Neil St. John
Toronto,ON
Summary
Accomplished Senior Legal Counsel - currently retired after 50 years in practice. Very wide experience in a number of areas of legal specialization. Currently serving as Property Manager of the Church of the Resurrection , 1100 Woodbine Avenue, Toronto. In that capacity I secured a 15 year lease on the Church's Daycare building, raising rent on the building from $60,000 annually to $225,000 annually , which will generate over $3 miillion in rental income for the church.
I greatly enjoyed the process of working with our church Advisory Group, our realtor and the Diocese to secure this result. I am now fully familiar with the entire process and am very interested in being able to use my knowledge to help other churches maximize the value of their properties.
Overview
47
47
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Property Manager
Church of the Resurrection
Toronto, ON
09.2022 - Current
- Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders, including board members, donors, sponsors, partners, and community leaders.
- Managed the organization's financial resources and operations to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
- Developed marketing strategies to promote the organization's mission throughout the community.
- Secured funding from public and private sources through grant writing activities or other fundraising efforts.
Chairman of the Board
Chess Institute of Canada
04.2021 - Current
- Actively participated in strategic planning sessions to identify opportunities for growth and improvement within the organization.
- Collaborated with executive team members to develop long-term objectives for the organization.
- Supported internal auditing processes to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Maintained an up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation affecting corporate governance.
Executive Director
Canadian Centre for Ethics and Corporate Policyolicy
04.2016 - 06.2019
- Developed and implemented strategic plans to ensure organizational growth and development.
- Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders, including board members, donors, sponsors, partners, and community leaders.
- Coordinated special events such as conferences or workshops designed to raise awareness about the organization's mission.
General Counsel
Canadian Public Accountability Board
06.2009 - 06.2015
- Drafted board resolutions, minutes, memoranda of understanding and other corporate documents.
- Organized meetings of the Board of Directors and shareholders, as well as preparing agendas and attending meetings.
- Handled confidential financial information related to company operations.
- Managed the preparation of shareholder communications including proxy statements, voting ballots, notifications.
- Assisted in the organization of AGMs.
- Prepared legal documents for submission to government agencies such as SEC filings or state registrations.
- Provided support during due diligence activities related to mergers and acquisitions processes.
- Monitored changes in relevant legislation and regulations affecting corporate governance practices.
- Collaborated closely with external legal counsels regarding any legal matters that may arise from time to time.
- Developed and implemented internal control systems for maintaining accurate accounting records.
- Coordinated the implementation of strategies for risk management purposes.
- Ensured adherence to legal standards across all departments within the organization.
- Facilitated communication between various stakeholders such as investors, auditors, lawyers.
- Prepared minutes of actions during board and committee meetings.
- Assisted executives with producing annual reports, sending press releases and reviewing insurance policies.
- Executed on-time, under-budget projects by solving complex issues for senior leadership.
- Reviewed and provided legal advice on various corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and divestitures.
- Assisted in the negotiation of contracts and other legal documents with external stakeholders.
- Managed a team of attorneys responsible for providing legal counsel to executive management.
- Conducted research on complex legal issues related to corporate governance, regulatory compliance, intellectual property rights and labor law matters.
- Provided guidance to senior management on risk assessment strategies related to litigation and dispute resolution.
- Developed policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Created training materials for staff members on topics such as anti-corruption legislation and data privacy regulations.
- Negotiated settlements in high profile disputes involving multiple parties.
- Worked closely with outside counsels when necessary to represent the company's interests in court proceedings or arbitration proceedings.
- Identified areas of risk exposure within existing business operations and proposed mitigation strategies.
- Served as a key member of the board of directors, providing counsel on fiduciary duties and other corporate governance concerns.
- Monitored changes in relevant laws and regulations that may impact the company's operations.
- Researched case law precedents in order to provide sound legal opinions based upon established principles.
- Developed detailed litigation strategies for [Number] cases.100's
- Developed detailed litigation strategies for [Number] cases.200
- Developed detailed litigation strategies for [Number] cases.200
- Developed detailed litigation strategies for [Number] cases.
- Applied dynamic negotiation skills and legal expertise to develop [Type] contracts.
- Advised clients on intricacies of law, fostering informed understanding of legal rights and obligations.
- Provided legal advice, opinions and solutions regarding issues and risks on various transactional and regulatory matters.
- Prepared persuasive legal memoranda, motions and briefs synthesizing facts, evidence and legal authorities.
- Performed complex legal research to prepare for cases or arbitration.
Assistant General Counsel
Interprovincial Pipe Line limited
04.1977 - 04.1988
- Reviewed and drafted legal documents, such as contracts, memoranda of understanding, and settlement agreements.
- Prepared legal opinions on issues related to corporate law and compliance matters.
- Provided advice to senior management on a range of regulatory, commercial and contractual matters.
- Conducted research on applicable laws, regulations, precedents and other legal sources to identify relevant information in support of client objectives.
- Negotiated business transactions with external parties including vendors, suppliers and customers.
- Assisted in the development of company policies that comply with local laws and regulations.
- Managed outside counsels' involvement in various projects while ensuring efficient use of resources within budget constraints.
- Monitored changes in legislation affecting operations or services provided by the organization.
- Developed strategies to resolve complex legal disputes through negotiation or alternative dispute resolution methods.
- Represented the organization at hearings before administrative agencies or tribunals.
- Advocated for the organization's interests during negotiations with government officials.
- Researched case law related to pending litigation matters involving the company.
- Provided legal advice, opinions and solutions regarding issues and risks on various transactional and regulatory matters.
- Interpreted laws and regulations in non-complex terminology to educate individuals.
- Negotiated resolutions of cases with defense attorneys and judges.
- Advised clients regarding legal matters, business transactions and claim liability.
- Negotiated and drafted settlement agreements to resolve litigated cases.
Education
J.D. - Law
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC04-1972
Bachelor of Arts - History
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, BC04-1969
Skills
- Business Administration
- Contract Negotiation
- Property Management
- Business Development
- Skilled multi-tasker
- Legal knowledge
Certification
- Member of the Law Society of Ontario - Retired
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Property Manager
Church of the Resurrection
09.2022 - Current
Chairman of the Board
Chess Institute of Canada
04.2021 - Current
Executive Director
Canadian Centre for Ethics and Corporate Policyolicy
04.2016 - 06.2019
General Counsel
Canadian Public Accountability Board
06.2009 - 06.2015
Assistant General Counsel
Interprovincial Pipe Line limited
04.1977 - 04.1988
J.D. - Law
University of British Columbia
Bachelor of Arts - History
Simon Fraser University
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