David Ross Photo
David Ross Photo
David Ross Photo

David Ross is a leading business lawyer with over 30 years of experience in commercial real estate law. With exceptional expertise in the commercial leasing of office, industrial, retail and mixed-use developments, he also practises extensively in the acquisition, development and disposition of all types of real property. Legal directories consistently recognize David for his work in real estate law and property leasing. David is a leader of the firm’s Leasing Group.

An experienced solicitor in construction matters, David assists project owners, developers and construction managers. He drafts, reviews and advises on construction contracts, construction management contracts and contracts for professional services relating to construction.

David’s clients include large and small landlords and tenants, corporate and individual real estate investors, developers and operators, financial institutions, trustees and receivers. His diverse industry knowledge encompasses manufacturing as well as the food, beverage and agribusiness sector.


Expertise


Representative Matters

  • Represented RBC Financial Group in the lease of its 821,000 square foot office facility in Mississauga
  • Represented RBC Financial Group in the Canada wide lease back of its premises when it sold its Canadian office building and data centre portfolio
  • Represented GWL Realty Advisors Inc. in Ontario in its lease to Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in the office building portfolio acquired by the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation
  • Represented Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada on the award winning lease transaction (2002 NAIOP Real Estate Excellence Award for Office Lease Deal of the Year) that resulted in its 204,000 square foot office facility located in the former Eaton’s store at Sheridan Centre, Mississauga
  • Represented Panoramic Hospitality Inc. on the sale of the 227-room Radisson Hotel & Suites Fallsview, Niagara Falls, Ontario
  • Represented Towertropolis Inc. on the sale of Minolta Tower, Niagara Falls, Ontario, a mixed use hotel, retail and restaurant complex, and the coincident management agreement which it retained
  • Represented Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada on the negotiation of its new head office lease in downtown Toronto and the related sale of its downtown Toronto head office building
  • Represented Honda Canada on the acquisition of the greenfield site for its corporate campus project
  • Represented Hershey Canada on the negotiation of its head office lease and related agreements, including a design services agreement and construction management agreement
  • Represented Becton Dickinson Canada on the negotiation of its head office lease and related agreements
  • Represented Porsche Cars Canada on the negotiation of a new lease for its new corporate head office, training centre and retail showroom
  • Represented Porsche Cars Canada on the negotiation of its lease and related construction agreements for its new Canadian parts distribution centre
  • Represented HSBC Bank Canada on the negotiation of its new Eastern Canada head office lease
  • Represent HSBC Bank Canada in connection with its office and branch leasing matters throughout Canada

Speaking Engagements

The Old Switcharoo: Advanced Assignments, Subletting and Other Transfer Issues, Panellist and Co-Author, ICSC 2013 Canadian Shopping Centre Law Conference

February 2013

Negotiating Transfer Provisions, Breakfast Roundtable, ICSC Canadian Shopping Centre Law Conference

February 2011

Tenant Transfers, Real Leasing Conference - York Communications

September 2010

Ground Leases - A Primer, Breakfast Roundtable, ICSC Canadian Shopping Centre Law Conference

March 2009

News


Rankings & Recognition

  • Recognized in the 2023 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the area of Property Leasing
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2023) as a leading lawyer in the area of Real Estate Law
  • Recognized in the 2022 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the area of Property Leasing
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2022) as a leading lawyer in the area of Real Estate Law
  • Recognized in the 2021 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the area of Property Leasing
  • Recognized by the Best Lawyers in Canada (2021) as a leading lawyer in the area of Real Estate Law
  • Recognized in the 2020 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended lawyer in the area of Property Leasing
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2020) as a leading lawyer in the area of Real Estate Law
  • Recognized in the 2019 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended lawyer in the area of Property Leasing
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2019) as a leading lawyer in the area of Real Estate Law
  • Recognized in the 2018 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended lawyer in the area of Property Leasing
  • Recognized in Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2017 as repeatedly recommended in Property Leasing
  • Recognized as a leading practitioner in Real Estate Law in the Best Lawyers in Canada 2017, 2018
  • Listed as a leading practitioner in Property Leasing in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016

Directorships & Affiliations

  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Ontario Bar Association
  • Law Society of Ontario
  • Commercial Real Estate Development Association (NAIOP)
  •  International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC)

Education & Admissions

1981
Called to the Ontario bar
1979
LLBDalhousie University
1976
BAUniversity of Western Ontario

Publications

Insights (21 Posts)View More

Featured Insight

Unmasking Employer Accommodation Obligations and Mutual Frustrations

Arbitration decision highlights employer's duty to accommodate in mandatory mask policy; Unifor Local 333 v Moore Packaging Corp.; frustration of employment

Read More
Dec 8, 2021
Featured Insight

Evidence of ESG in the Construction and Development Industry

An overview of ESG initiatives in Construction & Development; key information for those looking to implement their own ESG strategies

Read More
Aug 18, 2021
Featured Insight

Plan for the Ban:
Plastics Classified as “Toxic Substance”
Under Canadian Environmental Protection Act

Plastics are classified under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act as a toxic substance and amendments are proposed to prohibit the export of plastic waste

Read More
Jul 20, 2021
Featured Insight

An International Overview of Existing Climate-Related Insurance Initiatives: Finding the Right Path for Canada

Part of our ESG initiative, this article summarizes existing climate-related insurance initiatives and suggests programs that may be most successful in Canada.

Read More
Jun 30, 2021
Featured Insight

Doing business between US and Canada? What you need to know – Part One

This is part one of two of our featured panel discussions on Immigration and Employment considerations when doing business between US and Canada.

Details
December 15, 2020 - 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm EST
Featured Insight

Protecting Small Business Act, 2020 – Ontario’s Temporary Ban on Commercial Tenant Evictions

This Act was enacted to temporarily protect commercial tenants from eviction for rent arrears as a result of the effects of COVID-19 under eligible tenancies.

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Jun 29, 2020
Featured Insight

April 30 Update: Rent Relief on its Way for Small Businesses and Commercial Landlords

Government announces commercial rent relief for small businesses

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Apr 30, 2020
Featured Insight

The HBC Privatization: OSC Provides New Guidance For a Special Committee Process and Reconfirms Disclosure Obligations in Conflict of Interest Transactions

Ontario Securities Commission provides new guidance regarding the role and responsibilities of a special committee in a conflicted going private transaction.

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Mar 3, 2020
Featured Insight

Stay Tuned: Ontario Proposes Sweeping Changes to Class Proceedings Act

The Ontario Government is proposing significant changes to the Class Proceedings Act that will address problems faced by parties over the last 30 years.

Read More
Dec 16, 2019
Featured Insight

Ontario’s New Cabinet Revealed

On Friday, June 29, 2018, Ontario's new government was sworn in. Who are the new players and what will they bring to their new roles?

Read More
Jul 16, 2018
Featured Insight

The WELL Building Standard

WELL Standard is a way for owners and occupants in commercial real estate to maximize returns and efficiencies through improvements to physical environment

Read More
Jan 8, 2018
Featured Insight

Federal Jurisdiction in Municipal Matters: What Happens When the Provinces or Municipalities Step on Federal Toes?

Federal Jurisdiction in Municipal Matters: What Happens When the Provinces or Municipalities Step on Federal Toes?

Read More
Mar 13, 2017
Featured Insight

A Road Map for Wrongful Dismissal Damages from the Ontario Court of Appeal: Maltreatment of Deaf Employee Requires Appellate Intervention

A Road Map for Wrongful Dismissal Damages from the Ontario Court of Appeal: Maltreatment of Deaf Employee Requires Appellate Intervention

Read More
Jul 6, 2016
Featured Insight

CSA Propose Reforms to the Client-Registrant Relationship Model and a Regulatory Best Interest Standard

CSA Propose Reforms to the Client-Registrant Relationship Model and a Regulatory Best Interest Standard

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Jun 14, 2016
Featured Insight

Employers Beware – Fixed-Term Employment Traps: If You’re Going to “Benson”, You Need Hedges

Employers Beware Fixed-Term Employment Traps: If Youre Going to Benson, You Need Hedges

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Apr 15, 2016
Featured Insight

Can the New Crowdfunding Exemption Be Used for Debt Securities?

Can the New Crowdfunding Exemption Be Used for Debt Securities?

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Jan 6, 2016
Featured Insight

Federal Government Issues Guidance under the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act

Federal Government Issues Guidance under the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act

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Sep 18, 2015
Featured Insight

2 Become 1: CSA Proposes Creation of Single Exempt Distribution Reporting Regime

2 Become 1: CSA Proposes Creation of Single Exempt Distribution Reporting Regime

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Aug 20, 2015
Featured Insight

International Payments in RMB

International Payments in RMB

Read More
Mar 27, 2015
Featured Insight

Knock, Knock: Responding to Search Warrants and Inspections in the Environmental Law Context

Knock, Knock: Responding to Search Warrants and Inspections in the Environmental Law Context

Read More
Feb 22, 2015
Featured Insight

Crowdfunding – Could it help finance innovation in Canada?

Crowdfunding – Could it help finance innovation in Canada?

Read More
Apr 2, 2012

Deals & Cases (18 Posts)

Featured Insight

Westbank’s Mirvish Village

Westbank Projects Corp. proposed an extensive redevelopment in Toronto’s iconic Bloor West/Annex neighbourhood at the former location of the landmark Honest Ed’s Department Store.

Read More
Sep 1, 2020
Featured Insight

Canadian Cancer Society Amalgamates with Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

The Canadian Cancer Society completed its amalgamation with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation following their announcement to merge in October 2016. McMillan LLP was retained on the transaction by the Canadian Cancer Society.

Read More
Feb 9, 2019
Featured Insight

Thoma Bravo acquires autoTRADER Corporation for C$1.575 billion

Thoma Bravo acquires autoTRADER Corporation for C$1.575 billion

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Sep 28, 2016
Featured Insight

Thoma Bravo to Acquire TRADER Corporation

Thoma Bravo to Acquire TRADER Corporation

Read More
Jul 1, 2016
Featured Insight

Goodman & Company, Investment Counsel Inc. launches Core Equity Strategy fund

Goodman & Company, Investment Counsel Inc. launches Core Equity Strategy fund

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Apr 1, 2016
Featured Insight

Goodman & Company, Investment Counsel Inc. launches Partners Strategy fund

Goodman & Company, Investment Counsel Inc. launches Partners Strategy fund

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Feb 19, 2016
Featured Insight

Maxit Capital LP provides fairness opinions and acts as financial advisor to Solitario and Ely Gold

Maxit Capital LP provides fairness opinions and acts as financial advisor to Solitario and Ely Gold

Read More
Aug 25, 2015
Featured Insight

Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. completes sale of two dealerships

Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. completes sale of two dealerships

Read More
Aug 1, 2015
Featured Insight

Healthcare Special Opportunities Fund completes IPO and raises $70 million

Healthcare Special Opportunities Fund completes IPO and raises $70 million

Read More
Jul 15, 2015
Featured Insight

Inspira Financial Inc. closes qualifying transaction with Chrysalis Capital IX Corporation

Inspira Financial Inc. closes qualifying transaction with Chrysalis Capital IX Corporation

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Jul 7, 2015

Medicure Inc. completes $4 million bought deal private placement

Medicure Inc. completes $4 million bought deal private placement

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Jun 26, 2015
Featured Insight

People Corporation completes $14.4 Million bought deal private placement

People Corporation completes $14.4 Million bought deal private placement

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May 15, 2015
Featured Insight

Patient Home Monitoring Corp. completes $67.3 million bought deal

Patient Home Monitoring Corporation completes $67.3 million bought deal

Read More
May 4, 2015
Featured Insight

Convalo Health International, Corp. closes $17.25M bought deal financing

Convalo Health International, Corp. closes $17.25M bought deal financing

Read More
Apr 25, 2015
Featured Insight

McMillan helps complete the cross-border sale of assets of Montreal, Maine & Atlantic railway deals

McMillan helps complete the cross-border sale of assets of Montreal, Maine & Atlantic railway deals.

Read More
Jul 6, 2014
Featured Insight

Detour Gold completes $176 million bought deal offering

On June 11, 2013, Detour Gold completed a bought deal offering in Canada and the U.S. of 20,125,000 common shares at a price of $8.75 per common share for aggregate gross proceeds of $176,093,750.

Read More
Jun 11, 2013
Featured Insight

Detour Gold Completes $277 million bought deal offering

On February 14, 2012, Detour Gold completed a bought deal offering in Canada and the U.S. of 9,890,000 common shares

Read More
Feb 14, 2012
Featured Insight

Detour Gold completes $427.7 million bought deal offering

Detour Gold completes $427.7 million bought deal offering

Read More
Aug 4, 2011