Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Hobbies and Interests
Awards
OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Timeline
Generic

Jane Smith

Toronto,ON

Summary

Dynamic legal executive with a proven track record at 456 Corp, excelling in contract negotiation and regulatory compliance. Spearheaded initiatives that reduced operational costs by over $180,000 annually while fostering strategic partnerships. Adept at risk management and leading teams, driving significant improvements in legal processes and business outcomes.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary - Corp XYZ Inc.

456 Corp
06.2022 - Current
  • Responsible for managing legal and other business risks for the company and for collaborating with peers on the Executive Leadership team to keep the company moving towards growth of multi-billion dollar finance portfolio and automotive sales, sustained profitability and meeting of financial and other KPIs for all divisions.
  • Recognition for delivering on significant projects, including modernizing and automation of contracts to meet provincial legislation changes and balance of consumer protection with commercially practical solutions in making updates
  • Creation of comprehensive vendor management process, focusing on compliance with data protection laws
  • Key project management role in divestiture of X1X business unit from Corp, within tight timelines.
  • Oversight and responsibility for Compliance at Corp AML, including implementation of new compliance program to meet regulatory update requiring Corp to become a regulated entity, utilizing technological solutions and generative AI for efficient reporting and analysis, and successfully securing budget and additional FTEs for the program.
  • Secured unprecedented resolution in investigation by provincial regulator, avoiding fines and non-compliance findings which were assessed against multiple other automotive financiers, due to collaborative negotiation and measured responses to requests for information.
  • Successfully challenged and redefined business processes relative to financial contract management and retention, through creative and commercially-minded interpretation of secured property laws and evidentiary rules, resulting in reduced time to contract implementation and operational cost savings of over $180,000 pa.
  • Manage internal legal department and relationships of various business areas with external counsel to ensure business is provided with high level legal and strategic business advice conducive to modern business practices, cost and process efficiencies and optimization of the business.
  • Recruiting and leading new Legal team to manage all relevant legal and business matters and create effective partnerships with business teams throughout the company, educating and advising colleagues on applicable legal and regulatory risks and developments.
  • Global Automakers Legal Committee member, working in collaboration with team members to understand and influence proposed regulations in purposeful manner for the automotive industry.
  • Oversee all legal matters, including in relation to privacy, compliance, litigation, corporate governance, employment law, strategic negotiation and internal policy setting.
  • Providing training and education for all business areas, establishing “Legal Clinic”.
  • Active member of C’s Auto Finance and Leasing Committee, working with other C members on relevant initiatives to influence regulation.
  • Founder and Co-Chair of DEI Council, leading multiple creative initiatives focused on empowerment through education, to advance inclusion, positive corporate culture and customer impact.
  • Vice-President General Counsel, Secretary and Chief Privacy Officer - Corp Financial Services XYZ 06/18-Present

Assistant General Counsel & Assistant Secretary

E Corp
06.2014 - 05.2018
  • XYZ’s sole legal counsel, handling all legal matters in XYZ, strategic negotiation of all XYZZ non-standard client and supply-side transactions relating to fleet leasing and fleet management services, preparation of all template documentation, consistently gaining recognition for excellence from Leadership.
  • Advising members of XYZZ Senior Leadership Team on strategic legal, compliance, privacy and business matters on new initiatives and all other relevant matters.
  • Key responsibility for time-sensitive integration of three legacy business platforms after multiple amalgamations affecting the business within one year, ensuring business continuity through one aligned Legal and Contract policy on documentation and contract implementation, requiring close liaison with affiliates.
  • Management of XYZZ Contract Administration team, providing advice and guidance on ad hoc basis., training Commercial Team throughout XYZ on legal and related business matters
  • Working with all internal functions on cross-section of legal/business matters, directing external counsel.
  • International Work - Managing high profile global/multi-jurisdictional client transactions, working in conjunction with A Service Lease and addressing pertinent issues with E Corp’s US/ANZ/Mexico Legal.

Senior Counsel

Bank Capital Markets, Derivatives Legal Group
09.2010 - 05.2014
  • Leading multi-faceted derivatives and other capital markets transactions with global counterparties.
  • Designated lead counsel to manage all legal matters relating to repo and ISDA transactions by Bank Ireland.
  • Mentoring junior lawyers in relation to compliance with evolving requirements of US derivatives regulations.
  • Legal Counsel
  • Negotiation of key matters in ISDA documentation for Bank of Montreal and BMO Harris Bank with clients from various industries, including dealership finance, real estate and international financial institutions.
  • Experience in devising innovative solutions and undertaking research to resolve issues on time-sensitive transactions utilizing ISDA Master Agreements, Credit Support Annexes and other financing documentation.
  • Working closely with internal stakeholders on non-standard collateralization and security arrangements.

Contract Specialist Lawyer

XYZ, Business Finance - Lease/Loan Financing
01.2008 - 09.2010
  • First lawyer hired to lead transactional documentation team - embraced challenge of initiating change in the business by leading team to enhance team’s legal drafting, analysis and negotiation skills, enabling team to gain complete ownership of transactions and simplification of funding processes.
  • Worked on commercial and construction equipment structured lease and loan financings; review, negotiation and drafting of financing agreements and security documentation; conducted due diligence; worked collaboratively with other counsel, risk management, sales team and external stakeholders.
  • Creation of legal compliance training materials, leading presentations on relevant legal/policy changes.

Trainee Solicitor

123, London and New York
London and New York
09.2002 - 02.2003
  • Conducted legal research to support case preparation and client inquiries.
  • Drafted legal documents, including contracts and briefs, under supervision.

Articling Term

Sol LLP, Toronto
Toronto
01.2006

Education

GCU.D. - Leadership diploma program

Korn Ferry and Women General Counsel XYZ
01.2023

Post-Graduate Diploma - Legal Practice

01.2000

Law LL.B. (Honours) - Upper Second-Class

King’s College, University of London
London, UK
01.1999

A-Levels -

Woodford County High Grammar School
Essex, UK
01.1995

Skills

  • Contract negotiation and vendor management
  • Regulatory compliance and privacy law
  • Risk management strategies
  • Strategic planning

Certification

  • Certified Institute of Privacy Professionals/XYZ - Certified Privacy Professional 2023
  • NCA Certificate of Equivalency for LL.B. in Ontario 2003
  • Admitted as Solicitor of Supreme Court, England & Wales 2003
  • Call to the Bar – Law Society of Ontario 2007

Languages

Languages: Fluent in English, Urdu, Hindi, conversational Punjabi

Hobbies and Interests

Widely travelled; have taught English as volunteer in Eastern European countries; aspiring florist and interior designer; enjoy boxing, kickboxing, entertaining and cooking; and, fast cars.

Awards

In-House Legal Leader of the Year (Nominee), CCCA/Mondaq XYZZ In-House Counsel Awards 2025, Lawson Lundell LLP Award for Law Department Leader of the Year (Excellence Awardee), XYZZ Law Awards 2025, XYZZ Law Department of the Year (Excellence Awardee), XYZZ Law Awards 2025, Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in XYZ, XYZZ Lawyer Magazine 2024, Action in Diversity & Inclusion Award (Finalist), CCCA/Mondaq XYZZ In-House Counsel Awards 2024, Notable Champion of Diversity, Automotive News XYZ 2023

OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • Network – Founding member and current President, leading initiatives to create safe spaces for IBPOC GCs and senior legal executives to connect, advancing Student Fellowship program for law students, co-planning and co-chairing highly acclaimed Empowered Voices Annual Conferences, leading partnership initiatives with law firms, tripling membership base and leading a facelift for the organisation.
  • Mentorship – guiding young legal professionals through formal programs and informal opportunities.
  • Multiple speaking engagements – topics include leadership in the automotive industry, career advancement, ESG, supply chain oversight, regulatory changes, business strategy in the face of volatile geopolitical/macroeconomic environment, DEI topic.
  • CCCA/Rotman In-House Counsel Leadership Program – Executive-in-Residence on ad hoc basis, since 2022
  • Ontario Bar Association – Speaker in Career Accelerator Program
  • Alpha Resource Centre, Toronto - Vice-Board Chair and Governance Committee Member
  • Heal the Future Campaign, Sick Kids Hospital – Campaign Cabinet

Timeline

Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary - Corp XYZ Inc.

456 Corp
06.2022 - Current

Assistant General Counsel & Assistant Secretary

E Corp
06.2014 - 05.2018

Senior Counsel

Bank Capital Markets, Derivatives Legal Group
09.2010 - 05.2014

Contract Specialist Lawyer

XYZ, Business Finance - Lease/Loan Financing
01.2008 - 09.2010

Articling Term

Sol LLP, Toronto
01.2006

Trainee Solicitor

123, London and New York
09.2002 - 02.2003

GCU.D. - Leadership diploma program

Korn Ferry and Women General Counsel XYZ

Post-Graduate Diploma - Legal Practice

Law LL.B. (Honours) - Upper Second-Class

King’s College, University of London

A-Levels -

Woodford County High Grammar School

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