Skip to Content

Kathleen Leighton

Senior Strategy and Innovation Lawyer

Kathleen Leighton

Language(s) spoken: English

Bar Admission(s): Nova Scotia, 2016

Executive Assistant(s): Heidi Evans

After practicing corporate immigration law for several years, Kathleen transitioned into a Senior Strategy and Innovation Lawyer role and became involved in various firm-focused innovation initiatives regarding client solutions, practice re-engineering, project management, process improvement, practice health coaching, and digital literacy. Kathleen’s work with the Practice Innovation Department helps to streamline processes, reduce costs, and increase profitability.

Kathleen has her Yellow Belt Certification in Legal Lean Sigma ® Process Improvement & Project Management and experience in pricing and budgeting, data analytics, database design, Excel, SmartSheet, automated document assembly, process mapping, and other fields and technologies that allow her to work with internal and external stakeholders on practice innovation and creative problem solving initiatives.

Education & Career

Education

Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law, JD, 2015
Dalhousie University, BComm (Co-op), 2012

Activities

Member, Canadian Bar Association
Member, AI Task Force, Stewart McKelvey
Coordinator, Stewart McKelvey Beyond the  border: Immigration update publications
Peer educator, IB&M Society, 2013 – 2015
Volunteer, Community Outreach Program, Schulich School of Law, 2012 – 2015
Executive secretary, Community Outreach Program, Schulich School of Law, 2013 – 2015
Volunteer, Pro Bono Project, Schulich School of Law, 2012 – 2015
Volunteer, Business Law Associaiton, Schulich School of Law

Accolades

Clifford Rae Achievement Award
Gowlings Law & Technology Prize
Dalhousie Schulich School of Law Entrance Scholarship
Eaton Foundation Scholarship
Dean’s List, Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University Entrance Scholarship

image-description More Hide

Thought Leadership

Immigration red flags: five organizational issues that open employers to risk

Beyond the Border: A Year End Immigration Wrap-Up

think: international talent

The rise of remote work and Canadian immigration considerations

Upcoming changes for international students in Canada

Overwhelming backlog of Canadian immigration applications prompts new government action

COVID-19 immigration update

Building French language ability in Canada through immigration

New pre-boarding COVID-19 testing requirements

What steps must employers take to hire a foreign worker?

How to improve your Express Entry score

The limits of open work permits

Travelling to visit a cottage or summer home in Canada during COVID-19

New Brunswick restricts entry of temporary foreign workers

Newfoundland and Labrador introduces travel ban

Can my child obtain a work permit?

Bringing top talent to Canada’s educational institutions

Post-Brexit impact on CETA mobility

My PR Card expired! What do I do?

Five compliance tips (for employers of foreign workers)

Employer immigration compliance obligations

Bye, Bye Canadian P.I.?: What Apple’s fight against the FBI means for the protection of Personal Information in Canada

image-description More Hide

Presentations

Panelist, “Empowering Citizen Developers: Keeping your Experts in Control”, Legalweek New York, January 2024

“COVID-19 Overview for Employers of Foreign Workers”, Stewart McKelvey Fall Labour and Employment webinar, November 2020

“Top 5 Immigration Considerations for Employers”, Stewart McKelvey Nova Scotia Labour and Employment Law Client Seminar, October 2018

“Immigration Update – Key Opportunities and Risks for Employers”, Stewart McKelvey In-House Counsel Professional Development Day, April 2017

image-description More Hide