Legal Counsel, Real Estate and Development Law

Position Details

• Job Type: Permanent Full Time
• Job Category: Legal
• Number Of Positions: 1
• Date Posted: October 8, 2026
• Closing Date: October 29, 2026
• Salary: $169,343.00 - $198,107.00/Year
• Schedule: Monday to Friday
• Union: Non-union
• Vacancy Type: Existing
• Eligible For AWA: Yes
• Physical Location: City Hall

Position Overview

Reporting to the Deputy City Solicitor, Real Estate & Development Law, your responsibilities will include:

• Providing a full range of timely, pragmatic, and high-quality legal services to City Council, Senior Management, and staff regarding complex development and real estate matters.
• Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating sophisticated agreements related to residential, commercial, and industrial land development.
• Providing clear and concise advice with respect to all aspects of a variety of real estate transactions with both private and public sector entities.
• Drafting reports and providing advice to Council on general development, real estate, and municipal matters in both public and in camera forums.
• Reviewing and drafting contracts and representing the City in negotiations on various real estate related agreements as applicable.
• Working closely with the Real Estate Department in implementing the City’s real estate strategies.
• Handling all real estate legal matters for the Corporation, including those related to land development applications, capital projects, development finance and complex title review and opinions.
• Managing acquisitions, dispositions, land exchanges and dedications of land to the City, including road widenings, reserves, parkland and infrastructure parcels.
• Drafting and negotiating agreements of purchase and sale, and handling requisitions, closing documents and statements of adjustments.
• Conducting title searches and due diligence, and resolving title defects before closing.
• Preparing, executing and electronically registering transfers, charges, discharges, postponements, notices and applications under the Land Titles Act.
• Drafting, negotiating and registering easements, rights-of-way and restrictive covenants, both in favour of and over City lands, for municipal services, utilities, access and maintenance.

Qualifications and Experience

• Successful completion of a University Degree in Law (L.L.B) or Juris Doctor Degree (J.D.).
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive legal experience in real estate practice, with municipal experience preferred but not required.
• Member of the Law Society of Ontario in good standing.
• Exceptional organizational, facilitation, and interpersonal skills coupled with the ability to multi-task effectively while contending with conflicting demands and timelines.
• Demonstrated political acumen and ability to negotiate, facilitate, mediate and present information to a varied audience.

Please note that only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The City of Vaughan is committed to diversity and inclusivity in employment and welcomes applications from qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds. The City of Vaughan is also committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. Please contact humanresources@vaughan.ca if you require an accommodation, and we will work with you to meet your needs.