LAWYER PROFILE

Chris Barnett

Canada 2026

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Ranked in 1 practice area

Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use

Ontario

7 years ranked

About

Provided by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Practice Areas

Chris Barnett is a partner in Osler's Real Estate Group and practices in the areas of administrative and regulatory law, with a focus on municipal and planning advice, environmental approvals and expropriations. He is recognized in the Lexpert/ALM 500 Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada in the area of Property Development.

He specializes in providing clients in both the public and private sectors with strategic advice on coordinating and addressing the various levels of approvals required for complex projects. Chris advises clients on a broad range of matters, including municipal governance, heritage issues, growth management issues, cultural heritage, parkland dedication/valuations, employment land and aggregate resource policies. He also advises landowners and authorities on expropriations under both the federal and provincial statutes.

Career

Osgoode Hall, York University, LL.B.

University of Toronto, B.A. (Political Science and History)

Bar Admission: Ontario, 1996

Professional Memberships

Member, Advocates Society

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Canada Guide

Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use - Ontario

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Chris Barnett regularly handles municipal law matters, advising public and private entities on obtaining planning and development approvals. He also possesses notable experience representing clients before the OLT and other tribunals, as well as appearing before municipal councils and the courts.

View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

He has a really strong, substantive background.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land UseChambers Canada Guide
Chris is very quick on the draw to put together summaries to ensure we are up to speed, and puts it in a very digestible way.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land UseChambers Canada Guide
He is very creative in finding arguments to support our position and he is an excellent advocate.
Real Estate: Zoning/Land UseChambers Canada Guide