Raivo Uukkivi* is Co-Chair of the Municipal, Planning & Environment Group at Cassels. Raivo acts primarily for private sector clients, while also acting on select mandates for public sector clients. Raivo advises on decisions or actions that arise from the development, use and ownership of land, as well as other issues touching upon or related to municipal law. This includes all aspects of the land use planning and development process from solicitors’ work required to obtain an approval through to litigation or controversy that arises from the land development process. Raivo is frequently involved in disputes with conservation authorities, property and title disputes, environmental approvals and disputes, green energy project approvals, municipal by-law challenges, municipal conflicts of interest matters, elections disputes, municipal taxation, archaeological matters and freedom of information requests. He also works on construction and infrastructure-related controversy where the matters involve municipalities.
Raivo is a trial and hearing lawyer that frequently appears before the Ontario Land Tribunal (formerly the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal) and has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario including the Superior Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal. Recognizing that in appropriate circumstances disputes can be resolved through mediation and arbitration, Raivo is a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario and has a certificate in Advanced Alternative Dispute Resolution. He is also a member of Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) and a long-standing member of the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) programming committee.
Raivo has been recognized as a leader in zoning law by Chambers Canada which notes that he is “commended for his business-minded and practical approach” as well as having received recognition from Lexpert for his expertise in environmental law and Best Lawyers for his experience in municipal law.
*denotes Professional Corporation
