Dana Porter

Dana Porter, a seasoned partner within the Real Estate Group at Stikeman Elliott, also contributes significantly to the Projects & Infrastructure, Financial Products & Services, and Restructuring & Insolvency Groups. His tenure has included a role on the firm's Management Committee in Toronto. Dana's legal acumen spans comprehensive aspects of commercial real estate, notably in the realms of purchasing and financing income-generating properties, structured finance, public-private partnerships (P3), and various transactions involving the public sector. His clientele encompasses a broad spectrum, ranging from institutional investors and lenders to both domestic and international advisors, alongside entities from the public sector and private companies engaging with the public sector.

His professional journey is marked by active membership in the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) and the National Association of Industrial, Office and Retail Properties (NAIOP). Dana has also contributed his expertise as a director or officer for several profit-driven corporations. His commitment to legal education is evident in his past role as an instructor for the Real Property Section of the Law Society of Ontario’s Bar Admission Course, along with his lectureships for both the Law Society of Ontario and the Canadian Bar Association.

Beyond his legal practice, Dana's dedication extends to not-for-profit endeavors, including his advisory role with the Georgian Bay Land Trust, a part of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance.

Dana’s educational background includes an LL.B. from the University of Ottawa Law School and an Honours B.A. from the University of Western Ontario, Huron College. He was admitted to the Ontario bar in 1990.

Notable recent projects under Dana's guidance include advising Axium Infrastructure Inc. on forming a joint venture and purchasing four long-term care facilities under construction in Ontario, assisting Alberta Investment Management Corporation in acquiring a stake in Toronto's Scotia Plaza complex, and navigating CT REIT through its IPO and subsequent real estate acquisitions.

Recognized as a leading figure in the legal field, Dana's expertise has been acknowledged by Chambers Canada, IFLR1000, and The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, underscoring his profound influence in project finance, property development, and leasing. His contributions to legal scholarship include co-authoring the “Canada” chapter in The Public-Private Partnership Law Review.

Stikeman Elliott's acknowledgment in prominent legal directories, including recognitions in infrastructure law, underscores Dana’s significant role in propelling the firm's esteemed reputation.