Partner, Toronto
Direct: 416.864.7263
Main: 416.362.1011
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Year of Call: Ontario, 1998
Biography
As a pension and benefits lawyer in Hicks Morley’s Toronto office, Stephanie advises employers, plan administrators and service providers on all regulatory, governance, compliance and tax matters affecting pension, retirement and group benefit plans as well as incentive plans, compensation matters and cross-border issues.
Stephanie is the chair of the firm’s Pension, Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Group. She has recently been advising on strategic, compliance, and implementation issues associated with CAAT pension plan participation and mergers, correction of enrollment and contribution errors in pension plans, employment insurance top-up plans, buy-in annuity purchases, delegated investment mandates, plan mergers and asset transfers, and pension and benefits issues arising out of corporate spin-offs. She represented an employer in the negotiation and establishment of a jointly sponsored pension plan in a unionized environment and is currently advising on the negotiation and implementation of province-wide Employee Life and Health Trusts. She regularly advises employers on the tax treatment and wording of annual cash and equity incentive plans as well as various group benefit plans and perquisites. She frequently assists pension plan administrators with managing the issues arising out of pension division following marriage breakdown and has advised on pension and benefit issues in corporate insolvencies.
Stephanie has appeared before the Financial Services Tribunal, the Ontario Superior Court and the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
She is currently the co-chair of the firm’s United Way campaign and has climbed the CN Tower several times in fewer than 18 minutes.
Practice Areas
Industries
Arts & Sports Construction Education Energy & Utilities Financial Services Government Ministries & Agencies (Federal and Provincial) Healthcare Hospitality & Gaming Long-Term Care and Home Care Manufacturing Media & Communications Membership Associations Mining & Natural Resources Municipalities & Municipal Agencies Non-profit Organizations Professional & Technical Services Retail & Wholesale Trade Social Services Transportation & Warehousing
Awards & Recognition
Association of Canadian Pension Management
Don Ireland Award for Exceptional Volunteerism (2022); ACPM Council Award (2019)
The Best Lawyers in Canada™ (2018–2023)
Employee Benefits Law
Who's Who Legal – Global Leader (2020–2022)
Pensions & Benefits Law
Chambers Canada – Band 3 (2023); Band 4 (2020–2022)
Pensions & Benefits
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (2018–2023)
Pensions & Employee Benefits (Consistently Recommended)
Who's Who Legal – National Leader, Canada (2020–2022)
Labour, Employment & Benefits Law
Who's Who Legal (2019)
Pensions & Benefits Law
The Legal 500 Canada (2018–2019)
Pensions & Benefits Law
Memberships & Affiliations
Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM) – Chair, National Policy Committee
Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM) – Past-Chair, Ontario Regional Council
Canada Revenue Agency’s former Pension Advisory Committee (PAC) – Member (2005–2006)
Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE) – Member
Canadian Bar Association – Member
Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute (CPBI) – Member
Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) – Pension Legal Advisory Committee Member
International Pension and Employee Benefits Lawyers Association (IPEBLA) – Member
Ontario Bar Association – Member (Pension and Benefits and Taxation); Former Executive Member (Chair of Continuing Education Committee, Pensions & Benefits section) (2003–2006)
Select Publications & Presentations
“Legal Perspectives 2022–2023” 2022 ACPM National Conference: A Climate for Innovation – Exploring Sustainable Retirement, St. John’s, NL (September 28, 2022)
“Pension and Retirement Assets Upon Relationship Breakdown” Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development (April 5, 2022)
“Defined Contribution Plans: The CAP Guidelines and CAPSA DC Plans Guidelines” Osgoode Certificate in Pension Law (February 9, 2022)
“Capital Accumulation Plans – From Capital Accumulation to Pension Income” The Association of Canadian Pension Management National Conference, Moderator (September 14, 2021)
“Key 2020 Pension Developments and What to Expect for 2021” The Association of Canadian Pension Management, Moderator (March 4, 2021)
“The Retirement Savings System” Osgoode Certificate in Pension Law (February 10, 2021)
“Defined Contribution Plans: The CAP Guidelines and CAPSA DC Plans Guidelines” Osgoode Certificate in Pension Law (February 5, 2020)
Education
Queen’s University, LL.B., B.A.
