Norman I.
Kahn
Partner
Admitted to the Manitoba Bar: 1979
In a highly competitive marketplace, Norman is widely sought after for his wealth of knowledge and experience in negotiating complex commercial real estate transactions. His carefully considered advice and balanced view provides a clear vantage point from which clients can make nimble yet strategic decisions. Norman’s integrity and warm personality have led to long-term relationships with many of his clients.
Norman is a member of the firm's Real Estate Group. With more than 40 years of experience, he skilfully guides clients through acquisitions, financings, leasing, dispositions and insolvency matters relating to development properties, office buildings, retail property, residential apartment complexes, industrial buildings, nursing homes, retirement residences and hotels. His practice has involved structuring Canadian and cross-border partnerships, joint ventures, syndications and ground leases.
Norman’s client base includes institutional as well as public and private investors acquiring and/or providing secured debt and equity financing for all types of commercial real estate. In addition, he represents private Canadian companies that acquire significant distressed real estate portfolios from lenders and receivers.
Acting for institutional and private lenders and borrowers, Norman assists with all aspects of real estate debt recovery, restructuring, workouts and insolvency matters, including the negotiation of standstill and forbearance arrangements. He has also been involved in complex formal bankruptcy and bankruptcy protection proceedings under both the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, and has represented clients on numerous receivership, judicial and private powers of sale and foreclosure matters.
Professional Involvement
Memberships
- Commercial Mortgage Securities Association
- National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (Toronto NAIOP)
Community Involvement
- Beth Tzedec Congregation, Past President
- Advisory Board, Program in Real Property, Schulich School of Business, York University
- International Board of Governors of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism
- International Board of Directors of Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center
Teaching Engagements
- Former part-time lecturer, MBA programme, Schulich School of Business, York University
Instructor, "Fundamentals in CRE," REALPAC, March 2026.
Co-Instructor, "Fundamentals in CRE," REALPAC, April-May 2025.
Speaker, "Real Estate in Distress and a Taste of Current Issues," BMO Seminar, April 2024.
Speaker, Various Mortgage Remedies Available to Lenders, REALPAC Lender Committee, March 2024.
Speaker, "Borrower Defaults on a Mortgage Loan: The Rights and Remedies of the Lender and the Borrower’s Response," Aird & Berlis LLP Financial Difficulties Seminar, June 2009.
Panellist, "Mezzanine and High Ratio Financing: To What Extent is This Market Now Growing?" 2009 RealCapital Conference, February 2009.
Speaker, "PPSA for Real Estate and Business Buyers - Best Practices for Secured Transactions Involving Personalty and Realty," The Law Society of Upper Canada, November 2008.
Speaker, "Managing the Legal Aspects of Financing," Federated Press, 2nd Construction Financing Course, May 2008.
Speaker, "Managing the Legal Aspects of Financing," Federated Press, Real Estate Equity & Debt Financing Course, December 2007.
Speaker, "Recent Developments in Real Property and Conveyancy Law," Ontario Bar Association's 2006 Annual Institute of Continuing Legal Education, January 2006.
Panellist, "Why Apartments Continue to be Good Assets to Finance and Mortgage," RealCapital Seminar, Toronto, February 2005.
Speaker, "New Trends in Debt Financing" at Insight's Commercial Real Estate in Ontario Conference, May 2003.
Moderator, "Title Insurance, Terrorism Insurance Coverage and Related Topics," at Real Finance Seminar, Toronto, February 2002.
Speaker, "Real Estate Investments: Institutional Owners and their Professional Advisors Beware!" Strategy Institute's Y2K Investment Industry Final Quarter Update Conference, August 1999.
Speaker, "Current Real Estate Practice Issues," Canadian Bar Association's Annual Institute, January 1996.
Speaker, "Critical Issues in Powers of Sale," Insight Conference, March 1991.
Co-Author, "1785192 Ontario Inc v. Ontario H Limited Partnership: A Not-So-Tender Lesson on Tendering," Aird & Berlis LLP, November 26, 2024.
Co-Author, "Federal Government Extends Prohibition on Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians to January 1, 2027," Aird & Berlis LLP Real Estate Bulletin, February 20, 2024.
Co-Author, "A Case of ‘More’ of the Same? … It’s Really Just Another Case of Anticipatory Breach," Aird & Berlis LLP, October 4, 2023.
Co-Author, "Amendments to Regulation Banning Canadian Foreign Home Buyers Released," Aird & Berlis LLP, March 30, 2023.
Co-Author, "New Year, New Details: Canadian Regulations Banning Foreign Home Buyers Released," Aird & Berlis LLP, December 28, 2022.
Co-Author, "Canada’s Prohibition on Foreign Home Buyers Knocking on the Door," Aird & Berlis LLP, November 3, 2022.
Co-Author, "Can a Mortgagee Receive Accelerated Interest Upon the Repayment of a Closed Mortgage That Is in Default?" Aird & Berlis LLP, September 22, 2022.
Co-Author, "The Law of Deposits," Aird & Berlis LLP, May 13, 2020.
"To Enforce or Forbear: A Lesson in Keeping Your Powder Dry," Aird & Berlis LLP Real Estate Law Newsletter, March 2010.
"Choosing the Right Remedies to Enforce Security," Aird & Berlis LLP Real Estate Law Newsletter, December 2008.
"Bill S-19," Aird & Berlis LLP Banking Law Alert, Winter 2005.
Author, "Breaking Down the Borrower Barriers: Understanding the keys to unlock real estate from the Mortgage Loan," Canadian Apartment Magazine, June 2005.
"Unlocking Your Real Estate from the Conduit Loan," Aird & Berlis LLP Real Estate Law Newsletter, Spring 2005.
Author, "Understanding the Choices That Lead to Obtaining the Right Financing," Canadian Apartment Magazine, November/December 2004.