Paul DeFrancesca

Paul is a Partner and leads the firm’s Real Estate practice, advising institutional and private lenders, developers, builders, investors, landlords and property owners on a broad range of commercial and residential real estate and mortgage law matters. His practice also includes significant experience in land development and planning matters. 

With nearly three decades of experience, Paul has acted on a wide variety of real estate transactions and development projects across Ontario. Before joining Wildeboer Dellelce, he founded and led a successful real estate law boutique, where he advised clients on commercial and residential real estate transactions, mortgage financing, and land development. Earlier in his career, he practiced at several prominent Toronto law firms and worked in the planning departments of both the Town of Markham and the City of Toronto, providing him with a unique perspective on development and municipal planning issues. 

Paul is the co-author, with John Mascarin, of Annotated Land Development Agreements, a leading reference work in Ontario’s land development sector that is updated annually. He also contributes regularly to legal and industry publications on a variety of real estate and mortgage law topics. 

Paul holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Urban & Regional Planning from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Windsor. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 2000. He is a member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario, the Real Property Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association and the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association. 

Paul is a strong supporter of legal education and student achievement. He has helped establish a number of awards and bursaries for students pursuing studies in real estate and property law, including awards at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law and the Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University. He also partnered with Northern Birch Credit Union Limited to establish the Northern Birch & Wildeboer Dellelce LLP Continued Education Scholarship, which recognizes members pursuing continuing education and demonstrating leadership within their communities. 

Outside his practice, Paul is actively involved in charitable and community initiatives that support education, youth development and families across the GTA. He established the Annual Law Award and Bursary at De La Salle College, supports SOS Children’s Villages in Africa, Italy and Greece, and is a long-time supporter of the Withrow Ball Park Hockey League. He also sponsors the Ontario Volleyball Association Phoenix Ignite club team. A member of the International Karate Association of Canada, Paul holds a sixth-degree black belt in karate and volunteers his time mentoring and training young athletes.