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Our People

We believe that our success is the product of the diverse ideas, experiences, and personalities that our employees bring to IO. Learn more about some of our employees, their roles, and the career paths that led them to IO.

Bilkish Overmeyer, Senior Legal Counsel, Corporate Legal Service

Bilkish Overmeyer

What is your career background? After completing my Bachelor of Law (LLB) and Master of Laws (LLM) degrees, I spent the initial two years of my career in court everyday, in trials and bail applications as a criminal defence lawyer in South Africa. My first in-house legal counsel role was at the offices of Lawyers for Human Rights – Refugee Rights Project. But it was in corporate and banking law that I found my niche. I spent approximately ten years as legal counsel and thereafter senior legal counsel at international banks including First National Bank and Barclays. After being called to the Ontario Bar, I practiced real estate law before joining IO.

What does your role entail? As Senior Legal Counsel in the Corporate Legal team, my role includes providing legal support and advice to the lending program clients who provide secured loans to eligible organisations. This includes conducting due diligence on potential loans, reviewing proposed real property and personal property security, providing legal support in the drafting and reviewing of term sheets and financing agreements, and managing transaction closings.

What drew you to join IO? I found the role I was applying for interesting. Based on the qualifications and experience required, I knew I would be able to add value to the role in IO, whilst also affording me the opportunity to learn and grow within my career.

What’s the most unique part of working at IO? To be able to see the impact that my work has on communities across the province of Ontario.