Meet the Team

Jason Bechtel is Senior Legal Counsel in the Office of University Counsel (OUC) and Research Oversight & Compliance Office in the Division of the Vice-President, Research, Innovation & Strategic Initiatives at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining the University in 1997, Jason completed articles at Gowling, Strathy & Henderson LLP (now Gowling WLG) before holding progressively senior appointments in the Division of the Vice-President, Research, Innovation & Strategic Initiatives for over 25 years. Jason completed undergraduate studies in english and history prior to obtaining his LL.B at Western University.

John Parsons is Legal Counsel in the Office of University Counsel (OUC) and Innovations & Partnerships Office in the Division of the Vice-President, Research, Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining the University in 2018, John served as Manager, Industry Liaison and Business Development at George Brown College. John obtained his LL.M from the University of Hong Kong after receiving his BA and LL.B from the University of Saskatchewan where he served as in-house counsel for nearly a decade.

Christine Kellowan is Senior Legal Counsel in the Office of University Counsel (OUC) and Division of the Vice-President, Operations & Real Estate Partnerships at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining the University in 2021, Christine served as an associate in a local construction law firm where she received the Sean P. McKenna Young Construction Leaders Award from the Toronto Construction Association. An alum of York University, Christine completed undergraduate studies in political science prior to obtaining her JD from Osgoode Hall Law School.

Daniel Kolanko is Legal Counsel in the Office of University Counsel (OUC) and Operations & Real Estate Partnerships at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining the University in 2024, Daniel served as Legal Counsel for Orlando Corporation and the Skyline Group of Companies as well as a major Canadian life insurer. A proud University of Toronto alum, Daniel completed undergraduate studies in journalism at Carleton University prior to obtaining his JD from the University of Western Ontario and MSc in urban planning from the University of Toronto.

Tad Brown is Counsel, Business Affairs & Advancement for the Division of University Advancement (DUA) and Office of University Counsel (OUC) at the University of Toronto. He also serves as Vice-President, U of T Hong Kong Foundation, and Secretary, Associates of the University of Toronto Inc. Prior to joining the University in 1996, Tad practiced corporate, tax, trusts and estate law at McMillan LLP. He is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, Canadian Corporate Counsel Association, and Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). He served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (Ontario Division) and Chair of AFP’s National Government Relations Committee. Tad is a member of the Minister of National Revenue’s Charities Advisory Committee, a member of the Executive Committee of the Ontario Bar Association (Charity and Not-For-Profit Law Section), and a Director of the AFP’s Canada Council.

Brent Duguid is Legal Counsel in the Office of University (OUC) and Director of Partnerships in the Office of Business, Operations & Strategic Affairs at the University of Toronto Scarborough. Prior to joining the University in 2012, Brent worked in municipal and land use planning law at Cassels LLP. Brent serves as Board Secretary for the Toronto Pan-Am Sports Centre at the University of Toronto Scarborough and formerly served on the boards of Rouge Valley Hospital Foundation, West Hill Community Services, and the Scarborough Business Association. A proud University of Toronto Scarborough alum, Brent completed undergraduate studies in political science and history prior to obtaining his LL.B from Western University.