An Ottawa-based Gowling WLG partner and leader of the firm’s national Municipal Law Group, Michael Polowin has more than 35 years' experience providing strategic advice and representation in the areas of development, municipal and planning law, and commercial real property through acquisition, financing, and the development process. He has acted for some of the largest developers in Canada, appearing before courts and the Ontario Land Tribunal. Michael also has extensive experience in development-related agreements, including subdivision, cost-sharing agreements, and expropriation matters. He has acted on major residential projects, arenas, power centres, and P3s. He also advises on real estate and land use issues for companies in the cannabis industry. He is co-author of The Manual for Elected Municipal Officials – Ontario and the author of numerous papers on planning matters at the OLT. He has been recognized in Chambers Canada, The Best Lawyers in Canada, and The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. Michael is involved with both industry groups including BOMA and the Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association and the community, as past chair of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, and was recently appointed to the Ottawa Police Services Board.
