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Mr. George Phillip Drametu
Representative for North America Affairs
Areas of Practice:
He is an Advocate of the Courts of Judicature of Canada and of the Courts of Judicature of Lesotho. He is the Representative for North America Affairs for the Catholic Lawyers Society International.
Brief Overview And Experience
- 23 years’ experience as in house counsel at RECO.
- Master of Laws in Administrative Law.
- Excellent knowledge of the real estate industry, REBBA 2002 and Regulations thereunder.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, in a team environment or independently.
- Demonstrated leadership skills.
Academic Record
- Master of Laws (LL.M) & Post Graduate Diploma in Justice System Administration, Osgoode Hall Law School of York University (2004 – 2006).
- Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B.), National Universtiy of Lesotho, (1987 – 1989).
- Bachelor of Arts in Law (B.A.LAW), (1984 – 1987)
Key Experience Record
Director, Litigation Department and Chief Privacy Officer, Real Estate Council of Ontario (2017 to date)
Achievements and responsibilities:
- Responsible for establishing a strategic vision for the department and performing the day-to-day management and administration of the litigation department to ensure effective functioning of the compliance and enforcement activities of the organization.
- Serves as the Chief Privacy Officer of the Organization liaising with the ERIM and the IT department and supervising a team in the Privacy Office of RECO
- Manages all Litigation Department resources which include Counsel, Paralegals and Legal Administrative assistants.
- Provides daily leadership, coaching and career guidance for all direct reports, and ensures the litigation department is sufficiently staffed so adequate resources are available to provide excellent service
- Develops the department staff to continuously improve communication skills, litigation skills, problem solving techniques and knowledge of the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002 (REBBA), Administrative Law and other fields necessary for optimum performance of the functions of the Litigation Department.
- Establishes strategic vision for the Litigation Department, provides direction, and strives for results. Proactively advises senior management about department performance, recommendations for improvements, monitors and reviews best practices, and makes changes as necessary.
Legal Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer, Real Estate Council of Ontario, Toronto Ontario (2000 – 2017)
Achievements and Responsibilities:
- Served and continue to serve as Chief Privacy Officer of RECO
- Member of the Enterprise Risk and Innovation Management working group for RECO
- Drafted the Accommodation Policy and acted as the Licenced Representative for the RECO legal department for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiative of the Law Society of Ontario
- From 2012 to 2017, managed the legal department in the absence of the Director, performing functions including; assignment of work, observing attendance, dealing with RECO’s corporate insurer, instructing external counsel and providing day to day support to the department
- Mentored and continue to mentor all junior counsel and para-legal at RECO
- Acted as principal and supervisor to RECOs articling student in 2016-2017
- Acted as counsel at discipline cases, including conducting prosecutorial viability analysis and advising the Deputy Registrar, Manager and staff of the Complaints and Compliance Department, drafting pleadings, appearing at pre-hearings, motions, hearings and appeals before RECO Discipline and Appeal tribunals
- Acted as counsel on administrative actions undertaken by the Registrar, including conducting prosecutorial viability analysis, drafting/reviewing terms and conditions, drafting proposals to refuse/revoke/suspend registrations, preparing other administrative orders, appearing at pre-hearings, motions and hearings before the Licence Appeal Tribunal, and the Superior Court of Justice.
- Prosecuted Provincial Offences in the Ontario Court of Justice, determined charges to be laid, attended preliminary appearances, judicial pre-trials, plea negotiations, guilty pleas, trials and appeals
- Provided counsel and advice to committees of the board, task forces, the President & CEO, the Registrar, and staff of other RECO departments as required
- On a day-to-day basis, analysed and resolved legal problems and issues for other departments, on a wide variety of legal, corporate, ethical and issues in various areas of the law
- Worked on special projects dealing with legislative and policy review & drafting as assigned
- Acted as in-house lead counsel for human rights and access and privacy law
- Researched legal issues as assigned by the manager, and provided summary and detailed legal opinions as required
- Reviewed Requests for Proposals and drafted procurement and service contracts for the Education Department, Communications Department, Board Operations and Discipline and Appeals hearings
- Represented the Legal department at quarterly meetings of Senior Counsel and Directors of Designated Administrative Agencies.
Associate – General Practice, Shuh Cline and Grossman, Kitchener, Ontario (1999 – 2000)
Achievements and Responsibilities:
• Practiced, Criminal, Family, Immigration and Real Estate law.
Student at Law, Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations, Toronto, Ontario (1997 – 1998)
Achievements and Responsibilities:
- Conducted legal and policy research and prepared legal opinions and memoranda of law.
- Drafted charges and proposals for prosecutions and hearings before the Licence Appeal Tribunal.
- Served on a committee charged with the restructuring and consolidation of four Administrative Tribunals.
Career Search Consultant – Independent Consultant with Waterloo District School Board & HRDC, Career Search Facilitation, Kitchener, Ontario (1996 – 1997)
Achievements and Responsibilities:
- Conducted workshops on Rights at Work, Human Rights Code, Employment Standards Act, Employment Insurance and Landlord and Tenant issues
- Guided clients in their career search process and prepared monthly reports for funding agency.
- Designed curriculum and facilitated intensive three week job search support groups for New Canadian professionals.
Employment Counsellor, Working For Work, Kitchener, Ontario (1992 – 1995)
Achievements and Responsibilities:
- Conducted one on one counselling and referred clients to suitable community agencies.
- Contacted prospective employers, signed placement contracts and monitored work placements.
- Led the Hiring Committee in interviewing co-facilitators.
- Supervised the activities of two junior counsellors.
- Conducted workshops on, Human Rights Code, Employment Standards Act, Employment Insurance and Landlord and Tenant issues.
Legal Aid Counsel, Ministry of Justice and Prisons, Legal Aid Department (Lesotho) (1991 – 1992)
Achievements and Responsibilities:
- Represented indigent persons in civil and criminal matters in courts of law.
- Negotiated insurance claims on behalf of clients.
- Managed the office in the absence of the Chief Legal Aid Counsel.
- Prepared Quarterly reports for the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.
- Conducted legal research and drafted pleadings, affidavits and other legal correspondence.
High School Teacher, Peka High School, Peka Lesotho (1989 – 1991)
Achievements and Responsibilities:
- Taught English Language, Literature in English and Development Studies.
- Headed the Department of Development Studies.
- Pioneered the Debating and Drama Clubs of the school.
- Drafted correspondence on behalf of Head Mistress.
Volunteer Work Experience
- Nile Care Inc., Member of the Board of Directors and Membership Committee (2011 to Current).
- Working for Work, Kitchener ON, President of Board of Directors (2000).
- K-W Multicultural Centre, Kitchener, Member of Board of Directors (1995 to 1997).
- Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support, Kitchener, Ontario (1995).
- Waterloo Community Legal Services: Member of Board of Directors (1993 to 1995).
- K-W Race Relations committee: Member of Public Issues subcommittee (1993 to 1994).
- Waterloo Wellington Federation of Tenants Association: Member of Board and Education Committee (1993 to 1994).
Other Leadership Roles
National University of Lesotho (1987 to 1988)
Achievements and Responsibilities:
- Member of the Senate Task Force for Students’ Accommodation and Nutrition
- Judge of the Students’ Judiciary
- Member of the Interim Student’s Union
Professional Affiliation
- Member of the Ontario Bar since 1999
- Member of Lesotho Bar since 1991