City Council approves the hiring of Karen Fields to serve as City Solicitor

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Today, Sault Ste. Marie City Council approved the hiring of Karen Fields to serve as the City Solicitor effective January 7, 2019. Ms. Fields will oversee the Legal Department, including Provincial Offences Act Division and will provide legal services and advice on matters associated with the City. In this role, she will serve as the City's chief legal advisor and provide guidance to City Council, Chief Administrative Officer, Executive and Senior Management and staff on diverse legal, administrative and regulatory proceedings normally associated with a municipal Legal Department.

"I am pleased that Ms. Fields has agreed to take on this critical leadership role within our organization. Karen has extensive legal experience appearing before all levels of court in Ontario and before various administrative tribunals. Senior management and I look forward to working with her," said Al Horsman, Chief Administrative Officer.

Karen has been a partner for the past 15 years at Crawford Chondon & Partners LLP in Brampton, Ontario. Prior to that, she was an Associate and Partner with Mathews Dinsdale & Clark, LLP in Toronto, Ontario. Karen's municipal expertise includes Provincial Offences Act work in defense and prosecution. She has extensive experience working with regional municipalities and cities regarding employment law, has worked with police services boards, emergency services, transit authorities and utilities providing advice and representation. Karen has been consistently recognized and included in "Best Lawyers" in Canada for her work in Occupational Health and Safety Law, including the 2018 edition. She has provided seminars and speaking engagements for numerous associations and professional conferences and has a proven record of accomplishment in all levels of court and various tribunals.

Karen was called to the Ontario Bar and is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and received her BA and LL.B from the University of Western Ontario (now Western University). Karen is a member of various professional and social organizations including the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers and the Advocates Society. Karen is looking forward to returning back to Sault Ste. Marie.
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