- When did you first get involved with the OBA?
I first got involved with the OBA in 2022 when I became a Member-at-Large of the Business Law Section Executive and the Chair of the Securities Law Committee.
- What is your role on the OBA Business Law Section?
I currently serve as Co-Chair of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programming, Chair of the Securities Law Committee, and as a member of the Business Law Section Executive.
- What is/are your specific area(s) of practice?
Corporate and securities law, with a focus on practical guidance and resources that support transactional and compliance work.
- How long have you been practicing?
I practiced law for approximately 22 years before transitioning to Thomson Reuters in 2013 to help bring Practical Law to Canada as a Lawyer Editor.
- What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
Ensuring the Practical Law Canada resources I am responsible for remain accurate and up to date as legislation, regulations, and market practices evolve.
- What is the most interesting or fulfilling aspect of your job?
The most interesting part is the constant learning – my role gives me exposure to new developments across corporate and securities law and emerging ways to use artificial intelligence to make legal research and knowledge-sharing more efficient. The most fulfilling part is hearing from lawyers that these resources genuinely help them work more efficiently and confidently.
- If you were not practicing in your current area of law, what other area(s) of law could you see yourself in and why?
I really enjoyed real estate during articling and could see myself practicing in that area. There are similarities to my current area – helping clients transfer property and navigate important transactions – just with a different kind of asset. I also appreciate that a residential real estate deal is often a milestone moment for clients, and I would enjoy being part of that process.
- What are you excited for as an executive member of the OBA Business Law Section?
I am excited to keep learning and to collaborate with the other executive members. I also look forward to chairing programs and learning from the speakers who share practical insights with our members.
- What is the one thing you would like to see the OBA Business Law Section do this year?
I would love more opportunities for in-person connection – especially a chance to meet and collaborate with the executives in person, since we have worked together for years primarily through virtual meetings.
- Can you mention one exciting thing you have worked on recently?
I have been working on integrating AI tools into our Practical Law resources to help lawyers work more efficiently. While much of my work involves continuous updates and improvements rather than discrete projects, I find the evolution of legal technology particularly fascinating right now.
- Where did you go to law school?
University of Toronto Faculty of Law.
- What was the most helpful thing you learned in law school?
The art of negotiation. I was fortunate to learn from an instructor affiliated with the Harvard Negotiation Project, who taught approaches covered in the books ‘Getting to Yes’ and ‘Getting Past No’. I still use those frameworks regularly – both professionally and in everyday life.
- What is the one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were still a student?
Learn to delegate early. It is valuable to understand how to do every part of your work, but you should not feel the need to do everything yourself – delegate to the most appropriate person so you can focus your time where it adds the most value.
- What is your go-to mental health wellness activity?
I meditate for at least 10 minutes every day, usually using the Calm app. I have been meditating since I was very young, and I have not missed a day since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- What is your go-to coffee order?
Americano or dark roast coffee with cream – sweetened with maple syrup if available, otherwise honey, or one sugar (in that order of preference). I also like to add a dash of cinnamon if readily available.
Any article or other information or content expressed or made available in this Section is that of the respective author(s) and not of the OBA.