Johnson McMaster & Jefferies
5 lawyers · Established 1977 · Waterloo Region
One of 42 law firms listed in Cambridge, and one of 30 handling Real Estate Law.
About Johnson McMaster & Jefferies
Johnson McMaster & Jefferies is a general-practice firm in Cambridge, Ontario, that's served the city and the wider Waterloo Region since 1977. The name reflects lawyers Cal Johnson and Bob McMaster, with Ben Jefferies practising in association. Real estate has been the firm's core work for more than 40 years. It handles residential purchases, sales, and refinancing, from first-time buyers to condominium closings, and acts regularly for the major banks, credit unions, and dozens of smaller and private lenders on what the firm describes as thousands of transactions.
Beyond real estate, the firm covers wills and estates, family law, business law, and litigation. Its family work leans toward domestic and separation agreements and uncontested divorces rather than courtroom fights, and its litigation reaches into estate, construction, commercial, and employment disputes. The main office is in Cambridge's Galt district, and a second, appointment-based location operates in Waterloo. Between them the firm serves clients across Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Georgetown, and Brantford.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Established in 1977, the firm has served Cambridge and the surrounding Waterloo Region communities for more than four decades.
- Real estate has been the firm's main practice throughout, acting for major banks, credit unions, and smaller private lenders on residential closings.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessibleLawyers 5
Ben Jefferies
Barrister & Solicitor
Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Bob McMaster
Barrister & Solicitor
Real Estate LawWills, Estates & Trusts
Cal Johnson
Founding Partner
Real Estate LawWills, Estates & Trusts
Hashim Sidahmed
Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Public
Real Estate LawBusiness & Corporate Law
Tanisha Merkley
Barrister & Solicitor
Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 2014–2017 · median 10 years in practice 2 of 5 lawyers
- Law schools
- Queen's University (2), Michigan State University 3 of 5 lawyers
- Languages on the roster
- Arabic
Who handles what
Offices 2
The neighbourhood
The main office sits in Galt, which is commonly seen as the downtown core of Cambridge. Galt was one of the towns (along with Preston, Hespeler, and Blair) that amalgamated in 1973 to form the city, and it runs along the banks of the Grand River. It's an older part of the region, with heritage streets and stately homes from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the kind of established housing stock a firm doing residential real estate here has been closing on for years. There's parking at the rear of the building, and the office keeps regular weekday hours.
The firm also meets clients in Waterloo by appointment, at a Durward Place address shared with Campbell Litigation. That's a satellite arrangement rather than a full second office, so it's best to call ahead to set up a meeting there.
Frequently asked questions
- Can Johnson McMaster & Jefferies help me buy a home in Cambridge?
- Yes. Real estate has been the firm's main practice for more than 40 years. It handles residential purchases, sales, and refinancing, including first-time buyers, condominium status certificate reviews, title searches, and title insurance, and it acts for the major banks, credit unions, and private lenders.
- Does the firm handle separation and divorce?
- Yes. The family practice focuses on domestic and separation agreements, cohabitation and pre-nuptial agreements, and uncontested divorce applications, with an emphasis on resolving matters through agreements rather than litigation.
- Can the firm prepare my will and help settle an estate?
- Yes. It prepares estate-planning documents for both simple and complex situations, and it assists estate trustees after a death with estate trustee certificate applications and probate.
- I'm starting a small business in the area. Can the firm incorporate it?
- Yes. The business practice covers incorporation and amalgamation, setting up and maintaining a minute book, buying and selling a business, and commercial leases, with a focus on small businesses across Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, and Brantford.
- What kinds of disputes does the firm take on?
- Its litigation work covers estate disputes, construction and lien claims under the Construction Act, commercial matters like shareholder and lease disagreements and debt collection, and employment issues such as wrongful dismissal.
- Where is the firm, and can I meet in Waterloo instead of Cambridge?
- The main office is at 46 Cambridge Street in Cambridge, open weekdays from 9 to 5 with parking at the rear. The firm also meets clients by appointment at a Waterloo location on Durward Place, shared with Campbell Litigation.
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Business & Corporate LawEmployment & Labour LawReal Estate LawFamily LawListing compiled from the firm’s public website in July 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗