He is an expert on the structuring of high-net-worth families’ holdings to manage tax implications
Robert Santia has returned to Aird & Berlis as a Toronto-based partner in its tax and tax controversy/tax litigation groups.
He initially joined the firm in November 2016 as an associate before leaving in August 2022, per LinkedIn. He has focused on tax law throughout his career.
Santia has designed and delivered corporate reorganizations. He has also guided clients on using domestic and offshore trusts in tax and estate planning. He is an expert in helping high-net-worth families to structure holdings for the purpose of managing tax implications associated with succession and estate transfers.
His clients have included individuals, private businesses, and private business advisors. In addition to English, he is conversant in French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese.
Before returning to Aird & Berlis, Santia was most recently with Robins Appleby LLP. He also worked with Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP from September 2022 to December 2023, according to LinkedIn.
He previously co-chaired the Osgoode Hall Law School Intensive Program in Wills & Estates (Taxation in Wills and Estates). He is part of the Law Society of Ontario, the Ontario Bar Association, the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Tax Foundation, and the Estate Planning Council of Toronto.
The firm also welcomed Lexi Benlolo to its roster of associates. She practices with the real estate group.
She mainly drafts and negotiates commercial offers to leases and leases and ancillary documents such as lease amending agreements, consent agreements, license agreements, and non-disturbance agreements. She has also handled issues related to the acquisition, disposition, development and financing of residential, commercial and mixed-use properties.
Benlolo has counted among her clients developers, owners, financial institutions and real estate investment companies.
She obtained her real estate broker/sales agent license in 2018 and her BComm/JD degree from Queen’s University last year.
