Christopher Smith has an extensive legal practice administering zoning, planning and wetlands matters 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. Specifically, Chris has participated in over 250 land use appeals in the Connecticut courts. Chris represents 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 has written amicus curaie briefs submitted to the Connecticut Supreme Court on behalf of the American Planning Association, Connecticut Chapter; Connecticut Association of Zoning Enforcement Officers; the Connecticut Bar Association, Planning and Zoning Section; and the Home Builders Association of Connecticut.
Chris also 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 (2010-2012)
- 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 Chapter of the American Planning Association, Executive Committee (2000-2012)
- 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)
- Phare Programme: Educator on US Land Use Matters - Republic of Slovakia (1995-1996)