Karen Collins

Karen Collins is a law clerk in Gowling WLG’s Ottawa office, working in the Advocacy department. 

Since joining the firm in 2014, Karen has been specializing in Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) appeals. With over 25 years of experience in the SCC practice area, Karen liaises directly with clients to report on developments of their appeals, including calculating and monitoring deadlines. Karen also oversees the production of materials for filing with the SCC, which includes drafting and revising appeal materials in accordance with the rules and guidelines of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Karen has extensive knowledge and understanding of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Canada. She creates and maintains appeal hearing lists for the sessions of the Court (spring, fall and winter), and responds to inquiries from clients and from lawyers within the firm regarding requirements of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Canada. 

Karen regularly attends the SCC Registry office to file documents, rectify problems with existing documents, and liaise with Supreme Court Registry Officers. She is the primary point of contact with the SCC Registry office for all files handled by Gowling WLG’s service groups.  

Karen’s duties include:

• reviewing the s. 43 list produced by the SCC Registry
• reporting to lawyers in Gowling WLG’s Supreme Court of Canada Services Group, as well as directly to clients, regarding files referred to Court panels for review and consideration
• receiving calls from the Supreme Court Registry regarding dates for release of decisions;
• reporting to lawyers and to clients directly as to dates decisions are being released
• reporting to Attorneys General on constitutional questions and interventions
• maintaining a tickler system and master calendar for Supreme Court of Canada Service Group

Prior to joining Gowling WLG, Karen worked as a senior legal administrative assistant at an Ottawa law firm and as Supreme Court of Canada law clerk.