Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP’s assistant general counsel of risk and compliance, Christine Tabbert, has been appointed the firm’s general counsel.
Tabbert works from Toronto. She will oversee Fasken’s legal affairs and legal risk management, such as client intake, conflicts, compliance, contracts, and internal structure.
She will also help bolster its governance framework and facilitate the ongoing development of its legal, compliance and risk management functions.
“Through her work as assistant general counsel, risk and compliance, Christine has demonstrated excellent judgment, providing guidance with precision and foresight. We look forward to her leadership as she continues to strengthen and advance this important function,” said Clarke Barnes, Fasken’s managing partner, in a statement.
Tabbert first joined Fasken as an articling student in 1998. She then rejoined the firm in 2000 as an associate before making partner in the firm’s litigation group.
She transitioned to Manulife Securities, where she was assistant vice president and lead counsel, advisory services at Manulife Securities. In this role, she led a team of legal professionals in providing legal advice to the senior management team and three subsidiary boards of directors.
Tabbert has tackled complex and diverse legal issues affecting business unit operations in the heavily regulated securities and insurance industry. She was also the corporate secretary to Manulife Securities Incorporated, Manulife Securities Investment Services Inc. and Manulife Securities Insurance Incorporated.
She was chief of staff to the minister of veteran affairs and associate minister of national defence from 2015 to 2017. In addition, she worked with Ontario Securities Commission Enforcement Branch as a deputy director from 2018 to 2023.
In December 2023, Tabbert once more returned to Fasken, this time in an in-house role.
According to LinkedIn, Tabbert was a Liberal Party candidate in the 2011 general election. She was also president of the University of Western Ontario Law Alumni Association from 2013 to 2015.
“Christine's experience, perspective and approach to the role will be invaluable as we continue to evolve and support the needs of our clients and colleagues,” said Neil Kravitz, Fasken’s managing partner-elect.
Tabbert takes over for Daniel Picotte, who was named the firm’s general counsel in 2020. Picotte will become a strategic advisor with Fasken.