Consulting Practice Team

Bethune is a Vice-President in the Ontario Retirement Solutions and International Practice of Morneau Shepell and consults, speaks and writes internationally on pension & benefit plan issues.  With over 30 years of experience, Bethune manages Morneau Shepell’s Governance, Legal and Compliance Consulting Team in Toronto and co-manages the Toronto Regulatory Practice, a large multi-specialty team of people working on over 180 pension plan wind-ups and restructurings in Canada, including Nortel, Sears, Stelco, Royal Oak Mines, Algoma and Indalex.  She is also responsible for advising the firm’s professionals and clients on a broad range of pension & benefit plan issues.

Areas of Practice

Bethune has had a very wide variety of experience in her 30 years as a pensions and benefits lawyer.  Currently she is spending a lot of her time on pension plan wind-ups and governance.

Industry Involvement / Membership

Bethune participates regularly on committees. She was a member of the industry working group (IWG) assisting the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities (CAPSA) with a review and revisions to the Pension Plan Governance Guideline and Self-Assessment Questionnaire from 2014 until 2016, and she participated on the IWG assisting CAPSA in drafting its guidelines on Prudent Investment and Pension Plan Funding from 2009 until 2011. Bethune has held the position of Chair, both of the Legal Advisory Committee to the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) and the Ontario Council of the Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM); she was also a past Executive member of the Pension and Benefits Section of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA), a member of the Ontario Council of the Canadian Pension & Benefits Institute (CPBI) and a member of the Pension Review Committee.

Bethune is a past faculty member of both the Osgoode Certificate in Pension Law, and the Centre for Employee Benefits (Humber College). 

Education

Bethune graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Western University in 1983 (Dean’s Honour List) and a Juris Doctor (originally a Bachelor of Laws) from University of Toronto Law School in 1986. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 1988.

Certifications

In May 2014, Bethune completed the Certificate in Adjudication for Administrative Agencies, Boards and Tribunals.

Appointments

Bethune was appointed in April 2018 as the Vice-Chair of the Ontario Financial Services Tribunal.  She has been a member of the Tribunal since 2013.

Presentations and Public Speaking

Bethune participates regularly as a speaker in the pensions area, with a strong focus on risk management and governance related topics.

Publications

Bethune was Editor and later Executive Editor of the Morneau Shepell Summary of Pension Legislation in Canada for many years.  She has been coordinating publication of the Morneau Shepell Handbook of Canadian Pension and Benefit Plans since 2002.

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TJ is a Vice-President in the Ontario Retirement Solutions and International Practice of Morneau Shepell and consults, speaks and writes internationally on pension & benefit plan issues.  With over 17 years of experience, TJ is the National Chair of Morneau Shepell’s Governance, Legal and Compliance Consulting Practice and co-manages the Toronto Regulatory Practice, a large multi-specialty team of people working on over 180 pension plan wind-ups and restructurings in Canada, including Nortel, Sears, Stelco, Royal Oak Mines, Algoma and Indalex. He is also responsible for advising the firm’s professionals and clients on a broad range of pension & benefit plan issues.

Areas of Practice

TJ has had a very wide variety of experience in his 17 years as a pensions and benefits lawyer.  Currently he is spending a lot of his time overseeing the administration of plans that Morneau has been appointed by regulators to administer, both those that are ongoing and those that are being wound up, as well as all aspects of pension and benefits governance.

Industry Involvement / Membership

TJ participates regularly on committees. In February 2017, TJ was appointed to the Financial Services Commission of Ontario Legal Advisory Committee. The mandate of the Legal Advisory Committee is to provide confidential advice to the Deputy Superintendent of Pensions in respect of the Deputy Superintendent’s responsibilities under Ontario’s Pension Benefits Act and Financial Services Commission of Ontario Act and the regulation of pension plans in Ontario. Immediately prior to this appointment, he was a member of the FSCO Administration Advisory Committee. Previously he was an Executive member of the Pension and Benefits Section of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA).

TJ is a faculty member for the Osgoode Hall Law School Certificate in Pension Law and Humber College’s Pension Plan Administration Certificate, teaching on governance and risk management. 

Education

He received a B.A. from York University in 1993 (Dean’s Honour List), and both a J.D. (originally a Bachelor of Laws) from Osgoode Hall Law School and a M.B.A. from the Schulich School of Business in 1999.He was called to the Ontario Bar in 2001.

Presentations and Public Speaking

TJ participates regularly as a speaker in the pensions area, with a strong focus on risk management and governance related topics.

Publications

TJ is a contributing author of the Morneau Shepell Handbook of Canadian Pension and Benefit Plans (the “Handbook”). He has written extensively on the topics of governance, plan wind ups and multi-employer pension plans.

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Andrew joined Morneau Shepell in 2003 as a pension lawyer, having previously worked with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario in the regulation of pension plans and insurance in Ontario. He advises clients with respect to compliance with pension legislation, income tax legislation, plan mergers and asset transfers, pension plan investments and family law and estate issues. Andrew has expertise in drafting pension plan texts and supporting documentation for both private and public sector pension plans, as well as multi-employer plans. He prepares policy submissions to government and has advised Canadian governments on policy matters.  He has also drafted pension legislation for various jurisdictions in the Caribbean. Andrew is Morneau Shepell’s National Specialist for Legislation and sits on the firm’s national committee for Defined Contribution Pension Plan Consulting. He is the lead editor of the Morneau Shepell Summary of Pension Legislation in Canada, an editor of the Morneau Shepell Handbook of Canadian Pension and Benefit Plans, and a contributing author to both Financial and Estate Planning for the Mature Client in Ontario and the Morneau Shepell Handbook of Canadian Pension and Benefit Plans. Andrew received his LL.B. degree from the University of Toronto Law School (2002) and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2003.

Industry Involvement

• Serves as the Information Technology Liaison on the Executive of the Ontario Bar Association’s Pension and Benefits Law section
• Co-author of Legal Fundamentals for Insurance and Financial Advisors (Advocis textbook for Chartered Life Underwriters)
• Has appeared as an expert witness before an administrative tribunal
• Has developed and delivered regulatory training programs and participated in pension law reform efforts in a number of Caribbean jurisdictions
• Has contributed articles to Benefits and Pensions Monitor magazine, as well as Ontario and Canadian Bar Associations and the International Pension & Employee Benefits Lawyers Association publications

François is a notary and Principal at Morneau Shepell. He spent 10 years in private practice before joining the firm in 1992 and has 24 years of experience in the pension consulting field. He provides clients with a variety of legal services related to their pension and benefits programs, including analysis of the legal aspects of pension plans; modification of pension plan texts to comply with existing legislation; and advice with respect to proposed legislation related to pension plans, employee benefits, discrimination, and labour standards. François is one of the firm’s National Specialists on pension governance issues. He has received a Certificate in Conventional Arbitration from the Institut des arbitres du Canada Inc. (Québec section) (1988); Diplome en droit notarial from the University of Montréal (1982); and a Licence en lettres légales from the University of Montréal (1981).

Industry Involvement

• Member of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Lectures frequently on pension issues, particularly on the role and responsibilities of pension committee members, as well as on the legal aspects of retirement planning

Julie is a lawyer and a Principal at Morneau Shepell since 2008. She has more than twenty five years of experience in the pension consulting field with major actuarial firms. Julie provides clients and colleagues with a variety of legal services regarding their registered and non registered pension plans and benefit programs. Julie has expertise in drafting pension plan texts and supporting documentation for pension plans including providing support on design, legal aspects and compliance with various legislation. Julie also assists clients with respect to pension governance issues and provides trainings to pension committees. In addition, she is a contributor to Morneau Shepell’s News & Views newsletter and the Morneau Shepell Handbook of Canadian Pension and Benefit Plans.

Industry Involvement / Membership

• Past chair of the executive of the National Pensions and Benefits Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) in 2010-2011
• Member of the CBA National Pensions and Benefits Law Section executive from 2006 to 2010
• Editor of the CBA’s National Pensions and Benefits Law Section’s newsletter For Your Benefit in 2006

Education

Julie was admitted to the Québec Bar in 1990 after earning her Baccalauréat en droit (LL.B.) from the University of Montréal in 1989.

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Maryse is a lawyer and a Senior Legal Consultant at Morneau Shepell since 2015. Maryse has significant expertise and experience regarding plan design, including innovative plan designs, having been involved in the conversion and implementation of the “Share Risk Plan” pension model for several plans in the province of New Brunswick. She advises colleagues and clients on issues such as plan structure, governance, administration, compliance and plan conversions. Maryse also has expertise in drafting pension plan supporting documents as well as governance related documentation, and provides training to pension committees/board of trustees.

Industry Involvement

• Member of the Law Society of New Brunswick
• Member of the Canadian Bar Association

Education

• LL.B., Université de Moncton, 2004
• B.Sc.F., Université de Moncton, 2001
• Called to the Bar of Ontario, 2005 (resigned 2007)
• Called to the Bar of New Brunswick, 2006

Presentations and Public Speaking

• Has developed and delivered seminars on fiduciary responsibilities for pension plan trustees, as well as regulatory and legal updates 

Publications

• Morneau Shepell Handbook of Canadian Pension and Benefit Plans, 16th edition – Contributing Author
• Morneau Shepell, News & Views Publication – Contributing Author

Gregory, a lawyer and Senior Legal Consultant at Morneau Shepell Ltd., is well versed in pension and benefits issues and experienced in drafting governance policies and procedures, as well as educating and advising boards of directors/trustees on governance matters. He provides advice concerning pension and benefits plans, including governance, design and documentation, regulatory compliance, wind ups, insolvency related pension litigation, mergers and acquisitions, and related due diligence.

Gregory remains abreast of recent developments in pension and benefits governance on both a national and international level and strives to inform and educate his clients on governance issues and risk management best practices. He also has developed and presented retirement planning seminars, as well as presenting on the governance best practices, the duty to accommodate, powers of attorney & wills, and issues for employee groups.

Gregory is a contributing author and coordinator of the “Morneau Shepell Handbook of Canadian Pension and Benefit Plans” and also a contributor to the Morneau Shepell “Summary of Pension Legislation in Canada”. He also regularly drafts industry articles for internal and external clients advising of recent pension and benefit-related news.

Gregory has also focused on the potential impact for employers of the legalization of recreational cannabis and the need to draft/review/amend workplace policies.

Areas of Practice

• Pension & Benefits
• Governance
• HR Policy

Industry Involvement

• Serves as the Information Technology Liaison on the Executive of the Ontario Bar Association’s Pension and Benefits Law section 
• Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute - Regional Planning Committee
• Association of Canadian Pension Management - Member

Education

• J.D., Dalhousie University School of Law, 2008
• Called to the Bar of Nova Scotia, 2009

Presentations and Public Speaking

• Has developed and delivered regulatory training programs and participated in pension law reform efforts.
• Has developed and delivered seminars on fiduciary responsibilities, pension plan trustee education, legal updates, member educations, etc.

Publications

• Morneau Shepell Handbook of Canadian Pension and Benefit Plans, 16th ed – Coordinator and Contributing Author
• Morneau Shepell Handbook of Canadian Pension and Benefit Plans, 15th ed –  Contributing Author
• Morneau Shepell “Summary of Pension Legislation in Canada” – Contributor 

Connect with Gregory Clooney on LinkedIn

Marcel is a pension and benefits lawyer with extensive experience in tax, employment and executive compensation.

Areas of Practice

• Tax
• Labour & Employment
• Pensions
• Health & Benefits
• Executive Compensation
• Corporate, Commercial

Industry Involvement / Membership

• Canada Tax Foundation

Education

• LL.B., University of Toronto, 1976
• B.Sc. (Physics), University of Toronto, 1978
• Diploma, Legislative Drafting, University of Ottawa, 1980

Certifications

• Member, Ontario Bar (1978)
• Member, Québec Bar (1987)

Connect with Marcel Théroux on LinkedIn

Tracy is a lawyer and Legal Consultant with the Governance, Legal and Compliance Consulting Practice at Morneau Shepell. Tracy advises clients and colleagues on a broad range of legal issues related to both defined benefit and capital accumulation plans across Canada, including plan design, administration, governance and continuous regulatory compliance. She also advises clients in various Caribbean jurisdictions on fiduciary duties and governance best practices. In addition, Tracy provides support to the Health & Benefits Consulting Practice to educate clients on recent legal developments, issues and risk management best practices.

Areas of Practice

• Pensions
• Compliance
• International / National Governance
• Health & Benefits 

Industry Involvement / Membership

• Association of Canadian Pension Management – Member, 2018/2019
• Ontario Bar Association, Pension and Benefits Law Section – Regional Coordinator, 2018/2019
• Canadian Bar Association, National Pension and Benefits Law Section – Communications Committee Member, 2018/2019

Education

• B.B.A. (Hons), York University, 2010
• J.D., University of Windsor, 2015
• Called to the Bar of Ontario, 2016

Certifications

• The Osgoode Certificate in Pension Law

Publications

• Morneau Shepell, “Summary of Pension Legislation in Canada” – Contributor
• Morneau Shepell, News & Views Publication – Contributing Author

Connect with Tracy Solhi on LinkedIn

David is a legal pension consultant with the Regulatory, Governance and Legal practice at Morneau Shepell. David advises clients on a range of legal issues including plan administration, governance and regulatory compliance. He also authors articles on pension and benefits-related news, and contributes to national health and benefits legal updates.

Before joining Morneau Shepell in 2018, David trained at a law firm in downtown Toronto where he specialized in labour, pensions and employee benefits law. More recently he worked as a consultant in the financial industry.

Areas of Practice

• Pensions and Benefits
• Governance
• Compliance

Industry Involvement / Membership

• Member, Law Society of Ontario, 2016
• Member, Canadian Bar Association
• Member, Ontario Bar Association

Education

• BA (Hons.), McGill University, 2008
• MA, McGill University, 2010
• JD, University of Toronto, 2015

Publications

• Morneau Shepell, News & Views – Contributor
• Morneau Shepell, Summary of Pension Legislation in Canada – Contributor