OUC’s people services team provides legal advice to the University’s administration on issues relating to students, clinical learners, faculty, clinical faculty, librarians, and staff.
About Us
OUC’s people services team is comprised of lawyers and support staff with legal expertise in a broad range of areas including administrative law and tribunals, employment law, human rights law, health law, investigations, labour law, and litigation.
While our day-to-day work generally involves legal support on people-related legal matters, we view ourselves as your strategic partner and are here to be your trusted advisor. When in doubt, give us a call—come early and come often!
We act as institutional advocates in “people related” matters;
We provide general advice on whether an activity complies with applicable laws, regulations, and University policies;
We use our institutional knowledge to help our stakeholders connect with other internal resources or consultation pathways;
We act as a sounding board for stakeholders and help structure arrangements to minimize legal risks and maximize benefits.
What We Do
OUC’s people services team provides legal advice on a range of issues, including:
Representing the University’s interests in legal processes related to academic integrity violations, academic appeals, and student discipline matters;
Representing the University’s interests in legal processes related to non-academic student misconduct matters;
Representing the University’s interests in matters related to faculty tenure and promotion appeals and academic appointments;
Supporting the University’s human resources and labour relations teams in matters involving the employment lifecycle;
Advising on human rights matters involving accommodations, allegations of harassment and discrimination, and providing legal support in responding to applications to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario;
Assisting and advising on the development and application of University policies to ensure legal compliance;
Providing legal support on litigation matters brought against or by the University;
Identifying potential areas of legal risk and recommending approaches to manage risk in view of University goals and risk tolerance;
Identifying and engaging with external counsel when their expert legal support is required.
Andrew Ebejer is Senior Legal Counsel in the Office of University Counsel (OUC) at the University of Toronto. In 2023, Andrew received People Strategy, Equity & Culture’s Award of Distinction for Distinguished Contribution HR Team of the Year. Prior to joining the OUC, Andrew served as Legal Counsel in the Office of the Vice-President & Provost and Office of the Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity & Culture. As a Career Mentor in New College’s Career Mentorship Program, Andrew was awarded the University of Toronto’s Arbor Award for his longstanding volunteer service in 2022. Prior to joining the University in 2018, Andrew practiced law at a leading labour and employment law firm for several years. A proud University of Toronto alum, Andrew completed undergraduate studies in history before obtaining his MA from York University and JD from Queen’s University.
Kendra Naidoo is Senior Legal Counsel (People) in Office of University Counsel (OUC) at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining the University in 2022, Kendra served as Senior Legal Counsel, Clinical Legal Services at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Kendra has instructed extensively on health law and mental health law in addition to representing healthcare institutions and clinicians before the Consent and Capacity Board, Ontario Review Board, Health Professions Appeal and Review Board, Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Superior Court of Justice, and Ontario Court of Appeal. A proud University of Toronto alum, Kendra completed undergraduate studies in health and disease and received her HBSc prior to obtaining her JD from the University of British Columbia’s Peter A. Allard School of Law.
Leora Jackson is Senior Legal Counsel in the Office of University Counsel (OUC) at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining the University in 2022, Leora practiced civil litigation at all levels of court at Torys LLP. A Pro Bono Ontario volunteer, Leora served on the Ontario Bar Association’s Civil Litigation Executive. An alum of Queen’s University, Leora completed undergraduate studies in mathematics before receiving an MA in gender studies and obtaining her JD from the Henry N.R. Jackman Faculty of Law. In 2025, she was part of a team recognized with an Excellence Through Innovation Award for contributions to the Guide to Experiential Learning Accommodations for Faculty, Staff & Supervisors.
Joseph Marcus is Senior Legal Counsel in the Office of University Counsel (OUC) at the University of Toronto. In 2023, Joe received People Strategy, Equity & Culture’s Award of Distinction for Distinguished Contribution HR Team of the Year. Prior to joining the University in 2022, Joseph practiced at a prominent labour and employment law firm and served as a senior advisor to Ontario’s Minister of Education. Joseph completed undergraduate studies in criminal justice and public policy before receiving his MPA from the University of Victoria and JD from Osgoode Hall Law School.
Sarah Iaconis is Legal Counsel in the Office of University Counsel at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining the University in 2021, Sarah practiced at a prominent labour and employment law firm for several years. A proud University of Toronto alum, Sarah completed her undergraduate studies in English Literature, French, and Political Science prior to obtaining her JD from Western University. In 2023, Sarah received People Strategy, Equity & Culture’s Award of Distinction for Distinguished Contribution HR Team of the Year.
Keziah Ferreira-Ally is a Legal Coordinator in the Office of University Counsel (OUC) at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining the University in 2022, Keziah served as Legal Assistant at a boutique employment and labour law firm in Toronto followed by a decade of service with Hicks Morley Stewart Storie LLP. A proud alum of University of Toronto’s University of St. Michael’s College, Keziah completed undergraduate studies in political science prior to obtaining her paralegal diploma from Yorkville College. In 2023, Keziah received People Strategy, Equity & Culture’s Award of Distinction for Distinguished Contribution HR Team of the Year.
Heather Skelton is a Legal Case Manager in the Office of University Counsel (OUC) at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining OUC, Heather served as Legal Coordinator in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Office of the Vice-Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions. Prior to joining the University in 2017, Heather worked in the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman and Ontario Energy Board after completing undergraduate studies in sociology and psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Yona Yuen is a Legal Assistant in the Office of University Counsel (OUC) at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining the University in 2026, Yona served as Legal Assistant in several boutique firms following six years at Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP and three years at Dewart Gleason LLP. An alum of Western University, Yona completed undergraduate studies in international relations and French studies prior to pursuing post-graduate legal studies and graduating as a Law Clerk from Seneca College.
Stephanie Wallace Petch is a Legal Assistant in the Office of University Counsel (OUC) at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining the University in 2023, Stephanie served as Legal Assistant for McCarthy Tétrault LLP following four years with Hull & Hull LLP. An alum of Ontario Tech University, Stephanie completed undergraduate studies in legal studies after graduating from Durham College as a Law Clerk.
Nadia Bruno is a Legal Case Manager in the Office of University Counsel (OUC) at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining OUC, Nadia served as Special Projects Officer in the Office of Appeals, Discipline, and Faculty Grievances in the Office of the Governing Council. Prior to joining the University in 2021, Nadia co-owned a paralegal practice for 8 years and appearing before the Landlord and Tenant Board, Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, Social Benefits Tribunal, Social Security Tribunal of Canada, and Ontario Small Claims Court. An alum of York University, Nadia completed undergraduate studies in law society and sociology before pursuing post-graduate paralegal studies at Seneca College.
Sara Sohail is Legal Counsel in the Office of University Counsel (OUC) at the University of Toronto where she completed her articles in 2025. A proud University of Toronto Scarborough alum, Sara completed undergraduate studies in psychology and biology and received her HBSc prior to obtaining her JD from the University of Windsor. During her final year of law school, Sara lived abroad and completed graduate coursework in international business law at the Université Jean Moulin Lyon III.
Colleen Nevison is Legal Counsel in the Office of University Counsel (OUC) at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining the University in 2026, Colleen worked at a prominent labour and employment law firm for several years. An alum of the University of Waterloo, Colleen completed undergraduate studies in psychology (cooperative education) prior to obtaining her JD from Western University.
Aurora Drummond is completing articles as a Student-at-Law in the Office of University Counsel (OUC) at the University of Toronto. Aurora completed undergraduate studies in political studies and received her BAH prior to obtaining a JD from Queen’s University. Aurora spent three years working part-time in the Office of the University Secretariat and Legal Counsel at Queen’s University.
Aliza Kraft
Summer Law Student2026
Dilvir Kalsi
Summer Law Student2026
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