Peter M. Tolensky,

Peter offers clients deep knowledge of corporate transactions and structures, in addition to his experience handling lease negotiations for landlords and tenants in industrial and commercial properties. "Peter is an excellent lawyer with a great deal sense, attention to detail and knowledge of B.C. real estate law," enthused one source, adding: "He is excellent at all matters in real estate." 

- Chambers Canada, 2022 Guide

Peter is the Leader of Lawson Lundell's Real Estate Group. His clients include pension funds, asset managers, developers and other private entities to whom he provides advice on a variety of real estate and corporate structuring matters for all types of projects and transactions. Peter also leads our commercial leasing team and negotiates a high volume of retail, office and industrial leases for landlords and tenants.

• Peter A. Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia, Adjunct Professor
• British Columbia Land Title Practice Board, Editorial Board (2023 – Present)
• Canadian Bar Association, Vancouver Real Property Subsection, Chair (2007 – 2008)
• Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, Member (2000 – Present)
• British Columbia Due Diligence Deskbook, Contributing author
• CBA/BCLS Air-Space Subdivision Task Force, Co-Chair
• Law Society of British Columbia, Member (2000 – Present)
• Urban Development Institute, Member and Speaker
• National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, Member and Speaker
• International Council of Shopping Centers, Member

• Vancouver Thunderbirds Minor Hockey Association, Director (2017 – 2023)
• Richmond Hospital Foundation, Director (2013 – 2016)
• Canadian Friends of Hebrew University (Vancouver Chapter) – UBC Law School Faculty Exchange Program, Committee Member
• Congregation Beth Israel, Board of Directors (2008 – 2010)
• Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club, Member
• Richmond Country Club, Member
• Waterfront Club, Member
• Alpha Epsilon Pi, Lambda Omega Chapter, Alumni
• Lower Canada College Alumni Association, Class of '91, Member

• Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (2023-2024): recommended as a leading practitioner for Property Development and Property Leasing
• Urban Development Institute's 2023 'Forecaster of the Year'
• Chambers Canada 2024: recognised for Real Estate - British Columbia (Band 2)
• Best Lawyers in Canada 2011-2024: recognised for Real Estate Law
• Expert Guide The World's Leading lawyers Chosen by Their Peers: Construction and Real Estate, recognized under Real Estate Expert in Canada
• Chambers Global 2016: recognised in the Real Estate (Canada) category
• Lexpert 2012 Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Corporate Lawyers in Canada: recognized as one of Canada's Corporate Lawyers to Watch
• 2011 Lexpert Rising Star Award: recognised as one of Canada’s Leading Lawyers under 40
• Legal 500 Canada: recommended in the editorial for Real Estate
• Named, Business in Vancouver, Forty under 40 (2008)

Examples of Peter’s recent experience include:

• Acting for buyers and sellers of various retail malls, shopping centres, office buildings and industrial buildings, including multi-unit, strata-titled properties
• Acting for developers in connection with corporate structuring of development ventures, site acquisition, subsequent development work and project marketing and presale matters for various retail, office, industrial, residential and mixed use projects throughout British Columbia, including projects using air-space subdivision
• Acting as lead leasing counsel for institutional and privately held landlords and tenants in connection with lease preparation, negotiations and related property management matters for regional shopping centres, power centres, enclosed malls, lifestyle centres, office tower complexes and multi-tenanted industrial parks
• Acting for various utility, mining and pipeline companies in connection with linear project land acquisitions and surface leases

• Acting as British Columbia counsel to seniors care facility operators in connection with acquisition and development of various seniors care facilities

• Acting for developer of various ground-leasehold interests in Port Metro Vancouver industrial park facility, including attending to rail access matters
• Acting for commercial real estate brokerage in connection with preparation of standard form land assembly sales package
• Acting for industrial manufacturer in connection with sale/leaseback of its Canadian portfolio of manufacturing facilities
• Acting for British Columbia utility in connection with various real estate matters, including statutory rights of way and related tenure matters
• Acting for developer in connection with development of heritage property and related heritage incentive matters including density transfers