Real estate has been instrumental in making Vancouver the burgeoning world city it is today, and developers have been instrumental in building the very foundations of where we live, work, come together and enjoy life.

Sarah is pleased to be a part of these contributions by representing clients in the commercial real estate sector. Sarah admires the dedication and pride our clients put into their work and our community.

Work Highlights

SOCO by Anthem

  • Negotiated rezoning and subdivision documents with the City of Coquitlam relating to a master planned urban mixed use community. This project is expected to comprise of five residential towers ranging from 23 to 44 storeys, a six-storey rental building, office space, retail space and a daycare.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

  • Successfully completed multi-parcel land exchange with a variety of parties for the Deltaport Terminal Road and Rail Improvement Project

Kings Crossing, Cressey Development Group

  • Negotiated rezoning and subdivision documents with the City of Burnaby for a complex development with multiple strata corporation towers above a shared commercial podium and parkade facility
View more work highlights >

Sarah provides strategic legal advice based on which clients can make timely decisions. She tailors her service to focus on the big picture and what is practical for clients from a business perspective.

Services
Strata-titled residential, commercial and mixed-use projects in Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, North Vancouver, New Westminster, Surrey, Delta, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Kelowna, and Whistler Negotiation and preparation of purchase agreements and development agreements, including easements, statutory rights of way, and covenants
Municipal approvals, including subdivisions, rezoning, road dedications, and servicing arrangements Acquisitions and dispositions of all commercial properties, including development sites and income properties
Advice on all aspects of the Real Estate Development Marketing Act Air space subdivisions
Contaminated-site municipal approvals Foreign-condominium and mixed-use project marketing within BC
Leases of office and retail properties, including commercial strata lots

Chairing the Urban Development Institute’s Women of UDI Committee gave Sarah the unique opportunity to better understand the most important issues to the real estate industry. This ear to the ground gives Sarah a better understanding of client priorities and how best to meet them in an ever-changing market.

An example of this industry transformation can be found in the frequent changes under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act. Sarah is alert to changes in the law, which allows her clients to be proactive rather than reactive when adjusting their businesses, so that legislative and common law changes do not hinder their operations.

Sarah’s father was an architect, so she grew up around real estate—it has always been a part of her life. In fact, she worked at his office while in university and was able to experience the development industry from a different perspective. Practicing in commercial real estate is a natural fit for Sarah after visiting so many development sites as a child with her father.

Sarah loves the fact that with development work, she can see a project all the way through, from negotiation to site acquisition to consolidation to rezoning to marketing and, eventually, to community building. Real estate development is a tangible industry that contributes to our province’s sustainability, and Sarah feels privileged to be helping clients achieve success working within it.

Awards & Distinctions
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory®, Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer, Property Development, 2022
  • Best Lawyers in Canada, Real Estate Law, 2021-2024, Municipal Law, 2024
*Sarah Jones Law Corporation
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SOCO by Anthem
  • Negotiated rezoning and subdivision documents with the City of Coquitlam relating to a master planned urban mixed use community. This project is expected to comprise of five residential towers ranging from 23 to 44 storeys, a six-storey rental building, office space, retail space and a daycare.
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
  • Successfully completed multi-parcel land exchange with a variety of parties for the Deltaport Terminal Road and Rail Improvement Project
“Sarah is a valued and trusted legal advisor for the Port of Vancouver. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Sarah for many years on numerous matters, including complex land exchanges and property acquisitions. Sarah takes the time to understand our challenges and goals and consistently provides diligent, dependable advice. Sarah’s responsive service and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our needs are met make her an invaluable asset to our organization and I look forward to continuing our work together.”

Mark Gustafson, Vice President, Legal, Risk and Compliance, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

Kings Crossing, Cressey Development Group
  • Negotiated rezoning and subdivision documents with the City of Burnaby for a complex development with multiple strata corporation towers above a shared commercial podium and parkade facility
Seylynn Village, Denna Homes
  • Prepared Disclosure Statement and complex easement, statutory right of way and cost-sharing agreements for a multi-tower development including an integrated parkade, shared amenity structure, municipally-owned component, and rental housing
Meccanica, Cressey Development Group
  • Prepared the Disclosure Statement for a multi-unit mixed residential and commercial use development in Vancouver
"Sarah is a solutions oriented solicitor aimed at keeping our business activities moving forward, while providing us with diligent legal guidance. I have the utmost confidence in the work that Sarah does for our company and it is always completely in a timely manner and with consideration to our bottom line."

Jason Turcotte, Vice President Development, Cressey Development Group

Arbutus Ridge, Cressey Development Group
  • Negotiated air space easement, covenant, and statutory right of way agreement with City of Vancouver and successfully completed air space subdivision
"Sarah provides excellent and responsive legal advice on our multi-family and mixed-use projects in British Columbia. We’ve come to rely on her practical solutions to complex development issues and appreciate that Sarah sees herself as part of the Bucci team."

Mike Bucci, Vice President, Bucci Developments Limited

Orchid, Beedie Living
  • Prepared Disclosure Statement and negotiated development covenants with City of Richmond
Harbour Centre Complex Ltd.
  • Preparation of office and retail leases
"Sarah Jones has been invaluable in creating and negotiating a myriad of legal agreements for our most recent mixed-use project. From development agreements with municipalities (including OCP compliance, density bonusing, zoning, offsites, encroachments, etc.) through to the creation of complex yet understandable disclosure statements and bylaws (combined residential, office and retail uses), Sarah has successfully led the Clark Wilson and Staburn teams through the complex multi-use property development maze. In addition, on Staburn’s behalf, Sarah has been instrumental in negotiating many favourable third-party agreements with utility service providers, property managers and leasing companies, essential in establishing a successful strata corporation. Sarah has done a terrific job in looking after Staburn’s (and subsequent strata corporation) interests on all facets of our project."

Jeff Wren, Principal, Staburn Property Group Ltd.

Tudor House, Formwerks Boutique Properties
  • Advised on the consolidation and financing and deposit protection insurance facilities for a residential development in Vancouver
View more >
Awards & Distinctions
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory®, Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer, Property Development, 2022
  • Best Lawyers in Canada, Real Estate Law, 2021-2024, Municipal Law, 2024
Industry Involvement
  • Canadian Bar Association Women Lawyers Forum, Mentor, 2017
  • Canadian Bar Association Commercial Real Estate Subsection
  • Canadian Bar Association UBC Law Student Mentor, 2019-2020
  • Urban Development Institute Pacific Region Legal Issues Committee, Member
  • Urban Development Institute Pacific Region Education Committee, Former Member
  • Urban Development Institute Pacific Region Women of UDI Committee, Past Chair
  • Urban Development Institute Pacific Region U40 Committee, Former Member
  • CREW Network (Commercial Real Estate Women)
  • NAIOP, Commercial Real Estate Development Association
Community Commitments
  • Allard School of Law Alumni Magazine Advisory Board
  • Strata Council Chair of a self-managed Strata Corporation
  • BC Cancer Foundation Ride to Conquer Cancer Pit Crew volunteer, 2011
Education & Call to Bar
  • Leadership in Law Firms Certificate, Harvard Law School, 2022
  • Call to Bar: British Columbia, 2006
  • Bachelor of Laws, University of British Columbia, 2005
  • Bachelor of Arts (First Class), University of British Columbia, 2002
External Publications & Presentations
  • “The Land Owner Transparency Act And Other Real Estate Topics”, KPMG Real Estate Webinar Series, KPMG, May 2021
  • “REDMA And Disclosure Statements Roundtable”, Real Estate Development Update 2021, Continuing Legal Education Society of BC (CLEBC), April 2021
  • UNDRIP in BC: Business Impacts and Opportunities, Continuing Legal Education Society of BC (CLEBC), January 2020
  • Advanced Topics in Real Estate: Disclosure Statement Panel Member, Continuing Legal Education Society of BC (CLEBC), October 2016
  • Tax likely to have little effect on condo sales: Vancouver realtors, Vancouver Sun, June 25, 2016
  • Real Estate Fundamentals for Lawyers, Continuing Legal Education Society of BC (CLEBC), 2014