Debbie Bellinger, Nelligan Law
Debbie Bellinger is a senior real estate practitioner at Nelligan Law with over thirty years of experience in land development and the creation, construction, and administration of integrated mixed-use developments. Starting her career as a title searcher and law clerk, Debbie’s practice spans land acquisition, contracting, financing, severance, and sale, with deep expertise in complex title issues, easements, and shared property interests. She has acted for hundreds of condominium corporations on matters including building deficiencies, reserve funds, Tarion coverage, and shared property governance. Debbie supports municipal lawyers on Planning Act and Tarion appeals and has appeared as an expert witness before the Ontario Superior Court. Her extensive work in construction law includes drafting documents for major projects across Ontario and supporting litigation teams in construction disputes. Debbie brings a multidisciplinary understanding of development risk, and she serves on a City of Ottawa committee exploring innovative applications of condominium law in shared property contexts.

Eric Black, Senior Director, Registries Ontario Relations, Teranet Inc.
Eric Black is the Senior Director of Government Relations, Registry Solutions at Teranet. A former real estate lawyer, Eric brings a unique blend of legal expertise and operational insight to his role. He leads with a focus on four key imperatives: ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, facilitating issue resolution with the Province of Ontario, fostering strong government partnerships, and offering land titles expertise to product development. Eric played a pivotal role in the digitization of Ontario’s land records and now supports the ongoing evolution of Teranet’s registry services. He is passionate about promoting understanding of Teranet’s digital transformation journey and the broader impact of innovation on public services. Eric is also a key advocate for agile delivery methods, working collaboratively with government partners to enhance efficiency and outcomes. His work is driven by a deep commitment to continuous improvement, trust-building, and delivering real value to both the public and the profession.

Guillaume Chiasson, Soloway Wright LLP
Guillaume Chiasson is a lawyer at Soloway Wright LLP in Ottawa and a member of the firm’s Real Estate & Development and Commercial Leasing groups. His practice encompasses land development, commercial leasing, financing, and all aspects of real estate transactions. Called to the Ontario Bar in 2016, Guillaume holds a J.D. from the University of Ottawa and a B.B.A. from the Université de Moncton. Originally from the northeastern coast of New Brunswick, he is fluently bilingual and serves clients in both French and English. Guillaume is a member of the Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Ontario (AJEFO) and the County of Carleton Law Association (CCLA).

Jennifer Connell, Senior Product Manager, Registries Ontario, Teranet Inc.
Jennifer Connell is a Senior Product Manager for Registry and Property Solutions at Teranet with responsibility for Teraview and SureFund. Jennifer has extensive experience in delivering government solutions and innovative platform solutions for legal professionals. Jennifer has been key in the development of Teraview, collaborating with various departments and government partners to enhance the platform’s digital experience and improve customer experience and workflows. Prior to the Teraview portfolio, Jennifer managed Teranet eXpress and the ROSCO solution onsite across Ontario in the Land Registry Offices. Her focus on customer needs and her ability to implement effective solutions have greatly improved daily operations for legal professionals.

Izaak de Rijcke, IDR Law Professional Corporation
Izaak de Rijcke is a lawyer and Ontario Land Surveyor based in Guelph, and is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Real Estate Law. He holds an LL.M. from Osgoode Hall Law School. His practice at IDR Law Professional Corporation focuses on real estate transactions, boundary and title issues, condominium developments, and related litigation, including appearances before tribunals such as ServiceOntario and professional discipline boards. Izaak also provides expert witness services in matters of boundaries and land title across Canada. He is the author of Principles of Boundary Law in Canada and was the editor of Geomatica, the peer-reviewed journal of the Canadian Institute of Geomatics. He is committed to legal and land surveyor education through Four Point Learning and holds an adjunct faculty appointment at Osgoode Hall Law School and is Honorary Research Associate and instructor in two courses in Boundary Law at University of New Brunswick’s Faculty of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering. Izaak is a frequent speaker at legal and surveying conferences, including CPD programs by the Law Society of Ontario, the Ontario Bar Association and Association of Ontario Land Surveyors.

Tammy Evans, Aird & Berlis
Tammy Evans is a partner at Aird & Berlis and Co-Chair of the firm’s Condominium Group. With over 30 years of experience across both the private and public sectors, Tammy advises landowners, developers, builders, landlords, and lenders on all aspects of mixed-use and condominium development. Her practice includes construction contract drafting and negotiation, Tarion compliance, and oversight of more than 2,500 condominium closings annually. Tammy also supports industry clients in legislative reform and policy matters, drawing on her prior work as legal counsel to Ontario’s Ministry of Consumer and Business Services and as Deputy Director of Titles. Before being called to the Bar, she operated a successful land development consulting and project management business for over 15 years. Tammy currently serves on the Advisory Board of BILD and previously led the Level Best Women’s Advancement Project as President of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction.

Mark Giavedoni, Gowling WLG
Mark Giavedoni is a partner at Gowling WLG in Hamilton and leads the firm’s Real Estate Sector and Practice Group in Canada. A Certified Specialist in Real Estate Law by the Law Society of Ontario, Mark is widely recognized for his strategic and responsive counsel on all aspects of real property transactions, including title repairs, financing, project structuring, and dispute resolution. His clients include municipalities, school boards, utilities, and post-secondary institutions, and he regularly advises on condominium developments, land use planning, expropriations, and commercial leasing. Mark’s work spans major infrastructure and public-private partnership projects, as well as complex title and secured lending matters. He is a past president and current vice-Chair of the Real Estate Subcommittee for the Hamilton Law Association, Chair of the Real Estate Committee and Second Vice-Chair of the Federation of Ontario Law Associations, and a frequent speaker on real estate and development topics across Ontario.

Rebecca Hockridge, Director of Titles, Land Registry Services Branch, Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, Ontario Public Service
Rebecca Hockridge is the Director of Titles within the Land Registry Services Branch at the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery. She brings over two decades of experience in real estate law, title insurance, and regulatory oversight. Prior to her current role, she served for seven years as Counsel and Deputy Director of Titles with the Ministry of the Attorney General. Rebecca has also held senior claims roles at Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company and Stewart Title, where she focused on specialty insurance and complex title issues. She began her career in private practice as a real estate associate at McMillan LLP. Her extensive background in both public service and private sector claims management informs her work overseeing Ontario’s land registration system and adjudicating title-related matters.

Eldon Horner, Horner & Pietersma
Eldon Horner is a lawyer at Horner & Pietersma, where his practice focuses on real estate, agricultural law, wills and estates, municipal law, and corporate matters. With extensive experience in real estate transactions, Eldon has built a strong reputation among agricultural clients across Ontario. In 2021, he was one of only seven lawyers in the province awarded the Law Society Medal for outstanding service to the profession. A long-time advocate for the legal community, he is a Past President of the SDG County Law Association and served as Chair of the Federation of Ontario Law Associations in 2015. Eldon graduated as valedictorian from the University of Toronto Law School in 1993 and holds an Honours BA from Wilfrid Laurier University. Raised on a farm in Dundas County, he continues to serve his community through board leadership in health care and long-term care governance.

Sybil Johnson-Abbott, Soloway Wright Lawyers
Sybil Johnson-Abbott is a real estate lawyer at Soloway Wright in Ottawa and a member of the firm’s Real Estate & Development and Commercial Leasing groups. She brings extensive experience in commercial real estate transactions, conveyancing, and financing, with a practice that includes purchases and sales of commercial, residential, condominium, and rural properties. Sybil advises on subdivision and site plan agreements, severance applications, secured lending, mortgage enforcement, commercial leasing, easements, co-ownership agreements, and asset purchase transactions. She was named Best Lawyers® 2022 Real Estate Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Ottawa and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada since 2020. Sybil holds degrees from McGill University and the University of Saskatchewan and is a member of the County of Carleton Law Association, the Canadian Bar Association, and the Law Society of Ontario.

Joel Kadish, Barrister & Solicitor
Joel Kadish was called to the bar a long time ago. His parents were very proud that day. He does most things to do with "dirt" law. Real estate, purchases, sales, financings, acting for private lenders, leasing and commercial real estate matters. He has three great kids who he learns from every day. He really enjoys being involved in people's life cycles. He drops in and out of their lives at really dynamic times and takes pride in his work. He has had the privilege of teaching for the Law Society of Ontario, TMU, the Ontario Bar Association, the Thunder Bay Law Association and others. He has provided expert evidence at the Law Society Tribunal and in solicitors negligence matters on solicitors standard of care cases. He rides a 2022 Triumph Boneville T-120 but still misses his BMW.

Ray Leclair, Vice President, Public Affairs, LawPro
Ray Leclair is Vice President, Public Affairs at LAWPRO, a role he has held since 2012. He provides strategic input and oversight on government relations and public affairs initiatives. Ray joined LAWPRO in 2008 as Vice President of TitlePLUS and brings a broad range of legal experience, having served as General Counsel for the Kanata Research Park Corporation, practiced in both national firms and as a sole practitioner, and taught at the University of Ottawa Law School and Cité Collégiale. Ray is Chair of the OBA Real Property Section and active member of the CBA Real Property Section. 2022 Recipient of the OBA Real Property Award of Excellence and the 2024 OBA Distinguished Service Award. Called to the Ontario Bar in 1984, Ray holds an LL.B. from the University of Ottawa. He regularly presents in both French and English on legal practice and risk management topics.

Lynn Lemesurier, Vice & Hunter LLP
Lynn is an experienced lawyer whose practice focuses on commercial and residential real estate, municipal and development law, and wills and estate administration. She advises a wide range of individual, corporate, and municipal clients. Lynn’s real estate work includes drafting and completing residential and commercial agreements of purchase and sale, addressing easement issues, and giving effect to consent decisions under the Planning Act (Ontario). She also advises municipal clients on planning and municipal law matters and assists with estate planning and probate processes. Called to the Ontario Bar in 1995, Lynn is a regular speaker at the County of Carleton Law Association’s East Region Solicitors Conference, where she is a former chair and planning committee member. She also previously taught in the real estate section of the Bar Admission Course. In 2024, Lynn received the CCLA Abe Feinstein Solicitor Award in recognition of her contributions to the profession.

Mitchell Leitman, Rasmussen Starr Ruddy, LLP
Mitchell Leitman is a partner at Rasmussen Starr Ruddy LLP in Ottawa, with a practice focused on real estate, corporate and commercial transactions, leasing, financing, and trust and estate planning. Called to the Ontario Bar in 1997, Mitchell advises clients on the purchase, sale, and financing of commercial and residential properties, land development, and business acquisitions. He has acted for one of Canada’s largest developers on subdivision creation and represented Canadian banks in large multi-national and domestic financing facilities. Mitchell is currently the vice-chair of the Real Property Section Executive of the Ontario Bar Association and is a past chair of the corresponding section executive of the Canadian Bar Association. He is also active in the County of Carleton Law Association, and the Society of Estates and Trusts Practitioners (TEP). He is a regular speaker at legal conferences and frequently presents to clients on legal matters relevant to their businesses.

Tannis Waugh, Waugh and Co Professional Corporation
Tannis Waugh is the principal of Waugh and Co Professional Corporation and a Certified Specialist in Real Estate Law by the Law Society of Ontario. Her practice focuses on real estate, estates, and corporate/commercial matters. She holds a B.A. in Law from Carleton University and a J.D. from the University of Ottawa. Tannis is a frequent speaker on topics including real estate, estate conveyancing, technology in legal practice, and professional responsibility, with presentations delivered through the Ontario Bar Association, Law Society of Ontario, The Commons Institute, and the Toronto Lawyers Association. She has contributed to continuing professional development as a former Trustee of the Toronto Lawyers Association and through her work on its education committee. Tannis is an active member of the Working Group on Lawyers and Real Estate, serving on both the Condominium Sub-documents Committee and the mentoring sub-committee.

Zahra Ziaie Moayyed, Rosefinch Professional Corporation
Zahra Ziaie Moayyed is the founder of ROSEFINCH PC and a respected real estate lawyer with a wide-ranging practice in residential and commercial transactions, including the purchase, sale, leasing, and financing of all property types. She also advises on development projects and land use planning matters, and acts as a mediator and facilitator in resolving complex, multi-party disputes. Known for her strategic insight and collaborative approach, Zahra brings deep experience from her years leading the Real Estate Law Group at a Toronto multi-service firm and her early practice at a Bay Street firm. She holds a J.D. from the University of Toronto and a B.C.L. (First Class) from the University of Oxford. Zahra is a frequent speaker for the Law Society of Ontario, Ontario Bar Association, Toronto Lawyers Association, and LAWPRO, sharing her expertise on topics including residential mortgage financing, joint tenancy, trust claims, and real estate-related family law issues. Zahra was recently recognized by Lexpert in its Legal Directory as a Leading Lawyer to Watch.