Wilfrid Laurier University has appointed Soussanna Karas as its new general counsel and lead for the Office of Legal Services and Fair Practices following a national search. She will officially join the university on June 1.
Karas brings more than two decades of experience as a legal counsel, with a strong track record of providing strategic advice, leading teams, and managing complex legal and regulatory matters across multiple sectors.
Most recently, Karas served as associate general counsel at the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). In this role, she led, supported and mentored a team of 60 legal professionals responsible for representing MPAC in assessment appeals, tax exemption applications and broader litigation matters. Her work also included advising on legal, ethical, policy and compliance considerations related to the adoption of artificial intelligence.
Prior to her time at MPAC, Karas was director of licensing and training and senior legal counsel at the Electrical Safety Authority. There, she oversaw the licensing framework and regulatory compliance for master electricians and electrical contractors, further strengthening her expertise in governance and regulatory systems.
In addition to her professional legal practice, Karas has maintained a strong connection to higher education through teaching and mentorship. She has taught information and privacy law at Ontario Tech University and contributed to the Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development certificate program at York University. She also serves as a trial advocacy advisor with the Law Practice Program at Toronto Metropolitan University, supporting the development of emerging legal professionals.
"We are thrilled to welcome Soussanna to Laurier," says Laurier President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah MacLatchy. "Her extensive legal experience and commitment to higher education will be a great addition to the senior leadership team."
Karas holds both an LLB and an LLM from Osgoode Hall Law School, along with international academic credentials in civil and private international law. She is also actively engaged in board and governance work, contributing her expertise to several organizations, including the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board and Orangeville Hydro.
