Christopher Smith has an extensive legal practice administering zoning, planning and wetlands applications before municipal land use agencies. He is experienced in litigating land use, environmental matters, exclusionary zoning and wetlands claims, and has argued numerous matters before the Connecticut Supreme Court and the Appellate Court. Chris has represented real estate developers, lenders, businesses, manufacturers, neighborhood associations and municipalities in land use matters. His practice includes due diligence, land use application preparation, filing and processing, and all associated court-related proceedings.
Chris served as a law clerk to the Honorable Antoinette L. Dupont, Judge of the Connecticut Appellate Court.
- BV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers: Environment; 2007-2009 and Real Estate; 2010-2011
- Listed as a Connecticut Super Lawyer®: Land Use/Zoning; 2006-2012
- Special Master, Connecticut Superior Court
- James W. Cooper Fellow, Connecticut Bar Association
- American Bar Association: Urban, State and Local Government Law Section; Energy and Environmental Law Section; Natural Resources Section
- Connecticut Bar Association: Chair, Planning and Zoning Section, Executive Committee (1997-2000); Conservation and Environmental Quality Section; Administrative Law Section
- Bridgeport Bar Association: Chair, Land Use and Environmental Section (1995-1996)
- New Haven County Bar Association
- American Planning Association, Connecticut Chapter: Executive Committee
- Connecticut General Assembly's Blue Ribbon Commission on Property Tax Burdens and Smart Growth Incentives (2002-2003)
- Connecticut General Assembly's Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Affordable Housing (1999-2000)
- Connecticut General Assembly's Inland Wetlands Task Force (1995-1996)
- State of Connecticut Ethics Commission (2001-2004)
- State of Connecticut Southwest Corridor Action Council (1996-2000)
- Town of North Branford: Member and Chair, Conservation and Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency (1991-2003)
- Town of North Branford: Town Council; Zoning Board of Appeals; Economic Development Commission (1983-1991)
Real Estate Development Litigation
Handled first case decided under § 8-30g by Superior Court: TCR New Canaan v. Trumbull Planning and Zoning Commission (March 1992) and subsequently: Town Close Associates v. Planning and Zoning Commission (1996); Avalon Bay v. Town of Orange; Quarry Knoll II Corp. v. Planning and Zoning Commission (2001).