Partner
“The best tax lawyer I have worked with – he gets the best results.”
Chambers Global 2016
John advises on tax aspects of domestic and international business ventures for significant public and private companies in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, with a focus on the real estate industry. He is lead adviser to a number of Canadian-based multinational groups on the tax structuring of their global investments.
Clients value John for his extensive domestic and international tax knowledge, with one client saying John’s advice is “brilliant.” They appreciate that he takes on complex tax issues but can “discuss them in an intelligent yet simple way.” (Chambers Global 2016)
Canadian public and private real estate companies, REITs, and funds and other multinationals rely on John’s judgment. Known for his creativity, he is a pioneer in the establishment of cross-border REITs. He frequently advises international funds and corporations on investing in Canada.
Partner
“The best tax lawyer I have worked with – he gets the best results.”
Chambers Global 2016
John advises on tax aspects of domestic and international business ventures for significant public and private companies in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, with a focus on the real estate industry. He is lead adviser to a number of Canadian-based multinational groups on the tax structuring of their global investments.
Clients value John for his extensive domestic and international tax knowledge, with one client saying John’s advice is “brilliant.” They appreciate that he takes on complex tax issues but can “discuss them in an intelligent yet simple way.” (Chambers Global 2016)
Canadian public and private real estate companies, REITs, and funds and other multinationals rely on John’s judgment. Known for his creativity, he is a pioneer in the establishment of cross-border REITs. He frequently advises international funds and corporations on investing in Canada.
The Blackstone Group Inc.
Acted for real estate funds managed by The Blackstone Group Inc. and their affiliates in Blackstone's $6.2-billion all-cash acquisition of Dream Global Real Estate Investment Trust and the separation of its external asset manager, Dream Asset Management.
Graywood Group
Acting for the Graywood Group with the acquisition and development of Fish Creek Exchange in Calgary, Alberta, which is a new community consisting of mid-rise mixed-use buildings and townhomes.
Graywood Group
Acting for the Graywood Group on the formation of a 50/50 joint venture for the development of a 47-storey condominium tower to be located at the corner of Peter and Adelaide in Toronto, Ontario, which will contain 695 residences and ground level retail.
Granite REIT
Acted as tax counsel to Granite REIT in its sale of a real estate portfolio in the United States and Canada for $400 million.
RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust
Acted for RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust on Canadian and US tax matters in connection with the US$1.9-billion sale of its portfolio of 49 shopping centres, located in the Northeastern U.S. and Texas, to Blackstone Real Estate Partners.
Fortress Investment Group, LLC and Holiday Retirement
Acted for Fortress Investment Group, LLC and Holiday Retirement in connection with the sale of 29 Canadian senior living communities to Ventas, Inc.
Spear Street Capital, LLC
Acted for Spear Street Capital, LLC in connection with its $305-million purchase of the majority of BlackBerry Limited's real estate holdings in Canada, including its global headquarters in Waterloo, Ontario. BlackBerry sold more than 3 million square feet of space as well as vacant lands, and leased back a portion of the space.
IPC Jerusalem Ltd.
Acted for IPC Jerusalem Ltd. in connection with the development of The Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem Hotel, a new five-star hotel in Jerusalem.
Update on REITs and Structuring Public Vehicles for Investment in Canadian and Foreign Real Estate
Dec. 31, 2014 - Report of Proceedings of Sixty-fifth Tax Conference, 2013 Tax Conference Report (Canadian Tax Foundation)
Chapter 6: Capital Gains on Shares Under Reorganizations
Nov. 30, 2013 - Taxation of Companies on Capital Gains on Shares under Domestic Law, EU Law and Tax Treaties, Vol. 10 – EC and International Tax Law Series (Toronto: IBFD)
Purchase a copy of Taxation of Companies on Capital Gains on Shares under Domestic Law, EU Law and Tax Treaties.
Essays on Tax Treaties: A Tribute to David A. Ward
Jan. 31, 2013 - (Toronto: Canadian Tax Foundation, IBFD)
Purchase a copy of Essays on Tax Treaties: A Tribute to David A. Ward.
Canadian Tax Foundation, 2013 annual conference, “Update on REITs and Structuring Public Vehicles for Investment in Canadian and Foreign Real Estate”
Jan. 01, 2013
OECD and the Italian Council of Ministers, Milan seminar, “Capital Gains on Shares Under Reorganizations”
Jan. 01, 2012
Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business—Tax (Band 1)
Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business—Tax (Band 1)
Tax Directors Handbook—TDH250
The Legal 500 Canada—Tax (Leading Lawyer)
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory—Corporate Tax; Estate and Personal Tax Planning: Estate and Tax Planning
The Best Lawyers in Canada—Tax Law (Lawyer of the Year 2020, Toronto)
Who’s Who Legal: Canada—Corporate Tax; Who’s Who Legal: Corporate Tax—Advisory
Expert Guides—Tax
Ontario, 1980
Harvard Law School, LLM, 1979
Osgoode Hall Law School, LLB (Gold Medallist), 1977
Canadian Tax Foundation
International Fiscal Association
Graywood Developments Ltd., vice-chairman
Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto
