Aird & Berlis Is Proud to Welcome Hon. Peter Van Loan As Its Newest Partner

Aird & Berlis is pleased to announce that Hon. Peter Van Loan is resuming his law practice as a partner in the firm’s Municipal & Land Use Planning Group, effective August 1. He will represent landowners, developers and municipalities with respect to land use planning, development approvals and general municipal law. Peter will also provide strategic and policy advice to clients in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Peter was elected as Member of Parliament for York-Simcoe in 2004, and held numerous leadership positions during his 14 years in Ottawa, including Minister of International Trade, Minister of Public Safety and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.

Prior to his election, Peter was Practice Group Leader for the Municipal & Planning Group at a national law firm. While in private practice, Peter advised on high profile development projects such as Vaughan Mills mall, Greenwood Racetrack and a large subdivision in the Oak Ridges Moraine. For more than 10 years, he was also Adjunct Professor of Land Use Planning at the University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies. 

“We are delighted that Peter has decided to join Aird & Berlis as a partner in our Municipal & Land Use Planning Group,” said Steven Zakem, managing partner. “Peter’s proven expertise in delivering results and achieving approvals in complex regulatory and procedural environments makes him an excellent addition to our firm.”

Peter’s commitment to the community is evident through numerous volunteer roles at the municipal, provincial and federal levels dating back to 1985. Most recently, Peter served as the volunteer Director of Candidate Training and Recruitment for the Ontario PC Party. He plans to continue his grassroots involvement, including by joining existing Aird & Berlis initiatives.

“I am excited to join Canada’s leading municipal law and land use planning practice,” said Peter Van Loan. “Resuming my legal career at Aird & Berlis allows me to maintain my involvement in the community and to play a role in the development of the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario as a whole. I look forward to connecting with colleagues and clients – old and new – in the municipal and land use planning industry.”