ANNOUNCEMENT (May 15, 2025): Carvello Law – Environmental & Planning Law
In 2010, I established Carvello Law to pursue a passion for Planning, Development & Environmental Law. In the last 15 years, our “Original 6” local government clients were joined by 60 more, along with the Province, First Nations, Improvement Districts and, most recently, Conservation Organizations and a Housing Non-Profit Society. Over 25 years of legal practice (and 22 years as a Registered Professional Planner), I’ve been privileged to work with many fantastic people and organizations planning their communities; we’ve given practical advice, identified creative options and provided value in helping with significant developments, helping to create sound bylaws and ensure fair and transparent public process, and to enforce against those that didn’t respect local laws.
On this, my birthday, I am announcing a renewed vision for the next 15 years: Carvello Law – Environmental & Planning Law with a focus on Conservation Creation and Enforcement; this work has always been part of our practice and passion, and we simply want to devote more of our time to it. Practical Advice, Creative Options and Value will continue to be guiding principles.
The removal of Development from our logo is not intended to suggest that we are “anti-development” or “anti-industry”. On the contrary, much good conservation results from balancing new development with environmental preservation. When Developers voluntarily offer a Conservation Covenant, or other form of environmental preservation, to secure additional density and other development rights, or when Industry is compelled by Provincial, Federal or Indigenous Governments to provide environmental compensation, then they (and future landowners) should respect those laws and legal agreements. In addition to working on development proposals that include significant environmental protection, I will also continue to review OCPs, Zoning and other Bylaws; with your agreement, the fundamental legal advice will be supplemented with advice on how best to use existing legal tools for conservation and environmental protection.
As part of this transition, I will be taking a one-year research and professional development Sabbatical commencing September 2025, with my legal work limited to existing conservation matters. I express my profound appreciation to LGMA MATI® organizers and ARDPM for graciously allowing me to step back from speaking engagements this autumn. I look forward to returning with those and other Carvello on… professional development seminars in 2026 and beyond.
Michael remains with Carvello Law to advise on property, development, subdivision and procurement matters, as well as general local government advice, as you have become accustomed and as his capacity allows. Dana shares the passion for conservation and continues as our bylaw and covenant enforcement and litigation lawyer. Cameron remains as our Legal Administrative Assistant. Ben moves to be in-house legal counsel with the CRD next week, and we wanted to take this opportunity to thank him and all the previous employees of Carvello Law, especially Yvonne (Planner in the Okanagan), Lisa (Lawyer with Victoria), Jon (Planner in North Vancouver), and Asher and the other law students.
Thank You.
Lui Carvello, RPP, MCIP