What We Do
We advise and assist the Board of Governors and Toronto Metropolitan University faculty and staff on policies, laws, governance, privacy, compliance, records management and risk management.
Our Mission
"The General Counsel and Board Secretariat advises and guides the Board, faculty and staff on policies, laws, governance and managing risk, in order to guard and uphold the reputation of the university."
Jennifer MacInnis is Interim General Counsel, Secretary of the Board of Governors and University Privacy Officer in the Office of the General Counsel. Previously, Jennifer held the role of Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, providing legal services in research, contract, and intellectual property related matters. With significant university and hospital experience in research contract drafting and negotiation, invention evaluation and licensing, and research policy development, Jennifer plays a key role in the administration of research investment at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Jennifer was also Senior Director of Applied Research and Commercialization, with the Office of the Vice President, Research and Innovation. In that role, she served as a research liaison to the University, facilitating collaborative relationships with industrial, not-for-profit and government partners to undertake applied research with University faculty. Jennifer facilitated access to research funding and provided commercialization advice, support and oversight.
Jennifer graduated with an LLB in Intellectual Property Law from Queen’s University in 1998. She received her LL.M in Intellectual Property Law from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2003. She also holds a B.A. in English & Computer Science from Trent University.
The General Counsel and Board Group ("GCBG") creates and delivers services that support the university's Academic Plan.
GCBG is comprised of the senior leadership of the Office of the General Counsel and Board Secretariat. As a group of professionals with expertise in governance, legal services, and information access and privacy, GCBG plays a key strategic role in safeguarding and upholding the reputation of Toronto Metropolitan University.
GCBG advises on matters of law and policy in order to manage risk and also ensures that sensitive information is safely handled throughout the community. On top of its day-to-day functions, GCBG also provides educational outreach and assistance to students, faculty and staff on the following areas:
- Good governance practices
- Legal advice, contract review, compliance and risk management
- Information access and privacy
- Records management