About Michael S. Polowin

Michael S. Polowin is a partner in Gowling WLG's Ottawa office and leads the firm's National Municipal Law Group. The practice covers development, municipal and planning law alongside commercial real property, and Polowin can stay with a project from the purchase of the land through its financing and development. Large Canadian developers have been among the clients, and that work has taken Polowin to court and before the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal on projects in many parts of Ontario.

Polowin was called to the Ontario bar in 1985. Early on came two years with the former firm of Goldberg Shinder and four at Mitel Corporation, followed by 14 years in McCarthy Tetrault's Ottawa office, where Polowin became a partner, before the move to Gowling WLG.

Ottawa is home in every sense. Polowin was born at the city's Civic Hospital to parents who'd both immigrated, and has lived there for life, apart from three years in Toronto for law school. Polowin chaired the Jewish Federation of Ottawa from 2019 to 2021 and now sits on the Ottawa Police Services Board as one of three provincial appointees.

Reporters and publications regularly ask Polowin to weigh in on municipal and planning issues. The partner also co-wrote the Manual for Elected Municipal Officials (Ontario), a reference council members can turn to when a question comes up in their work, and is a regular invitee to the Cambridge Forum on land use, which is open by invitation only.

Practice areas

Municipal, planning and land use matters

Polowin advises and represents clients on municipal and planning law, appearing in court and at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal. That includes acting in appeals that challenge zoning and planning applications on a client's behalf.

Development and commercial real property

Commercial real property work runs across acquisition, financing and development, including development agreements such as subdivision and cost-sharing agreements, and expropriation matters. Polowin has also handled real estate and land use questions for cannabis companies.

Education & credentials

  • LLB, Osgoode Hall Law School (1983)
  • Bachelor of Social Science, University of Ottawa (1980)
  • Called to the Ontario bar (1985)

Awards & recognition

Publications & speaking

  • The Manual for Elected Municipal Officials (Ontario), Wolters Kluwer (2015)
  • Real Estate: Planning & Zoning 2026, Canada (Ontario): Law and Practice, and Trends and Developments, Chambers Global Practice Guides (2026)
  • Official, but illegal: Are Official Plans being used in a manner that is a 'bridge too far'?, The Digest of Municipal and Planning Law (2011)
  • What's Reasonable? Grounds for Adding Parties, The Digest of Municipal & Planning Law (2010)
  • The Evolution of Legal Non-Conforming Rights, The Digest of Municipal & Planning Law (2010)

Memberships & affiliations

  • Building Owners and Managers Association, Ottawa chapter: Polowin is a member of the Ottawa chapter and sits on its Government Affairs Committee.
  • Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association: A member who serves on both the Builder-Developer Council and the Urban Infill Council.
  • Ontario Bar Association: Member of the Real Property Section and the Municipal Law Section.
  • Lambda Alpha International: Polowin belongs to this honorary society for the advancement of land economics.
  • International Council of Shopping Centres: Polowin is a member.

In the community

  • Polowin sits on the Ottawa Police Services Board as one of its three provincial appointees, a civilian oversight role focused on governance and decision-making.
  • Chaired the Jewish Federation of Ottawa from 2019 to 2021, after leading its annual fundraising campaign in 2016 and 2017.
  • Served as chair of the board of directors of Camp B'nai Brith of Ottawa from 2007 to 2017.
  • Was president of the Ottawa Jewish Community School from 2017 to 2019.
  • Received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of community service.

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