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Home/Business Lawyer/Contract Lawyer Toronto
Business Lawyer

Contract drafting
and review.

Toronto contract lawyer for businesses and individuals. Contracts drafted to protect your interests, reviewed to catch what you'd miss, and negotiated to get the terms right.

· Reviewed by Jonathan Kleiman, J.D.

15+
Years at the
Ontario Bar
400+
Contract matters
resolved
4.7
224 verified
Google reviews
FREE
30-minute
consultation

Toronto contract lawyer for drafting, review, and negotiation

Jonathan Kleiman is a contract lawyer in Toronto who drafts, reviews, and negotiates the agreements businesses and individuals depend on every day.

Whether you need a new contract written from scratch, an existing agreement reviewed before you sign, or strategic advice on a deal in progress — Jonathan provides plain-language counsel that protects your interests and prevents costly problems before they start.

Every engagement begins with a free 30-minute consultation.

Why you need a contract lawyer in Toronto

Most disputes are preventable

A contract is only as strong as the thought that went into drafting it.

Every year, Toronto business owners lose thousands of dollars in avoidable disputes that trace back to poorly worded agreements, missing clauses, or terms copied from generic templates that were never designed for their specific situation.

What a contract lawyer actually does

A contract lawyer does more than fill in blanks on a form. Jonathan examines the business relationship, anticipates where problems are likely to arise, and writes specific protections into the agreement before those problems surface.

The cost of a properly drafted contract is a fraction of the cost of litigating a poorly drafted one.

How Ontario courts interpret contracts

Ontario courts interpret contracts strictly. If a term is ambiguous, a court may apply the contra proferentem rule — interpreting the clause against the party who drafted it.

Precision matters. Having a contract lawyer on your side before you sign is always better than hiring one after a dispute begins.

Looking for help with a contract dispute or breach of contract? Read more about contract disputes and litigation, and recovering unpaid debts, learn about your options with a breach of contract lawyer, or read what to do when an agreement falls apart. For businesses with intellectual property, Jonathan also advises on trademarks and copyright protection in Ontario.

Contract drafting services in Toronto

Contract drafting is the foundation of preventive legal work. Jonathan drafts agreements from scratch, tailored to the specific needs and risks of your transaction.

Every clause is written with two questions in mind:

  • Does it accurately reflect the deal?
  • Will it hold up if challenged in an Ontario court?
01

Business and commercial contracts

Service agreements, supply agreements, distribution agreements, licensing agreements, and master service agreements for Toronto businesses across every industry.

02

Partnership and shareholder agreements

Profit sharing, decision-making authority, dispute resolution, exit strategies, and what happens when the relationship breaks down. Learn more.

03

Non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements

NDAs and confidentiality agreements for employers, contractors, joint ventures, and M&A due diligence — protecting trade secrets and proprietary information.

04

Employment and contractor agreements

Clear terms covering scope of work, compensation, IP ownership, non-competition, and termination — compliant with Ontario employment standards.

Contract review services

Before you sign any agreement, have it reviewed by a contract lawyer. Jonathan identifies the risks, missing protections, unfavourable terms, and clauses that could expose you to unexpected liability.

What's covered in a contract review

  • Obligations and deliverables — clearly defined for both parties?
  • Payment terms — fair, specific, and enforceable?
  • Limitation of liability and indemnification — who bears the risk?
  • Termination and exit clauses — can you get out if you need to?
  • Dispute resolution — where and how will disagreements be resolved?
  • Assignment — can the other party transfer the agreement?
  • Governing law — does Ontario law apply?

When contract review matters most

Contract review is especially important for commercial leases, franchise agreements, loan agreements, and any contract where the other side provided the draft.

The party who drafts the contract controls the terms — and those terms are written to protect them, not you.

Types of contracts we handle

Toronto businesses and individuals come to Jonathan for help with:

  • Service and retainer agreements
  • Supply and distribution agreements
  • Partnership and joint venture agreements
  • Shareholder agreements (USAs)
  • Non-disclosure agreements
  • Employment contracts
  • Independent contractor agreements
  • Commercial lease agreements
  • Franchise agreements
  • Loan agreements and promissory notes
  • Asset and share purchase agreements
  • Licensing and IP agreements
  • Consulting agreements
  • Terms of service and website terms

If your agreement involves obligations, consideration, and potential risk — a contract lawyer should look at it.

It can take many years before anybody has to rely on the specific terms of an agreement in court. Your lawyer should be able to predict the issues that arise down the road — and write around them.

The contract drafting and review process

Working with Jonathan on a contract matter is straightforward:

01

Free consultation

Describe the agreement, the parties, and what you need. Jonathan identifies the key legal issues and recommends an approach.

02

Drafting or review

Jonathan drafts the contract from scratch or reviews the draft you've received with a detailed markup of recommended changes.

03

Negotiation

If the other party pushes back, Jonathan handles the back-and-forth — keeping your interests protected through every revision.

04

Execution

Once both sides agree, Jonathan ensures the agreement is properly signed and delivered, with all schedules and exhibits attached.

Most contract drafting and contract review matters are handled on a flat-fee basis. You'll know the cost before the work begins.

When a contract dispute arises

Even well-drafted contracts can lead to disagreements. When a dispute arises, Jonathan pursues resolution in the most cost-effective way available — starting with a demand letter, moving to mediation if needed, and proceeding to litigation when necessary.

Small Claims Court (under $50,000)

Contract disputes under $50,000 are handled in the Ontario Small Claims Court.

Ontario Superior Court (over $50,000)

Disputes above the Small Claims threshold proceed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Jonathan represents clients in both courts.

Have a contract you'd like reviewed?

Free 30-minute consultation. No fee, no obligation.

Contract Drafting Lawyer Toronto

As a contract drafting lawyer in Toronto, Jonathan builds agreements that are clear, enforceable, and tailored to your specific transaction.

Every contract is drafted with both day-one performance and worst-case enforcement in mind. The clauses that matter most are written with precision so the agreement holds up under scrutiny in an Ontario court.

Clauses Jonathan focuses on

  • Termination — clear exit terms for both parties
  • Limitation of liability — capped exposure to predictable amounts
  • Indemnification — fair allocation of risk
  • Dispute resolution — Ontario courts or specified arbitration
  • Governing law — Ontario law, where applicable

Toronto businesses come to Jonathan when generic templates aren't enough. Most drafting matters are quoted on a flat-fee basis, with delivery in 3 to 5 business days for standard agreements.

Contract Review Lawyer Toronto

A contract review lawyer in Toronto is your second set of eyes on any agreement before you sign it.

Jonathan reviews contracts presented by the other side — commercial leases, franchise agreements, vendor contracts, loan agreements, employment offers, partnership terms, and asset purchase agreements — and identifies the risks, missing protections, and unfavourable clauses that non-lawyers consistently miss.

What you get with a contract review

  • Detailed markup with proposed revisions
  • Legal reasoning behind each recommended change
  • Risk assessment of unchanged terms
  • Negotiation leverage you can use
  • Delivery in 2 to 4 business days
  • Flat-fee pricing, quoted upfront

Business Agreement Lawyer Toronto

A business agreement lawyer in Toronto handles the contracts that define how your company operates and how you do business with partners, customers, employees, and investors.

Jonathan drafts and reviews business agreements that align with your commercial objectives while complying with Ontario's Business Corporations Act, the Sale of Goods Act, and other provincial and federal statutes that govern commerce in Toronto.

Common business agreements we handle

  • Shareholder and unanimous shareholder agreements — decision-making, share transfers, exits
  • Partnership and joint venture agreements — roles, contributions, profit sharing
  • Asset and share purchase agreements — buying or selling a Toronto business
  • Commercial lease agreements — reviewed before multi-year obligations
  • Franchise agreements — reviewed under Ontario's Arthur Wishart Act disclosure framework
  • Service and supply agreements — for ongoing commercial relationships
  • Loan agreements and promissory notes — for business financing or shareholder loans

Whether you're forming a new business, expanding an existing one, or documenting a commercial relationship — having an experienced business agreement lawyer involved from the start prevents the disputes that come from ambiguous terms and missing clauses. Jonathan serves clients across the GTA, including Brampton, Mississauga, North York, and Vaughan.

Why Toronto businesses choose Jonathan Kleiman

15+
Years experience
Business and contract law across Toronto since 2011.
400+
Matters resolved
For business owners, entrepreneurs, and individuals.
4.7
Google reviews
From 224 verified Toronto clients.
FREE
First consultation
30 minutes. No fee, no obligation.
Flat-fee
Pricing
On most contract drafting and review work.
Direct
Access
Jonathan answers his own phone, email, and text.

Jonathan earned his B.A. (with distinction) at McGill University and his J.D. at Queen's University. He has been a member of the Law Society of Ontario since 2011.

Your contract lawyer should be someone you can call when a question comes up — not someone you have to schedule weeks in advance to reach. Read client reviews to see why Toronto businesses trust Jonathan with their contracts.

Talk to a contract lawyer in Toronto today

Bring the contract — drafted, partly drafted, or just an idea — and get an experienced read on it.

Call 416-554-1639 or book a free consultation.

FAQ

FAQs.

The questions Toronto business owners and individuals ask most often about contract drafting, contract review, and working with a contract lawyer.

01 How much does a contract lawyer cost in Toronto?

Most contract drafting and review matters are handled on a flat-fee basis. Jonathan quotes the fee before work begins, so there are no surprises.

Complex agreements or ongoing retainer work may be billed hourly, with a budget agreed upfront.

02 Do I need a lawyer to review a contract before signing?

You should always have a contract reviewed before you sign — especially for commercial leases, franchise agreements, partnership agreements, and any agreement involving significant financial obligations.

A contract lawyer catches risks and unfavourable terms that non-lawyers typically miss.

03 What is the difference between contract drafting and contract review?

Contract drafting means creating a new agreement from scratch, tailored to your specific needs and risks.

Contract review means examining an agreement that someone else has prepared — identifying risks, unfavourable terms, and missing protections before you sign.

04 Can a verbal agreement be legally binding in Ontario?

Yes. Under Ontario law, verbal agreements can be legally enforceable if they meet the basic requirements of a contract: offer, acceptance, consideration, and intention to create legal relations.

However, certain agreements — such as those involving land — must be in writing under the Statute of Frauds.

05 What should I do if someone breaches a contract?

Contact a contract lawyer immediately. Jonathan will review the agreement, assess the strength of your position, and recommend the most cost-effective path to resolution.

Options include a demand letter, negotiation, mediation, or litigation through the Small Claims Court or Superior Court.

06 How long does it take to draft a contract?

Most standard contracts can be drafted within 3 to 5 business days.

Complex agreements involving multiple parties, detailed schedules, or specialized terms may take longer. Jonathan provides a timeline during the initial consultation.

07 Can I use a contract template from the internet?

Templates are generic by design and rarely account for the specific risks and requirements of your business or transaction.

A contract drafted or reviewed by a lawyer protects you against the issues a template cannot anticipate — and the cost of a proper contract is far less than the cost of a dispute.

08 What types of contracts does Jonathan Kleiman handle?

Jonathan handles all types of business and commercial contracts including service agreements, partnership agreements, shareholder agreements, NDAs, employment contracts, independent contractor agreements, commercial leases, franchise agreements, asset purchase agreements, and licensing agreements.

Book a free consultation to discuss your specific needs.

Your contract decides who wins later.

Get it drafted right the first time, or get it reviewed before you sign. Free 30-minute consultation with a Toronto contract lawyer.

Call 416-554-1639 Free Consultation