Richard Sinclair

General Counsel

• 607 Pigiarvik, Carleton University
• 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6
• Email Richard Sinclair
• 613-520-2600 ext 4479

Richard Sinclair is General Counsel and leads the Legal Services and Privacy Office at Carleton University. He oversees all legal, regulatory, and privacy matters affecting the institution, provides strategic advice to senior leadership, and supports the University’s academic, research, and administrative functions.

Richard has over 20 years of legal experience, including more than a decade in the broader public sector. His work focuses on labour and employment matters, governance and policy development, regulatory compliance, privacy and access to information, risk management, and dispute resolution. He regularly advises on workplace issues, collective bargaining, and institutional risk, with an emphasis on aligning the provision of legal services with the University’s strategic objectives.

Prior to joining Carleton University, Richard served as General Counsel at the Ottawa‑Carleton District School Board, where he led the legal, privacy, and risk management functions for one of Ontario’s largest school boards. He is known for providing practical, solutions‑oriented advice in complex and evolving organizational environments.

Richard holds law degrees (LL.B., LL.L.) from the University of Ottawa and a Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University. He is a member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.