Melanie Sibenik

Senior legal and public-sector leader with more than 24 years of progressive experience providing strategic legal advice, managing complex litigation, supporting governance and regulatory compliance, and leading multidisciplinary operational teams. Brings extensive experience in high-accountability environments involving risk management, insurance, contracts, privacy, investigations, employment matters, property transactions, policy development, enforcement, and stakeholder relations. Known for sound judgment, discretion, integrity, and a practical, solutions-oriented approach to managing legal and business risk.

Previous experience with Ontario Lottery Corporation provides direct familiarity with the organization’s customer service and operational environment.

Assistant City Solicitor / Senior Litigation Counsel at THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF SAULT STE. MARIE (2012 – Present)

• Provide strategic legal advice and leadership to City Council, senior leadership, municipal departments, local boards, commissions, and committees.
• Lead the City’s litigation, insurance, and risk management portfolio, including litigation strategies, internal policies, procedures, and controls that reduce legal, financial, and operational exposure.
• Manage complex claims and litigation from initial assessment through settlement, hearing, trial, or appeal; collaborate with insurers, adjusters, external counsel, experts, and internal business units.
• Advise on legal, governance, administrative, regulatory, privacy, employment, property, and operational matters; identify risks and provide practical, solutions-oriented recommendations.
• Draft and review by-laws, agreements, licences, policies, releases, deeds, conveyances, and other legal instruments.
• Lead the Provincial Offences Division for the Algoma Catchment Area, providing court administration, judicial services, and prosecution services for 17 municipal partners.
• Supervise the Solicitor/Prosecutor, Provincial Offences Division staff, Risk Manager, and articling students; oversee staff development, performance management, and operational planning.
• Manage municipal property transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, easements, encroachment agreements, licences, agreements of purchase and sale, due diligence, and closing documentation.

Sole Proprietor / Legal Consultant at MELANIE BOROWICZ-SIBENIK, BARRISTER & SOLICITOR (2016 – Present)

• Provide legal advisory, drafting, negotiation, and litigation-support services to professional clients.
• Draft and negotiate commercial contracts, non-disclosure agreements, employment and independent contractor agreements, releases, and settlement documentation.
• Develop workplace policies and agreements addressing health and safety, workplace violence and harassment, remote work, employee relations, and organizational risk.
• Advise on contractual obligations, operational risk, employment issues, dispute resolution, and litigation strategy.

Solicitor / Prosecutor at THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF SAULT STE. MARIE (2010-01 – 2012-01)

• Conducted prosecutions and appeals involving Part I, Part II, and Part III matters under the Provincial Offences Act.
• Prosecuted matters under municipal by-laws and provincial legislation, including the Highway Traffic Act, former Liquor Licence Act, Trespass to Property Act, Building Code Act, 1992, and Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997.

Associate Lawyer at WISHART LAW FIRM LLP (2002-02 – 2010-01)

• Managed a substantial litigation practice involving insurance, commercial, employment, and administrative law matters.
• Represented clients in mediations, arbitrations, settlement negotiations, trials, appeals, and tribunal proceedings.
• Provided legal services to municipalities, townships, and school boards, including advice on assessment appeals, planning matters, by-laws, policies, agreements, enforcement, and litigation.
• Drafted pleadings, appeal documentation, books of authorities, legal opinions, agreements, and settlement documents; mentored associates, articling students, and staff.

Summer Student Administrative Assistant / Prize Office Clerk / Receptionist at ONTARIO LOTTERY CORPORATION (1993 – 1998)

Summers 1993, 1995, and 1998

• Supported corporate administration, scheduling, presentations, performance-management documentation, and front-line customer service.
• Verified winning tickets, prepared prize cheques, provided gaming-related information, and handled confidential information with accuracy and discretion.

Articling Student / Summer Student at SARLO O’NEILL (1999 – 2001)

• Supported files in family law, civil litigation, provincial offences, corporate-commercial law, real estate, administrative law, and labour and employment law.
• Prepared for and argued motions and assisted with family law trials.

Office Manager at UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR MEDIATION SERVICE (1999 – 2000)

• Conducted mediations, supervised student staff, and maintained relationships with community partners, including the City of Windsor, Community Legal Aid, and the Family Law Information Centre.

Residence Don (Delaware Hall) and Residence Advisor (Saugeen Maitland Hall and Sydenham Hall) at UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO (1994 – 1997)

Called to the Bar, Ontario – Law Society of Ontario (2002-02 – 2002-02)

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) – University of Windsor, Faculty of Law (2000)

Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – University of Western Ontario (1997)