Biography Photo of James M McKeon

James M. McKeon

Partner
James M. McKeon specializes in banking and commercial real estate matters. He has extensive experience representing lenders in financing hotels, restaurant franchise chains, individual restaurants, and commercial real estate. Many of these transactions are multi-jurisdictional, and accordingly his practice is Canada-wide, and has the ability to quarterback transactions and source appropriate assistance throughout Canada. 

Mr. McKeon represents owners of commercial real estate who acquire and sell hotels, shopping plazas, apartment buildings, office buildings and mixed use residential buildings. He has successfully completed tax-driven corporate reorganizations and joint venture projects. He also has extensive experience with commercial leases and residential leases as part of commercial property. 

Mr. McKeon represents banks in connection with asset backed financing transactions and the cash management aspects of such financings. He also has experience financing businesses using insurance policies as collateral for loans.

Education & Credentials

Education

Queen’s University

B.S., Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, 1993

University of Victoria

LL.B., 1996

Called to the Bar of Ontario

1998

Prominent Assignments

Acted as lead counsel to a lender in financing a 9 hotel portfolio in multiple Canadian provinces.

Acted as lead counsel to a lender in financing the acquisition of 16 hotels over a 2 year period by a Real Estate Investment Trust in several provinces across Canada.

Acted for a Canadian Bank and another major financial institution in developing a joint product for construction loans and takeout financing for hotel properties.

Acted as lead counsel on dozens of hotel construction and takeout loans.

Acted as lead counsel in connection with the successful workout of several hotel loans.

Acted as lead counsel for a lender in connection with acquisition financing of a restaurant chain spanning several Canadian provinces and multiple states in the US.

Acted as lead counsel for a lender in connection with development lines for a major Canadian restaurant chain, assisting in development in several Canadian provinces.

Acted as lead counsel to a lender in connection with the financing of several franchisee groups in the Canadian restaurant industry.

Acted for a Canadian Bank in connection with dozens of private equity transactions.

Acted as lead counsel to a Canadian trust company in connection with real estate financing.

Acted as lead counsel to the vendor in connection with the sale of a 20 property mixed use commercial/residential portfolio.

Acted as lead counsel to the vendor of a large Canadian hotel.

Acted as lead counsel to private syndicates in connection with dozens of private loan transactions, involving multiple Canadian and International jurisdictions.

Professional Involvement

  • Law Society of Upper Canada, Member
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