Franz practices in the Environmental, Municipal, Expropriation and Regulatory group, with a focus on environmental compliance and disputes, municipal planning, and land acquisition and expropriation.
Franz assists and represents individuals and corporations relating to various disputes including contractual, regulatory compliance, environmental prosecutions and tort claims. He also acts in an advisory capacity assisting with mandatory and voluntary regulatory filings and environmental due diligence in support of BLG’s transactional related work.
Prior to pursuing a career in law, Franz worked in the aerospace engineering and environmental science fields. As an environmental scientist, Franz assisted with the completion of both regulatory and due diligence Environmental Site Assessments, as well as assisted with the completion of Human Health and Ecological Health Risk Assessments used in support of filing Records of Site Conditions (RSCs) pursuant to O. Reg. 153/04 promulgated under the Environmental Protection Act (ON). Specifically, Franz has a deep understanding of subsurface processes as it relates to contaminant, fate and transport and remediation of contaminated lands. In addition, Franz has experience litigating and advising clients about endangered species matters under the federal Species at Risk Act and Ontario’s Endangered Species Act.
Franz’ combination of academic and professional experiences in environmental science provides him with unique technical insights into environmental law. Franz offers practical solutions to complex litigation, regulatory and transactional challenges that are always informed by both the science and law.
Experience
- Counsel to environmental consulting firm and consultant in an action involving the discovery of environmental contaminants on an industrial property. The claims were settled during mediation.
- Counsel to polystyrene manufacturer regarding an appeal to environmental orders and amendments to various regulatory approvals.
- Counsel to company in successful appeal of conviction under the Endangered Species Act before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Appeal.
- Counsel to company relating to the discharge of expanded polystyrene foam particles and charges laid under the Provincial Offences Act and Environmental Protection Act.
- Counsel to environmental consulting firm and consultant in an action involving the discovery of environmental contaminants on an industrial property. The claims were settled during mediation.
- Counsel to polystyrene manufacturer regarding an appeal to environmental orders and amendments to various regulatory approvals.
- Counsel to company in successful appeal of conviction under the Endangered Species Act before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Appeal.
- Counsel to company relating to the discharge of expanded polystyrene foam particles and charges laid under the Provincial Offences Act and Environmental Protection Act.
