Matthew Lewis Helfand

Matthew is a member of the firm's Municipal, Land Use Planning & Development Group. He provides strategic and practical advice to clients on a wide range of land development, planning and municipal law matters.

Matthew regularly represents developers, landowners and municipalities on various issues, including expropriations, development charges and land use planning. He has an impressive track record of securing zoning approvals for various development projects, including transit-oriented communities and high-density mixed-use redevelopments.

Leveraging his broad advocacy experience, Matthew represents clients before all levels of court in Ontario and the Federal Court of Canada. Additionally, he regularly appears before the Ontario Land Tribunal, Toronto Local Appeal Body and the Committee of Adjustment.

Matthew is the co-author of Ontario Expropriation Law and Commentary and serves as a regular contributor to the Digest of Municipal and Planning Law .

Moderator, "From Policy to Permit: Building Toronto's Next Chapter," Kehilla Affordable Housing, April 29, 2026.

Presenter, " Residential Tenancies Act , 2006 – Case Law Update 2025," Residential Tenancies Act Sessions: Building Your Legal Toolkit, April 16 & 23, 2025.