Christopher Hummel

Chris Hummel stands out as a multifaceted legal professional, skillfully navigating the realms of environmental, Indigenous, and energy law. His practice encompasses a broad spectrum of complex and cutting-edge legal issues, including science-based advocacy and emerging constitutional challenges.

In the domain of environmental and land use litigation, Chris represents clients across various legal forums, including courts, tribunals, and environmental assessment processes. His litigation expertise covers a range of land-related disputes such as actions on land contamination, property rights applications, easements, damages for trespass, and injunctions. Furthermore, Chris offers strategic counsel to Indigenous governments, corporations, and municipalities on prominent environmental assessments for projects like mines, landfills, and infrastructure developments. His accredited background in land use planning enables him to tackle municipal planning issues, especially those entangled with jurisdictional and constitutional dilemmas.

In Indigenous law, Chris is not only a published authority on Impact-Benefit Agreements (IBAs) but also actively participates in negotiating these agreements between Indigenous governments and the industry. His contributions extend to drafting a variety of legal documents for Indigenous governments and corporations. Drawing from his rich experience living and working in various Northern communities, Chris brings a unique perspective to the firm's Canada North Practice Group. His deep connection with Arctic communities and knowledge of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit enrich his legal practice.

Chris's energy law practice is centered on the transition to sustainable energy sources. He provides regulatory guidance to clients involved in grid-scale battery storage, micro-grids, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, lithium-ion battery recycling, energy efficiency projects, renewable power generation, and small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). His expertise also encompasses advising fuel distributors on compliance with carbon pricing legislation under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act.

Chris's academic journey is marked by notable achievements, including awards for academic excellence and selection as a Dean's Fellow during his time at Osgoode Hall. He holds a joint JD/Master in Environmental Studies degree, with a specialization in land use planning and an intensive focus on Indigenous Lands, Resources, and Governments. Additionally, Chris holds degrees in Education and in Biology and Anthropology.

Beyond his legal career, Chris actively contributes to social justice as a student co-director and later as a board member and counsel for Osgoode's Fair Change Legal Clinic, challenging the Ontario Safe Streets Act on behalf of the homeless and street-involved individuals. His personal interests include playing the keyboard and learning French and Inuktut.

Chris's practice areas span Energy, Infrastructure, Nuclear, Mining, Climate Change and Environmental Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Environmental Litigation, and Canada North, demonstrating his versatile expertise and dedication to addressing critical legal and societal issues. Called to the Ontario bar in 2019, Chris Hummel is a dynamic legal practitioner committed to making a significant impact in his fields of specialization.