A record dated September 9, 2026, obtained through an access-to-information request, shows that Memorial University was billed $126,583.26 for legal services provided by Stewart McKelvey and McInnes Cooper between April and August 2026.
Of that amount, Stewart McKelvey billed $31,727.26, while McInnes Cooper billed $94,856.
Stewart McKelvey provided legal services involving judicial reviews, student appeals, labour relations, human rights matters, a restitution order payment, an annual audit, an appeal of endorsement, a vexatious litigant matter, and the Ad Hoc Committee of the President.
The lawyers identified in the record were Ruth Trask, Koren Thomson, Josh Merrigan, Stephen Penney, Sian Evans, Dana Constantine, and Maureen Ryan.
McInnes Cooper provided legal services involving human rights matters, immigration advice, appeals of endorsements, a group grievance, an audit request, and labour relations.
The lawyers identified in the record were Darren Stratton, Meghan Felt, and John O’Dea.
The billing period coincided with a new round of collective bargaining involving Memorial University and its five employee unions.
By comparison, the same two law firms billed Memorial University $180,935.89 between June 2025 and March 2026, a period nearly twice as long.
View the ATIPP file below:
Matt Barter is a graduate of the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, holding a degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, taking walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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