William A. Rowlands Partner Toronto Tel : 416.307.4065 Fax : 416.865.7048 Email : william.rowlands@mcmillan.ca VCard :

Professional Activities

• Co-Chair of the Law Society of Upper Canada annual Six-Minute Commercial Leasing Lawyer Program

William (Bill) Rowlands is a partner in the Real Estate Law Group in the Toronto office.  He has been a partner with the firm since 1988.

His practice involves a full spectrum of commercial real estate transactions including leasing, acquisitions and dispositions of property. Bill represents participants on all sides of real estate transactions, including property owners and managers, landlords and tenants and such property investors as insurance companies.

Leasing is a particular focus area for Bill's practice.  He acts for landlords and property management companies in the drafting and negotiation of leases. His tenant representation is equally extensive, acting for a number of retailers including the creation of precedent lease documents for retailers in their dealings with shopping centre owners. Bill has also been involved in the structuring and implementation of sale/leaseback arrangements for tenants of industrial and manufacturing properties.

In addition to his hands-on skill in leasing activities, Bill is a recognized authority in the field.  He is principal editor for O'Brien's Encyclopedia of Forms, Division IV, Leases, Canada Law Book, 2002, updated most recently in 2009, a major Canadian legal resource book on leases and forms and has spoken to numerous business and professional groups on topics related to retail, industrial and commercial leasing. He also served as resource counsel on the lease committee of Realpac (Real Property Association of Canada), a leading Canadian real estate organization, and has been involved in its efforts to create a standard office lease. Such active involvement assures Bill's clients that he is familiar with the latest industry trends and challenges, and will use that insight to creatively and effectively help his clients achieve their real estate goals.

Special Recognition

• Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada 2012 - Property Leasing 
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2011 and 2012 as a leader in Real Estate Law.
• Received a "BV" Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
• Listed in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2010 and 2011 as a leading practitioner in Property Leasing.

Memberships

• Canadian Bar Association
• International Council of Shopping Centres

Community Involvement

Volunteer for North Toronto Hockey Association. Functions have included:

• Member, Board of Directors
• Chair of the House League Program
• Select Team Manager
• House League Coach

Bill Rowlands representative work includes:

• Acted for Manulife Real Estate in the purchase of York Mills Centre from Ivanhoe Cambridge.
• Acted for BMO Bank of Montreal in an agreement with a subsidiary of First Gulf Corporation and Sun Life Financial to be the anchor tenant in a new LEED-certified, state-of-the-art office building, First Meadowvale Corporate Centre in Meadowvale. First Gulf and Sun Life are investing C$75 million dollars to build the largest new office building in Mississauga.
• Acted for Mirvish Productions in the purchase of Toronto's Canon and Panasonic Theatres from Key Brand Entertainment.
• Acted for a major Canadian landlord in related leasing transactions with a major tenant at numerous locations across the county.
• Acted for a broadcaster in the purchase of a landmark building for its broadcasting facility.
• Acts for a number of retailers in connection with their leasing and property matters including a financial institution, a petroleum retailer, a major electronics retailer and a major home furnishings retailer. In connection with such clients has acted on numerous purchases, sales, joint venture arrangements and leases as well providing on-going advice and assistance on a variety of real estate matters.
• Is retained on an ongoing basis by a number of landlords in connection with office, retail and industrial leasing.
• Serves various manufacturing companies and assists them in acquisitions and dispositions of facilities including leases, design build projects and sale / leasebacks.
• Retained to update lease forms for landlords including to add "green lease" provisions for certain landlords.

Bill Rowlands is the Principal Editor of O'Brien's Encyclopedia of Forms, Division IV, Leases , Canada Law Book , 2002, updated most recently in 2009. Bill frequently speaks before professional audiences at seminars and conferences and numerous other organizations. 

February 23, 2012 Conflicts of Interest Speaker, Canadian Shopping Centre Law Conference

September 27, 2011 Assignment, Subletting Panelist, RealLeasing Conference, Toronto

May 15, 2011 Grappling with Insurance Clauses Speaker, Advanced Conference on Negotiating and Enforcing Leases, Canadian Institute

February 24, 2011 Partnerships and Trusts, Handle with Care Speaker, Canadian Shopping Centre Law Conference