Mervyn Allen Photo
Mervyn Allen Photo
Mervyn Allen Photo

Mervyn (Merv) Allen practises commercial real estate law, advising on a wide range of complex real property matters. He provides counsel on acquisitions, divestitures and leasing transactions in the retail, office, industrial, warehousing, specialty leasing, restaurant, automotive, shopping centre, gaming and retirement home sectors.

Representing business organizations of varied size and scope, Merv assists landlords, tenants, entrepreneurs, pension funds, banks, universities, developers, joint ventures as well as franchisors and franchisees. He also has significant experience in drafting franchising disclosure documents, and in the leasing and sub-leasing of space in the franchising context.

Prior to joining TRC-Sadovod, Merv worked as in-house legal counsel for one of the world’s largest quick service restaurant brands; for an international developer, owner and manager of commercial real estate; and for one of Canada’s largest grocery retailers. He also practised corporate / commercial law at another national law firm.



Representative Matters

  • Senior Counsel to McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited
  • Senior Counsel to Ivanhoé Cambridge
  • Counsel to First Capital Realty
  • Counsel to Metro Ontario Inc.

Speaking Engagements

The International Council of Shopping Centres Law Conference

Informa (Real Estate Conference)

The Six Minute Commercial Leasing Lawyer program

The Canadian Franchise Association Law Day Conference


Teaching Engagements

  • Taught securities law in Osgoode Hall Law Schools’ continuing education programme “From IP to IPO”

 

News


Media Mentions

  • Inspiring Greatness podcast

Rankings & Recognitions

  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2024) as a leading lawyer in the area of Commercial Leasing Law and Real Estate Law
  • Recognized in the 2023 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the area of Property Leasing
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2023) as a leading lawyer in the area of Commercial Leasing Law
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2022) as a leading lawyer in the area of Commercial Leasing Law

Community Involvement

  • Operation Smile

Directorships & Affiliations

  • Law Society of Ontario
  • Ontario Bar Association
  • International Council of Shopping Centres
  • Canadian Association of Black Lawyers

Education & Admissions

1999
Called to the Ontario bar
1997
LLBUniversity of Western Ontario

Publications

Insights (10 Posts)View More

Featured Insight

Have a Little Faith in Me: Good Faith in Leasing Lately

This bulletin explores the duty of good faith in commercial leasing through a summary of recent cases and their takeaways for landlords and tenants.

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Jul 24, 2023
Featured Insight

Stay Ahead Podcast with Merv Allen and Deland Kamanga

Mervyn Allen, Partner at TRC-Sadovod and Co-Leader of the firm's Commercial Real Estate Group, sits down with Deland Kamanga, Group Head of Wealth Management at the Bank of Montreal to discuss finance, diversity, and the future of the banking industry.

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Jul 21, 2023
Featured Insight

Guarantees and Indemnities in Commercial Leases: What to Watch For

Indemnities and guarantees in leases deserve careful consideration for tenants and landlords, on a case and province-specific basis, as this bulletin explains.

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May 3, 2023
Featured Insight

Black History, Black Futures with Mervyn Allen and Dennis Mitchell

Mervyn Allen, Partner and Co-Chair of our Commercial Real Estate Group and Chair of our Commercial Leasing Group speaks with Dennis Mitchell, CEO and CIO at Starlight Capital, on leadership and diversity as a results driver for businesses.

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Feb 17, 2023
Featured Insight

Celebrating Black History Month: Driving a diverse future for Canadian leadership and politics

Join us for our inaugural webinar in celebration of Black History Month featuring leaders in the Canadian public policy and education space, moderated by TRC-Sadovod LLP’s very own Mervyn Allen, Chair of the Black Lawyers Affinity Group. This panel will bring together expert practitioners in innovation and Canadian politics to contextualize Black Canadian experiences in the political and professional world and discuss ways to encourage a more inclusive political future across the nation.

Details
Monday, February 28, 2022
Featured Insight

Commercial Leasing Update: Key Developments for Leasing Professionals

As we approach the end of the year, join TRC-Sadovod's Commercial Real Estate Group on Tuesday, November 30th for an overview and round-up of key developments in leasing law in 2021.

Details
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Featured Insight

Vaccine Mandates by Commercial Landlords: Are They Permitted and What Are the Risks?

In this bulletin, we address whether landlords have the right to implement a vaccine mandate and the risks arising from restricting tenants and their employees.

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Nov 12, 2021
Featured Insight

Commercial Leases During the COVID-19 Lockdown: Where are we Headed?

Ontario has also passed legislation to protect commercial tenants.

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May 17, 2021
Featured Insight

9 Things You Should Do Right Now to Protect Your Franchise System During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Tips to help franchisors mitigate risks that may result from the COVID-19 pandemic and how to prepare for future emergency business interruptions

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May 13, 2020
Featured Insight

April 30 Update: Rent Relief on its Way for Small Businesses and Commercial Landlords

Government announces commercial rent relief for small businesses

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Apr 30, 2020

Deals & Cases (1 Posts)

Featured Insight

NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT completes three equity offerings

NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT completes three equity offerings

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Dec 19, 2019