoc requests is expected.

A combination of legal expertise and technical knowledge of commercial real estate and commercial lease issues, including purchases, assignments of lease, amendments of leases, commercial real estate transaction due diligence, Familiarity with procurement within the broader public sector and specifically, the Broader Public Sector Procurement Directive. Familiarity with municipal law would be valued assets.

III. SKILLS

• Demonstrated strong oral and written communication, interpersonal and analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Contract drafting, negotiation and implementation.
• Real estate transaction due diligence.
• Demonstrated use of Teraview to independently perform real estate searches with no assistance (i.e., this role will not be assisted by an in-house real estate law clerk).

IV. OTHER

Excellent analytical, interpretative and research skills; Diligent to detail and accuracy; Highly motivated with proven ability to work independently and as part of a team, meet tight deadlines and perform confidently under pressure and with changing priorities; Ability to proactively identify potential issues, gather and organize relevant information and devise solutions and action plans; Ability to exercise discretion, tact and ability to positively represent the University at all times; Able to work cooperatively and collegially with all components of the University constituents.

Please note

This role is based fully on-site at the St. George Campus.

Closing Date

10/28/2026, 11:59PM ET

Employee Group: Salaried

Personnel Subarea:PM

Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing

Schedule: Full-Time

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: The salary range is between $160, 585- $183, 528

Job Category: Legal

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

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Law, Risk Management, Procurement, Legal, Finance, Operations, Research