Michelle Simard
Toronto,ON
Summary
Michelle is a corporate commercial lawyer specializing in privacy and cybersecurity with a focus on technology, financial services and data protection. Michelle has litigation management experience and regulatory and risk management support expertise. She is a collaborative, solutions-oriented professional with over 15 years legal experience that can effectively meet a client’s needs and requirements within tight timelines. She can hit the ground running and is a trusted, valued and strategic business partner.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Operations Legal Counsel
PwC Canada
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Coordinated efforts among legal team members to ensure a consistent and collaborative approach to handling company-wide legal issues.
- Streamlined contract review process, resulting in reduced turnaround times and increased efficiency.
- Provided expert legal advice on complex matters for informed decision-making and risk mitigation.
- Protected company intellectual property rights through patent applications, trademark registrations, and enforcement actions against infringers.
- Drafted clear and concise contracts that protected the company''s interests while facilitating successful business transactions.
- Developed comprehensive compliance programs to minimize potential legal risks and ensure adherence to relevant regulations.
- Trained company employees on key legal issues, enhancing awareness of potential risks and fostering a culture of compliance.
- Drafted readable and enforceable agreements, contracts, and other legal documents to protect client's full legal rights.
- Conducted legal research and conferred with colleagues with subject matter expertise to develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Represented interests of clients in negotiations with regulators, external counsel and public authorities.
- Managed outside counsel effectively, controlling costs while ensuring high-quality representation in specialized areas of law.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to address legal considerations during product development processes.
Compliance Specialist
Amazon
01.2021 - 01.2021
- Reduced instances of non-compliance through meticulous monitoring of internal controls and periodic audits.
- Streamlined regulatory processes for improved efficiency and reduced errors, leading to better overall compliance.
- Evaluated existing policies regularly, identifying areas for improvement and recommending revisions as needed.
- Provided expert guidance to colleagues on matters related to regulatory compliance, solidifying company-wide understanding of requirements.
- Conducted thorough risk assessments to identify potential areas of non-compliance and recommended corrective actions.
- Served as subject matter expert by advising staff and customers and working directly with external agencies throughout audits or to remedy compliance issues.
- Assisted in the preparation of regular reports for senior management, detailing compliance activities and progress towards established goals.
- Implemented robust record-keeping systems that ensured accurate documentation was maintained according to regulatory requirements at all times.
- Performed quality reviews to uncover workflow and communication issues.
- Developed strategies for addressing identified gaps in regulatory knowledge within the organization, enhancing overall compliance awareness.
Corporate & Commercial Lawyer
LG Electronics Canada
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Prepared and reviewed contracts and other legal documents following applicable regulations.
- Advised clients on variety of legal matters, including corporate governance, intellectual property, labor law and taxation.
- Built lasting relationships with clients by demonstrating integrity, dedication, and a genuine commitment to their success.
- Improved client satisfaction with timely communication and thorough explanations of complex legal concepts.
- Delivered exceptional client service through attentive listening, empathetic understanding, and creative problem-solving to address individual needs.
- Drafted precise contracts that clearly outlined obligations between parties while anticipating potential areas of conflict or dispute.
- Reduced liability risks by conducting thorough due diligence investigations prior to entering into business transactions or agreements.
Corporate & Commercial Lawyer
City of Vaughan
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Advised clients on variety of legal matters, including corporate governance, intellectual property, labor law and taxation.
- Built lasting relationships with clients by demonstrating integrity, dedication, and a genuine commitment to their success.
- Improved client satisfaction with timely communication and thorough explanations of complex legal concepts.
- Delivered exceptional client service through attentive listening, empathetic understanding, and creative problem-solving to address individual needs.
- Advised clients on risk mitigation strategies related to corporate governance matters, minimizing potential exposure to lawsuits or regulatory action.
- Collaborated effectively with opposing counsel to expedite resolution of disputes, demonstrating professionalism and diplomatic tact.
- Served as an essential resource for colleagues by providing expert guidance on regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
Senior Legal Counsel & Privacy Officer
4Finance
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Drafted comprehensive legal policies, ensuring regulatory adherence and minimizing exposure to liability.
- Advised senior leadership on complex legal matters, contributing to strategic decision-making processes.
- Collaborated with human resources to address employment law issues, fostering a positive work environment.
- Provided expert guidance on intellectual property rights, securing valuable assets for the organization.
- Settled disputes through alternative dispute resolution methods, avoiding lengthy court battles and maintaining professional relationships.
- Assisted in structuring corporate governance policies that promoted transparency and accountability within the organization.
- Implemented cost-saving measures in managing outside counsel expenses, optimizing the legal department budget.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to develop internal procedures that streamlined legal operations.
- Maintained an up-to-date knowledge base of relevant case law developments to inform strategic legal advice and decision-making processes.
- Oversaw drafting of annual reports to ensure accurate disclosures under securities laws, promoting investor confidence in the company''s performance.
- Developed risk assessment tools for evaluating potential business partnerships, protecting corporate interests proactively.
Department Head
Garfin Zeidenberg
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Promoted a positive work environment by fostering teamwork, open communication, and recognition of accomplishments among employees.
- Enforced organizational rules and incorporated policy changes into departments' day-to-day activities.
- Mentored junior team members, providing guidance and support to foster professional growth and success.
- Maintained organized inventory with accurate records through proper ordering, tracking and auditing procedures.
- Collaborated with department personnel to coordinate multifaceted solutions to emerging problems.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction through proactive problem-solving measures and excellent communication strategies with clients.
- Led cross-functional teams in achieving project deadlines, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results.
- Managed department budget, ensuring optimal allocation of resources for maximum impact on company goals.
- Served as a liaison between the department and other divisions within the company, facilitating strong working relationships that contributed to successful projects.
- Improved department operations by capturing numerous opportunities to streamline processes and reduce waste.
Litigation Associate
Caprara Brown LLP
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Assisted attorneys with case organization and administrative tasks.
- Collaborated with lead attorney and juror specialist to recommend effective strategies corporate and commercial cases.
- Met with clients to discuss upcoming depositions and arbitrations.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of relevant legal developments by attending industry conferences and participating in continuing education programs.
- Drafted pleadings, motions, and briefs with meticulous attention to detail to strengthen our clients'' cases.
- Assisted in selecting expert witnesses, ensuring a strong foundation for our clients'' cases during trial preparation.
- Prepared detailed case summaries for senior partners, highlighting pertinent facts and issues relevant to ongoing litigation matters.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by effectively communicating case progress and providing timely updates.
- Attended court hearings to represent clients effectively and advocate for their best interests.
- Evaluated potential new cases by conducting initial consultations with prospective clients, assessing the merits of their claims, and providing strategic advice on the best course of action.
- Negotiated advantageous settlements by leveraging strong interpersonal skills and extensive knowledge of the law.
- Monitored billable hours closely to ensure accurate and timely billing for client services rendered.
- Managed complex caseloads for successful litigation, prioritizing cases based on urgency and importance.
Education
LLM. - Privacy and Cybersecurity
Osgoode Hall Law School
01.2022
Year of Call/Jurisdiction - Ontario
Ontario Bar
Toronto, ON09.2009
J.D. -
Osgoode Hall Law School
01.2008
B.A. (hons) - Political Science & History
York University
01.2004
Skills
- Excellent Attention to Detail
- Strong Organizational Expertise
- Solid Time Management
- Clear and Persuasive Oral Communication
- Effective Written Communication
- Dedicated Interpersonal
- Keen Technical
- Contract drafting
- Legal Research
- Legal writing
- Commercial Contracts
- Corporate transactions
- Litigation Management
- Legal Analysis
- Legal Compliance
- Evaluating contracts
- Settlement Negotiation
- Investigation skills
- Breach of contract
- Document filing
- Negotiation
- Case File Management
- Reviewing documents
Practice Areas
- Corporate & Commercial
- Technology
- Financial Services
- Litigation Management
- Risk Management
- Compliance & Regulatory
- Professional Services
- Privacy & Data Protection
- Cybersecurity
- Consumer Law
- Government Services
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Accomplishments
- Served 5 clients per year pro bono.
- Supervised team of 4 staff members.
- Documented and resolved high end contractual which led to continued business relations.
- Resolved product issue through consumer testing.
- Achieved privacy resolution by completing a privacy impact assessment with accuracy and efficiency.
- Collaborated with team of 3 in the development of Privacy and Cybersecurity Response Team.
- ]
Work Preference
Work Type
Contract WorkPart TimeFull TimeWork Location
RemoteHybridImportant To Me
Work-life balanceCompany CultureFlexible work hoursWork from home optionQuote
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
Walt Disney
Affiliations
- Law Society of Ontario
- Ontario Bar Association
- Canadian Bar Association
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- International Association of Privacy Professionals
Software
MS Suite
Interests
Cooking
Learning
Outside activity
Certification
- L1 License to practice in Ontario
Timeline
Senior Operations Legal Counsel
PwC Canada
01.2021 - 01.2023
Compliance Specialist
Amazon
01.2021 - 01.2021
Corporate & Commercial Lawyer
LG Electronics Canada
01.2020 - 01.2021
Corporate & Commercial Lawyer
City of Vaughan
01.2019 - 01.2020
Senior Legal Counsel & Privacy Officer
4Finance
01.2017 - 01.2018
Department Head
Garfin Zeidenberg
01.2013 - 01.2016
Litigation Associate
Caprara Brown LLP
01.2008 - 01.2013
LLM. - Privacy and Cybersecurity
Osgoode Hall Law School
Year of Call/Jurisdiction - Ontario
Ontario Bar
J.D. -
Osgoode Hall Law School
B.A. (hons) - Political Science & History
York University
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