Senior Law Clerk Real Estate & Land Development — raw land, zoning & planning
Job Description
The opportunity
Our client is a well-established, highly regarded boutique law firm whose practice includes a strong real estate and land development component. Their client base spans developers, landowners, builders, and investors — working across raw land acquisitions, development approvals, and complex commercial real estate transactions.
They are looking for a senior law clerk who has worked on sophisticated land development matters and who can step in with minimal ramp-up time. The right person is comfortable managing files with limited supervision, communicates directly with clients and counterparts, and understands not just the mechanics of a transaction but the development context behind it.
What you'll be doing
Managing land development transaction files end-to-end — raw land acquisitions, option agreements, agreements of purchase and sale, and closings
Conducting and reviewing title searches, off-title searches, and due diligence in connection with development properties
Preparing, reviewing, and coordinating development agreements, subdivision agreements, site plan agreements, and related municipal documentation
Assisting lawyers on zoning, rezoning, official plan amendment, minor variance, and consent (severance) matters — tracking approval conditions and timelines
Preparing closing documents, reporting letters, and post-closing deliverables on complex real estate and land transactions
Liaising with clients, municipalities, Land Registry offices, and other external parties with professionalism and confidence
Working in Teraview for title searching, registration preparation, and e-reg closings
Supporting lawyers across the broader real estate and corporate practice as needed
What you bring
10 or more years of experience as a law clerk with a meaningful focus on real estate — and specifically on land development, raw land, or development-related transactions
Solid working knowledge of zoning, planning approvals, subdivision and severance processes, and the regulatory framework governing land development in Ontario
Hands-on proficiency with Teraview and familiarity with Ontario Land Registry practice
ILCO designation or equivalent formal training; Law Clerk diploma from an accredited program
The ability to manage multiple active files simultaneously with strong organizational skills and a high degree of accuracy
A professional, client-ready manner — comfortable corresponding directly with clients, municipal staff, and opposing counsel's offices
Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative, while knowing when to escalate