Matthew is a Partner in our Real Estate and Development Law, Construction Law, Litigation and Business Law Groups. In addition to his client practice, he serves on the firm’s Management Committee, where he is involved in governance, strategic planning, compliance, performance oversight, succession planning, financial stewardship and modernization of internal governance processes. His practice encompasses a broad range of real property, development, commercial, governance and expropriation matters with a particular focus on:
- Acquisitions, Dispositions & Financing of Vacant Land, Commercial & Residential Properties - Advising boards of directors, executives, corporations, builders, developers, entrepreneurs, family enterprises, investors and private portfolio owners on, and conducting due diligence for, the acquisition, disposition, and financing of various types of real property assets including, but not limited to, vacant land, apartment buildings, condominiums and subdivisions, build-to-suit single-tenant facilities, manufacturing, industrial and warehouse facilities, mixed-use projects, commercial and office buildings and complexes, as well as residential developments
- Land, Mixed-Use & Condominium Development - Preparing, drafting and reviewing construction and development agreements, expropriations, severance applications as well as advising on development projects, both freehold and condominium. Reviewing zoning issues and coordinating the registration and sale of freehold and condominium projects including disclosure packages whether residential, commercial or industrial in nature. Matthew also advises on condominium governance and transition matters, including developer to board turnover issues, governance procedures, by-laws, rules and policies
- Commercial, Industrial, Retail & Residential Leasing Matters - Negotiating, drafting, reviewing and providing advice regarding offers to lease, lease agreements and all related agreements on behalf of landlord and tenant clients for commercial, industrial, office and residential properties including mixed-use projects and condominiums. On average, Matthew negotiates leases for approximately 2 – 3 million square feet of gross leasable area per annum across the firm's current client portfolio
- Expropriation Law Matters - Exclusively representing personal and corporate landowners in expropriation matters by assembling and directing customized teams of specialists, which may include land use planners, appraisers, surveyors, engineers and other experts depending on the needs of the matter. He advises on a full range of expropriations, including fee simple takings, permanent easements, temporary easements and related compensation and valuation issues. His approach emphasizes strategic negotiation, evidentiary discipline and practical coordination with expropriation authorities in order to secure optimal outcomes while protecting landowners’ rights. Where necessary, the firm is prepared to zealously pursue litigation and tribunal proceedings to advance those interests
- Governance & Board Advisory - Advising boards of directors, executives, family enterprises, not for profit organizations, private portfolio owners and condominium corporations on governance frameworks, director duties, fiduciary obligations, conflicts, confidentiality, meeting process, compliance structures, succession planning, risk oversight, condominium governance instruments, including by-laws, rules and policies and defensible decision making. Matthew also regularly chairs annual and special meetings for condominium corporations, advises on turnover and transition issues and provides real time procedural and governance guidance in complex board and stakeholder environments
Prior to being called to the Bar in 2016 and obtaining his Juris Doctor from Queen's University in 2015, Matthew completed both his Honours Bachelor of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University (2010) and Master of Business Administration from the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University (2012) where he majored in strategic management and finance, respectively.
Drawing on his business acumen, governance experience and strategic judgment, as well as his prior experience as an entrepreneur, a financial analyst at one of Canada’s largest independent investment banks, an investigative analyst with the Integrated Market Enforcement Team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and a board advisor on intellectual property and commercialization strategy, Matthew delivers practical, commercially grounded advice and tailored, value added legal solutions to builders, developers, entrepreneurs, corporations, boards, family enterprises, investors, condominium corporations and non profits.
Outside of the office Matthew is a passionate soccer enthusiast, lead co-inventor on 14 issued and active US utility patents relating to augmented reality technologies, and is currently working towards his black belt in Taekwondo martial arts.