Background

Stephen Longo practices property tax assessment, land use planning and commercial litigation at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP in Toronto . Stephen was called to the Ontario Bar in 1998.

Areas of Practice/Professional Experience

Stephen appears before the Assessment Review Board, the Ontario Municipal Board, municipal Committees of Adjustment, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and the Divisional Court .

Stephen helps clients in the following ways:

• Advising them on strategies to minimize their property taxes, including pursuing property assessment appeals and tax relief applications
• Advising them on commercial leasing issues relating to property taxes
• Working with them on property tax 'due diligence' relating to the acquisition or disposition of commercial real estate
• Working with them on municipal land use matters, including Official Plan, Zoning, severance, and minor variance applications and appeals
• Negotiating and preparing development agreements, including site plan agreements, heritage easement agreements and development charge agreements
• Litigating on their behalf with respect to a variety of issues, including lease interpretations and property tax recharge disputes

Professional Activities

• Stephen has been a speaker at programs sponsored by, among others, the Continuing Legal Education Department of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Property Tax Association and the Ontario Association of the Appraisal Institute of Canada.
• Stephen is a member of the Canadian Property Tax Association.