Commercial real estate lawyer

Our client is seeking an Associate Lawyer with 3-5 years of experience in real estate law to join its growing Ottawa-based practice. This is an exceptional opportunity for a lawyer looking to move beyond routine residential conveyancing and build a sophisticated practice focused on real estate development, builder-side transactions, and commercial real estate matters. The successful candidate will join a collegial team with an established client base, strong mentorship, and a clear pathway for long-term growth and partnership.

About Our Client
Our client is a well-established and highly respected full-service law firm serving businesses, institutions, developers, and individuals throughout Eastern Ontario and beyond. The firm has built a strong reputation for delivering practical, strategic legal advice while maintaining a collaborative and supportive workplace culture.

Known for its commitment to professional excellence and client service, the firm offers lawyers the opportunity to work on sophisticated legal matters while enjoying a healthy work-life balance. With lower billing expectations than many comparable firms, a collegial environment, and a long-standing presence in the Ottawa market, the firm provides an attractive platform for lawyers seeking both professional development and long-term career stability.

About The Opportunity
Driven by increasing demand from builder and developer clients, the firm is expanding its real estate and development practice and is seeking an Associate Lawyer to play a key role in its continued growth.

The successful candidate will inherit meaningful work from an established client base and will have the opportunity to work on a broad range of development, planning, commercial real estate, and related solicitor matters. This role is ideal for a lawyer seeking greater exposure to development-related transactions, enhanced mentorship, and the opportunity to build a long-term practice within a highly regarded regional firm.

There is flexibility for the role to evolve based on the successful candidate’s interests and experience, including the potential to combine commercial real estate work with corporate/commercial or estates-related solicitor matters.

About The Position
Reporting to senior members of the real estate group, the Associate Lawyer will advise clients on a variety of residential, commercial, and development-related real estate matters. The role will involve managing transactions from inception to closing, reviewing and negotiating legal documentation, advising on planning and title-related issues, and supporting builder, developer, and commercial clients throughout the lifecycle of their projects.

The successful candidate will:

• Review and advise on agreements of purchase and sale, builder contracts, status certificates, financing documents, title searches, and development-related agreements.
• Manage residential purchases, sales, refinances, and builder-side transactions.
• Advise clients on planning, development, and land-use matters.
• Analyze historical title issues, first dealings, access concerns, and registry-related matters.
• Work closely with developers, builders, and commercial property owners on project-related legal matters.
• Supervise and support law clerks and junior team members throughout transaction processes.
• Collaborate with lawyers across practice groups to provide comprehensive client service.

The Requirements

• 3-5 years of experience practicing real estate law.
• Strong experience handling residential real estate transactions.
• Experience with commercial real estate transactions and development-related matters.
• Knowledge of land titles, title searching, planning issues, registry systems, and off-title matters.
• Ability to independently manage files and client relationships.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience supervising or mentoring law clerks is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of builder sales, development projects, and Planning Act matters is highly desirable.
• Experience in commercial law, corporate/commercial matters, or estate planning is considered an asset.
• Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset but not required.
• An existing book of business, whether full or partial, is considered an asset.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $100,000-150,000 with flexibility for the right candidate.
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Clear opportunity for long-term career growth and partnership consideration.
• Collegial, team-oriented culture with a strong emphasis on mentorship, professional development, and work-life balance.

At Aplin - together with our brands CompuStaff, Impact Recruitment, and Vantix Systems - we connect great people with great organizations across North America. We believe diverse teams build stronger companies, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We use AI tools to assist in a fair and efficient matching process, helping our recruiters connect the right people with the right opportunities. To be considered, applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada, including holding any required permits. Our recruitment services are always free for job seekers. Accommodation is available upon request throughout all stages of the recruitment process.