Melissa is a partner in our commercial leasing department and has dedicated her career to representing commercial landlords and tenants in a variety of commercial leasing matters. She has expertise in managing commercial lease transactions for all types of properties, including office, retail, industrial and mixed-use. Melissa's practice includes the interpretation of commercial leases and the coordination of major projects, including multi-location deals and due diligence on acquisitions. Her practice also includes telecommunications and building services arrangements.

Melissa is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and seminars including the ICSC Canadian Law Conference, NAIOP GTA, the Ontario Bar Association, and the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Melissa is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 2008. Melissa joined the firm as an associate after working with Daoust Vukovich LLP as both an articling and summer student.

Recognition & Awards

Listed in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2022 edition
Named in the 2022 Best Lawyers™ in Canada list

Insights

I Thought My Security Blanket Would Always Cover Me! Security Deposits and Prepaid Rent

Jan 30, 2016 | Article

Written by Melissa McBain (The Six-Minute Commercial Leasing Lawyer) The strength of a tenant's financial covenant is, without a doubt, one of the ...

"I Surrender!" A Practical Review of the Law of Surrenders of Leases

Jan 30, 2014 | Article

Written by Melissa McBain (The Six-Minute Commercial Leasing Lawyer 2014) This paper provides a summary of the law of surrenders (and partial surre...

Involvement

Melissa is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and seminars including the Canadian Law Conference, the Real Estate Strategy & Leasing Conference (formerly Real Leasing) and the Law Society of Upper Canada.

2019 Chair of the Planning Committee for the Law Conference of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
2018 Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee for the Law Conference of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
Active member of the Greater Toronto NAIOP Programs Committee
Member of Toronto CREW (the Toronto Commercial Real Estate Women’s Association)
Past member of the Planning Committee for Toronto’s ICSC Next Generation

Melissa McBain

P: 416-598-7038

E: mmcbain@dv-law.com

Barb Sauer

Legal Assistant

P: 416-597-8039

E: bsauer@dv-law.com

Memberships

2019 Chair of the Planning Committee for the Law Conference of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
2018 Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee for the Law Conference of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
Active member of the NAIOP GTA Education Committee (former member of the NAIOP GTA Programs Committee)
Past member of the Planning Committee for Toronto’s ICSC Next Generation

Lexpert

Education

Osgoode Hall Law School
Called to the Bar in Ontario in 2008

Practice Areas

Lawyers

Law Clerks

Related Pages

Featured Insight

RealTea Episode 4: Allison Fehrman - Removal and Restoration Obligations

We are members of the real estate industry as much as we are members of the legal profession. We understand the business needs of our clients and work comfortably and efficiently with them.