- Bio
- Awards & Recognition
- Selected Speaking Engagements
- Selected Publications
- Insights
- Education
John’s passion for municipal law and strong research and analytical skills make him a valued team member when attacking complex legal problems. Whether in an advocacy or advisory role, John helps private sector clients navigate the intricacies of local government, and public sector clients understand and perform their statutory duties and obligations.
John is a member of the firm’s Municipal & Land Use Planning Group. Leveraging his past experience working in municipal government, John provides practical and effective advice on all aspects of municipal and land use planning law, including the Municipal Act, 2001, the Planning Act and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. He also assists with various municipal accountability matters.
John joined Aird & Berlis as an associate after summering and articling at the firm.
Awards & Recognition
- Queen’s Law – Dean’s Honours List
- Queen’s Law Course Prize – Administrative Tribunal Advocacy
- Queen’s Law Course Prize – Environmental Protection Law
Selected Speaking Engagements
Co-speaker, "A Look into Recent Case Law," Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Seminar, Northern CAO/Clerks' Forum (March 2, 2023).
Speaker, "After Voting Day: Case Law Update on Recounts, Contested Elections, Automatic Penalties and the Compliance Audit Process," Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, Zone 5 Fall Meeting (November 8, 2022).
Speaker, "Case Law Update Spring 2022," Municipal Integrity Commissioners of Ontario, Spring 2022 Conference (May 27, 2022).
Speaker, "2022 Municipal Election Legal Updates," Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, Zone 5 Spring Meeting (May 13, 2022).
Speaker, "Municipal Conflict of Interest Act Contraventions & Integrity Commissioner Decisions NOT to Apply to Court," Municipal Integrity Commissioners of Ontario, Fall 2021 Conference (November 4, 2021).
Selected Publications
"Walking in a Winter Wonderland of Risk: The Impact of Nelson (City) v. Marchi on Municipal Liability and Policy Versus Operational Decisions," co-authored with Ajay Gajaria, The Digest of Municipal & Planning Law, February 2022.
“With Great Power Comes Reasonable Responsibility – Emergency Powers of the Chief Building Official” co-authored with Christopher J. Williams, Ontario Building Officials Association Journal, Legal Corner, June 2021.
“A Rock and a Hard Place: Integrity Commissioner Decisions to Make an Application under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act” Digest of Municipal and Planning Law, June 2021.
Canada v. Vavilov: The Impact on Statutory Appeals (Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4), co-authored with Christopher J. Williams, 9 Digest of Municipal & Planning Law (2d), (March - June 2020).
“What’s My Limitation Period Again? Update on the Suspension of Limitation and Time Periods During the COVID-19 Crisis,” co-authored with Dillon Collett, Aird & Berlis LLP Publication, June 8, 2020.
“The Division of Powers in Site Plan Control,” co-authored with Leo Longo and Meaghan Barrett, OBOA Journal, Issue No. 119, September 2018.
Insights
Education
- JD, Queen’s University, 2019
- BA (Honours), Brock University, 2016