Queen’s Marque
600-1741 Lower Water Street
Halifax, N.S.
B3J 0J2
jennifertaylor@stewartmckelvey.com
Language(s) spoken: English
Bar Admission(s): Ontario, 2010; Nova Scotia, 2013
Legal Assistant(s): Heidi Butler
Complex legal questions require comprehensive research and analysis. Focusing on strategy, Jennifer unearths the legal principles needed to make informed decisions. From reading old English case reports to using the latest online legal research technology, she will leave no stone unturned in an effort to support colleagues and meet clients’ needs.
Jennifer prepares comprehensive legal opinions and submissions to support strong advocacy for our clients. Her work aims to advance clients’ interests as effectively and efficiently as possible by turning complex legal problems into practical advice and concise arguments. Her areas of focus and interest include insurance defence, commercial litigation, constitutional law, Aboriginal law, education law, health law, professional regulation and administrative law, and class actions.
In addition to her legal research and writing, Jennifer keeps our clients up to date on the most recent developments in the law and points of interest by publishing a number of articles throughout the year, including pieces for the Firm’s Thought Leadership publications. A past recipient of the CBA Nova Scotia Zöe Odei Young Lawyers Award, Jennifer is active both inside and outside of the legal community, volunteering her time to various social justice, equality and advocacy initiatives throughout the province.
Education & Career
Education
Osgoode Professional Development, Osgoode Hall Law School of York University – Certificate in Fundamentals of Aboriginal Law, 2015
University of Cambridge, Master of Law, 2011
Dalhousie University, Bachelor of Laws, 2008
Dalhousie University, Bachelor of Arts, Combined Honours in History and Political Science, 2005
Activities
Co-Instructor of LAWS 2297: Abortion Law Futures at the Schulich School of Law (Winter Term 2024)
Member of the Feminist Law Reform & Reproductive Rights Working Group, National Association of Women and the Law
Honourary Member at Large, CBA Women Lawyers Forum
Advisory Circle Member, The Fireweed Project
Accolades
Recipient, CBA Nova Scotia Zöe Odei Young Lawyers Award, 2016
Thought Leadership
Cap or no cap? Court of Appeal confirms damages are substantive law in interprovincial tort claims
November 12, 2024
Supreme Court of Canada denies leave to appeal of Alberta ruling on post-death life insurance conversion (Part II)
August 15, 2024
Supreme Court of Canada denies leave to appeal of Alberta ruling on post-death life insurance conversion
August 13, 2024
“Sale” away: The SCC’s more flexible approach to exclusion clauses in contracts for the sale of goods
July 09, 2024
When closed doors make sense: Court dismisses challenge to university board’s procedure for in camera discussions
May 11, 2023
Discovery: Atlantic Education & the Law – Issue 12
April 28, 2023
Does academic freedom protect professors who spread COVID-19 misinformation on social media?
July 12, 2022
Discovery: Atlantic Education & the Law – Issue 10
June 24, 2022
Discovering a Denial: Recent Ontario decision sheds light on discoverability of claims against LTD insurers
June 03, 2022
Evaluating the risks of a CAUT censure
November 30, 2021
Discovery: Atlantic Education & the Law – Issue 09
November 22, 2021
The “dominant tide” comes in: cooperative federalism in the Reference re Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act
April 05, 2021
Game over for waiver of tort
July 27, 2020
Richards Estate sets the limits on actions against LTD insurers
February 27, 2020
Express yourself … but maybe not on your license plate: The NSSC decision in Grabher
February 06, 2020
The spies who saved judicial review: The top 10 takeaways from Vavilov
December 20, 2019
Not a “token gesture”: Nova Scotia Court of Appeal confirms deductibility of future CPP disability benefits from tort damages
January 18, 2019
Client Update: Limitation periods & denial of LTD benefits: the NSSC decision in Cameron
May 09, 2018
Statutory interpretation & social justice
November 14, 2017
Adoption & access to justice: Judge erred in making “self-directed constitutional reference” in adoption case
August 28, 2017
Knowing your limitations: a new NS case on limitation periods
August 17, 2017
Nothing fishy here: Federal Court dismisses application for judicial review in PIIFCAF case
May 18, 2017
A window on interpreting insurance contracts: Top 10 points from Ledcor Construction
September 23, 2016
Good Faith Fisheries: New case on Crown consultation & regulation of Aboriginal fisheries
March 22, 2016
The Labour Relations of First Nations’ Fisheries: Who gets to decide?
February 02, 2016
Striking down the Nova Scotia Cyber-safety Act: The 10 most interesting things about Crouch v Snell
December 16, 2015
Forsythe v Westfall: Forum of Necessity & Access to Justice
December 01, 2015
The Fair Elections Act and #elxn42: A summary of Council of Canadians v Canada (Attorney General)
October 15, 2015
Publications
“Abortion is constitutional right and, unfortunately, an election issue”, Canadian Lawyer
September 23, 2019
“The power of law”, The Lawyer’s Daily
May 30, 2019
“Importance of political friendship”, The Lawyer’s Daily
March 08, 2019