Ontario Tech strengthens senior leadership team with appointment of new General Counsel

Ontario Tech University announces the appointment of Jennifer MacInnis as its General Counsel, effective Thursday, August 15.  

Ms. MacInnis will be responsible for all legal services of the university and for the provision of legal support related to policy matters affecting Academic Council, the Board of Governors, all sub-committees of the Board, the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, and the executive leadership team. 

Reporting directly to the President, and as part of an overall accountability that includes managing an internal team of lawyers, Ms. MacInnis will be relied upon for her expertise and direction in assessing legal risks on matters involving, but not limited to, business and commercial contracts, academic affairs, intellectual property, human rights, employment and labour law, real estate and construction, privacy issues, governance, student issues and legislative/regulatory concerns. She will oversee the team responsible for human rights, university policy, compliance, and risk management.

Ms. MacInnis is an accomplished legal and governance professional with a robust background in higher education administration and corporate law. Most recently serving as Associate General Counsel and Assistant Board Secretary at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), she played a pivotal role in overseeing legal affairs, corporate governance, and board operations. Her expertise includes negotiating complex agreements, advising on strategy, and ensuring compliance with privacy and regulatory requirements.  

Her previous leadership roles at TMU included Senior Director of Applied Research and Commercialization with Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, where she served as a research liaison for the university, facilitating collaborative relationships with industrial, not-for-profit and government partners to undertake research with university faculty, and providing commercialization advice, support and oversight. Before that, she held positions at St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto.

In addition to her legal work, she serves as the Secretary of the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, and as an instructor in TMU’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law and York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School. She was previously Chair of the Council of Ontario Universities Secretaries group, and is currently President of the Canadian Association of University Solicitors.  

TMU recognized Ms. MacInnis’ contributions with the Linda Grayson Administrative Leadership Award in 2020, and the Julia Hanigsberg Make Your Mark Award in 2017. 

She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from Queen’s University in 1998, and received a Master of Laws in Intellectual Property Law from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2003. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Computer Science from Trent University, a Master of Science in Research Administration from City University of New York, and a certificate in Privacy and Cybersecurity Law from Osgoode Hall Law School. She recently obtained a designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

Quotes

“I am delighted to join Ontario Tech University as General Counsel. Ontario Tech’s dynamic environment of growth and innovation presents an exciting opportunity to join the university’s Legal Services team members as we support the university’s legal operations.”
- Jennifer MacInnis, incoming General Counsel, Ontario Tech University

“It is my pleasure to welcome Jennifer MacInnis as Ontario Tech University’s new General Counsel. With her wealth of legal, governance and leadership experience, she is well equipped to help move our university forward in its mission and vision. I, along with the rest of the university’s senior leadership team, look forward to collaborating with her.”
- Dr. Steven Murphy, President and Vice-Chancellor, Ontario Tech University