Teresa is trusted legal counsel with over two decades of experience as a civil litigation lawyer, corporate/commercial and corporate governance lawyer, appellate adjudicator at Canada’s largest tribunal, and not-for-profit corporate director. 

Effective in conflict resolution with a deep understanding of stakeholder interests, the principles of procedural fairness, natural justice, and access to justice. Extensive cultural competence in dispute resolution impacting diverse stake-holders with competing interests.

Teresa practices civil and commercial litigation with a broad range of experience in cases involving construction law, real estate development, trust, and estates, and Mareva injunctions.  She has successfully defended Mareva and Anton Pillar injunctions and was awarded substantial indemnity costs in court decisions that continue to be frequently cited as precedent.  Her written advocacy are selected precedents on Westlaw. 

Teresa’s experience in corporate governance includes Legal Counsel and Corporate Board Member in a leading international professional and certification association. During her mandate, the organization grew globally to over 29,000 members and 300 corporate members in over 40 countries. She was the Chair of the Executive Committee leading the board in accordance with the principles of corporate governance. She designed and implemented the board’s corporate governance structure, a conflict of in interest policy, and a code of conduct for corporate directors. 

Teresa was an adjudicator at the appeals level of Canada’s largest federal tribunal from 2009 to 2022.  She adjudicated 600+ decisions on immigration appeals involving criminality, misrepresentation, breaches of residency obligation, refusals of family class sponsorship for financial and medical inadmissibility, and non-bona fide relationships. She has adjudicated appeals involving persecution based on religious belief, political opinion, discrimination, domestic and gender-based violence, child claimants, and exclusions for serious criminality. 

Teresa was cited positively by the Federal Court of Canada. Adjudicators frequently cite her decisions as persuasive jurisprudence. Teresa was awarded the 2020 IRB Chairperson’s award that  recognized her contributions at the senior management level to promote effective organizational changes to achieve a healthy and inclusive workplace. 

Throughout her career, she has mentored and coached junior lawyers who have now established successful law firms in civil and family law litigation. 

Teresa is an attentive parent of two amazing teenagers.