McCarter Grespan
Automatically compiled listing. Details may contain errors.16 lawyers · Established 1989 · Waterloo Region
One of 102 law firms listed in Kitchener, and one of 37 handling Business & Corporate Law.
About McCarter Grespan
McCarter Grespan is a business law firm for entrepreneurs, professionals, owner-operators and anyone representing a privately held company. The team approaches its work as business people first. Its practice has an entrepreneurial focus and an understanding of the challenges owners deal with.
The firm started out in 1989 as a small partnership, set up to give privately held businesses a way out of the impersonal experience that often comes with large law firms. It's also known by its longer name, McCarter Grespan Beynon Weir. Kitchener-Waterloo has always been home, and the firm has grown its reach and its client base across Southern Ontario and the rest of Canada.
Chris Bryant is the Managing Director and chairs the corporate practice group. Bryant joined as an associate in 2007 and became a partner in 2020. Amy Finch chairs the wills and estate planning group, while Stuart Hough chairs real estate.
Paul Grespan is one of the founding members. Grespan holds an LL.M. from 1978, earned through the London School of Economics and Political Science and the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in London, England, along with a Certificate in Family Business Studies from HEC Montreal. Grespan is also a business owner and land developer.
Practice areas
Deals and governance
McCarter Grespan structures and negotiates transactions of every size, in Canada and internationally, for public as well as private parties. Its governance group advises boards and management on how boards and committees are set up and run, on the liability of directors and officers, on shareholder relations and disputes, and on succession in management.
Technology clients
The firm works for technology clients large and small, both Canadian and foreign. That work covers pulling IP assets together, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, technology licences, and related financings and acquisitions.
Land development
Land development has been a core part of the practice since the firm began. Clients have included developers of freehold, condominium, co-op and life lease projects, along with lenders, builders, REITs and investors. Along the way the firm has negotiated and drafted multi-party deals such as servicing cost sharing, DC credit-for-service and refund, zoning and bonusing, and front-ending agreements.
Condominium development
For condominium developers, the firm stays involved at every stage. That runs from buying the site and arranging financing, through site plan and draft plan approvals and disclosure packages, to registration, sales to buyers and condominium turnovers.
Leasing and commercial property deals
On leases, the firm acts for landlords and for tenants in retail, industrial, office and specialty settings, and that includes non-disturbance agreements and estoppel certificates. When property changes hands, it handles assets such as subdivisions, seniors' housing, shopping malls and professional office buildings.
Business succession and estates
McCarter Grespan works with owners on a plan to hand a business on, either to the next generation or to a third party, and it can help work out how that transfer gets financed. Owners can also draw on specialists from the firm's network in tax, accounting, insurance and financial planning. For executors, trustees and attorneys under a power of attorney, the firm gives practical guidance on their roles and duties.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
By appointmentHow McCarter Grespan works
McCarter Grespan's aim is to become part of each client's team, and it holds itself to being experienced, ambitious and accessible. Its people live in Kitchener-Waterloo, and they want to help the local business community grow and succeed. Rather than repeat what has always worked, the firm is determined to find newer, more effective solutions. It commits to being one call or email away.
Milestones & recognition
- Amy Finch joined McCarter Grespan as an associate in 2002 and was nominated as a director in 2013.
In the community
- Holly Dinsmore has worked with several businesses to put on free estate planning and estate administration seminars, both close to home and in remote parts of northern Ontario.
- Dinsmore also volunteers with the Kitchener Minor Hockey Association.
- Dave Fedy's community work includes Big Brothers and fundraising for the Grand River, St. Mary's and Cambridge hospital foundations and for the CMHA.
- Andrew Tse volunteers at the school Tse graduated from and is a member of the Waterloo Region Law Association.
Affiliations & connections
- STEP Canada: Jessica Kristensen of McCarter Grespan belongs to the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (Canada) and holds its Trust and Estate Practitioner qualification.
- Waterloo Wellington Estate Planning Council: Holly Dinsmore of McCarter Grespan is a member of the Waterloo-Wellington Estate Planning Council.
Lawyers 16
Amy Finch
Director
Business & Corporate LawWills, Estates & Trusts
Andrew Tse
Associate
Real Estate Law
Brittany Noel
Associate
Real Estate Law
Chris Bryant
Managing Director
Business & Corporate Law
Damir Selimovic
Partner
Real Estate Law
Dave Fedy
Associate
David Bouda
Partner
Business & Corporate LawWills, Estates & Trusts
Holly Dinsmore
Associate
Business & Corporate Law
Jeffrey Einhorn
Associate
Jessica A. Spataro
Partner
Jessica Kristensen
Partner
Wills, Estates & Trusts
John Weir
Director
Business & Corporate LawReal Estate Law
Michael C. Koppeser
Partner
Wills, Estates & Trusts
Paul Grespan
Director
Paul Randhawa
Associate
Real Estate Law
Stuart Hough
Director
Real Estate Law
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 1979–2025 · median 14 years in practice 16 of 16 lawyers
- Law schools
- University of Windsor (4), University of Western Ontario (3), University of Ottawa (2), Lakehead University, Queen's University, University of Alberta and 3 more 15 of 16 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
McCarter Grespan's office is at 539 Riverbend Drive in Kitchener, and the firm sits in the heart of Canada's Technology Triangle.
Frequently asked questions
- Can McCarter Grespan register a vacant land or phased condominium?
- McCarter Grespan registers condominium and subdivision developments and conversions, covering standard, common element, phased and vacant land condominiums. It also takes on projects that combine a condominium with a subdivision.
- Will the firm help put together the consultant team for a residential development?
- Yes. McCarter Grespan can help select and lead a development team and assist with budgeting and tendering. When a project needs them, it brings in engineers (civil and environmental), surveyors, planners and other specialized consultants it knows through the industry.
- Does McCarter Grespan structure property deals through private syndications or limited partnerships?
- McCarter Grespan advises on how financing is structured, including private syndications, limited partnerships and joint ventures.
- Is there a lawyer at McCarter Grespan who handles franchise agreements and disclosure documents?
- Yes. Brittany Noel, a commercial real estate lawyer at McCarter Grespan, also helps clients with franchise agreements and disclosure documentation.
- Does McCarter Grespan's estate planning extend to multiple wills and corporate reorganizations?
- McCarter Grespan handles estate plans at both ends of the range, from complex ones that involve corporate reorganizations, multiple wills and trusts, to simple incapacity planning and powers of attorney.
Where to find them
539 Riverbend Drive, Kitchener, ON N2K 3S3 · 519-571-8800
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Real Estate LawBusiness & Corporate LawThis listing was generated by AI from public sources in October 2026. It may contain errors, and we can’t guarantee it’s accurate or complete. Before you rely on anything here, verify it on the firm’s own website. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗
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