We are pleased to announce that Alexander J. Suriano has joined the firm as a partner and member of our Municipal & Land Use Planning Group.
Alexander is passionate about the development of cities, communities and neighbourhoods. He draws from his experience in the public and private sector to help clients navigate the municipal approvals process and understand how land use planning policy and zoning regulations impact and shape their development projects.
In his practice, Alexander advises developers, municipalities, government agencies, ratepayer associations and members of the public on a broad range of land use planning and development matters. Alexander regularly represents clients before the Ontario Land Tribunal (formerly the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal) and Toronto Local Appeal Body on appeals regarding zoning by-law and official plan amendments, minor variance and consent applications, site plan control matters and plans of subdivision. As part of his strong advocacy practice, Alexander has extensive experience in formal mediation and represented negotiations and appears regularly before municipal councils and committees and the Divisional Court.
In additional to managing development applications under the Planning Act, Alexander also provides strategic advice to his clients regarding the Municipal Act, City of Toronto Act and the Ontario Heritage Act.
Prior to joining Aird & Berlis, Alexander worked as a senior lawyer in the City of Toronto’s Legal Services Division, Planning and Administrative Tribunal Law section. From this experience, he has extensive knowledge of the municipal development approval and decision making process. Alexander also is a sessional lecturer on land use planning practice in the Department of Human Geography at the University of Toronto Scarborough and is a frequent guest lecturer and speaker on topics in municipal and planning law.
It is with great pleasure that we welcome Alexander to the firm.
