John is a partner in the firms real estate department. He has represented clients acquiring and disposing of real estate assets and has acted on real estate backed financing. A former development executive, John brings a unique blend of legal and business thinking to his clients. He has special expertise in housing, construction, brownfields, and procurement.

Laidlaw Foundation invests in innovative ideas, convenes interested parties, shares its learning and advocates for change in support of young people becoming healthy, creative and fully engaged citizens.

The Batawa Development Corporation is engaged in a unique rural, sustainable community development initiative in Eastern Ontario. Working in partnership with the community of Batawa and the Quinte Region, and utilizing a patient, long-term approach to community development, the BDC is creating a model sustainable community that demonstrates excellence in design and leadership in the use of smart technologies.

John has responsibility for the re-development of Regent Park. He works with a broad network of public, private and non-profit partners to both regenerate social housing and create economic opportunities for tenants. To date, approximately 350 Regent Park residents are employed by construction sub-contractors, engineering firms, social service agencies, and commercial tenants. Under John’s leadership, revitalization is delivering economic opportunities to social housing tenants.

John was the Vice President, Development (Acting) from June 2009 to January 2011 and has been General Counsel, Development for Toronto Community Housing since 2005. As Acting Vice-President, he led a 14-person development group. In this role he was responsible for Toronto Community Housing's development mandate, including Regent Park and Lawrence Heights. John managed development risks and negotiates with private sector partners and the City of Toronto on joint venture and construction contracts, and funding. John continues to provide legal advice to the corporation as counsel.

John spent seven years at McMillan LLP in the firm's Commercial Real Estate Group, and was a partner from 2001 to 2005. John acted on a range of real estate related matters including acquisitions, dispositions, financings and leasing. John developed a specialty in brownfield developement, acting on major urban regeneration projects in Toronto and Montreal.

John was a director of the Daily Bread for the maximum 8 year term. During that time, he led the effort to find a new home for the food bank, assissted with the purchase of the facility on New Toronto Street, and, as chair led the fund raising effort pay off the purchase.

Provided legal advice to clients in a small, full service law firm, with an emphasis on corporate, commercial and real estate matters.