Real estate lawyers at the City enjoy being part of a large and knowledgeable team dealing with diverse and sophisticated real estate transactions in a uniquely urban structure. Our work ranges from relatively straightforward agreements with small landowners to highly complex transactions involving exceptionally valuable properties in the urban core.

As valued members of the Real Estate team, students will work with lawyers in providing advice to City Councillors, City Council and the City's Agencies, Boards, Commissions and Departments. Students will gain valuable practical experience through exposure to some of the following:

• Negotiating and preparing legal documents for purchase and sale, expropriation, tax sales, easements, leasing, licensing and other property transactions, while ensuring compliance with bylaw and statutory requirements
  
  
• Preparing bylaws for presentation to City Council relating to real estate transactions



• Providing ongoing interpretation and advice to protect the interests of the City under existing real estate documents



• Researching and drafting legal opinions and reports to City Committees and Council



• Apprising City Council and its Agencies, Boards, Commissions and Departments of relevant changes in real property law affecting the City's interests

Students will spend some time at the Land Registry Office, under the guidance of the conveyancing team, to learn about real property searches for real estate transactions, property standards, and release of construction holdbacks. Students will also learn how to register documents for all types of real estate transactions, Planning Act and Heritage Easement agreements, by-laws, discharges, and road closings.

The real estate bar in Ontario is currently experiencing a period of transition with the incoming electronic land registration system ("E-Reg"). Toronto has now commenced implementation of E-Reg. As part of our dedication to the continuing education of our students, the City of Toronto's Real Estate team will give students an introduction to electronic registration.