Christine Silversides is General Counsel and University Secretary, Board of York University. She has practised law for more than 30 years, including 10 years in private practice in downtown Toronto and nearly seven years as senior corporate counsel for a $7 billion TSX-listed corporation. Since 2006, Christine has provided in-house legal advice and counsel to York University.
Christine began her legal career at a Bay Street firm, working with a practice group recognized for rigorous training and excellence in drafting clear, concise documents that effectively communicate the business and legal arrangements underlying complex commercial transactions and real estate developments. Since 1992, she has shared her experience and expertise through teaching and mentoring students and lawyers. Her broad practice experience—including real estate, corporate-commercial, securities, administrative litigation and general litigation—has particularly suited her to teaching legal drafting across diverse practice areas.
As York University’s principal legal counsel, Christine provides strategic legal advice on executive and policy decision-making and serves as a member of the executive leadership group. She leads legal strategy on matters with significant legal, financial and reputational implications, working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to address complex and sensitive issues and manage institutional risk. Christine also leads a team of legal counsel, strategically prioritizing matters to maximize the effective use of in-house legal resources.