Municipal Law

Brian Phillips

Joe Hoffer

Jeff Bell

Lindsay Lake

Tyler Hortie

Kristin A. Carnie

Paul Cappa

Administrative Law
Consultant

Cohen Highley’s Municipal Law legal advisors act for municipal corporations, providing municipal staff and members of Council with a range of advice on Municipal Law matters. We also act for developers seeking municipal approval of proposed land developments. We act for business and home owners seeking licence approvals; relief from by-law restrictions or other remedies or privileges authorized under the Municipal Act or related statutes.

Our experience in all aspects of advocacy for municipalities as well as private interests gives us the ability to formulate legal strategies that attempt to accommodate realistic public and private objectives. We have the experience and ability to recognise the limitations, financial and political, of our municipal and private clients. We believe that our practical, common-sense approach to goal achievement and problem solving gives us a distinct edge in the field of Municipal Law.

Effective Negotiation

We can help you:

	Formulate and implement effective Municipal strategies in the areas of Municipal Finance, Land Use Planning, Municipal Administration and Municipal Governance.
	Develop strategies to successfully formulate and implement private sector proposals for review, consideration and approval by municipal governments and related agencies, such as Conservation Authorities.
	Determine practical solutions to cut through “red tape” at the municipal level and to ensure your applications for licensing or land use approvals are properly prepared and presented to appropriate committees or municipal representatives.
	Implement legal powers given to municipalities to ensure that the health and welfare of municipal residents are protected in the face of unwelcome or unwanted private development initiatives.
	Understand the broad range of discretionary and statutory powers at the disposal of a municipality with which to achieve municipal goals.
	Negotiate with Municipal officials and officers to secure results which take into account the needs and requirements of public and private interests.

Advocacy

Our experience in all aspects of Municipal Law advocacy on behalf of municipalities and private interests enables us to assess and plan cases expeditiously and effectively. Extensive knowledge of the Court system, the Municipal Act and related statutes, such as the Planning Act, allows us to provide our clients with a range of options and solutions to Municipal Law problems.

At the appellate court and Tribunal levels, and in Superior Court, we have established important legal precedents which are relied upon by other courts and the Tribunal in the determination of related cases.

Experience

Our legal advisors have gained experience in Municipal Law matters by developing expertise with municipal and private interest clientele. We make the effort to attend Continuing Legal Education programs; municipal and industry functions; and to participate in specialized programs relating to municipal and land use planning matters. We subscribe to numerous municipal and land use publications and make the effort to contribute to our local communities through a range of volunteer activities.

Our clients include prominent land development companies; business corporations and municipalities. Our clients also include private citizens attempting to understand and respond to the complexities of the specialized field of Municipal Law.

Contact Us

For practical solutions and skilled advocacy services in the area of Municipal Law, please contact Brian Phillips, Joe Hoffer, Jeff Bell, Lindsay Lake, Tyler Hortie, Kristin A. Carnie or Paul Cappa by e-mail or by telephone at (519) 672-9330. If corresponding by e-mail be sure to include your name, your telephone number and a brief message.