TEP327/1327H1 S - Engineering & Law

Course description: Students will understand the basics of contract and tort law enabling them to research case law and analyse fact situations relevant to their practices. They will develop an understanding of the complexity of legal concerns facing any engineer, permitting them to better evaluate the risks and responsibilities of their work. Given that students may develop or handle proprietary knowledge, we will discuss in brief trademarks and copyright. In addition to analysis of fact situations, they will also, in teams, negotiate contracts to simulate an actual working relationship and learn about dispute resolution techniques such as mediation and arbitration in mock scenarios. Students will learn about the implications and responsibilities of acting as an expert and practice their analytical writing skills by drafting an expert report in a mock situation relevant to their studies. A mock trial will expose them to examples of cross examination of experts and trial strategy. Lastly, students will learn about ethical responsibilities of engineers and the PEO disciplinary regime and be exposed to the role of insurance as it affects engineers, including errors and omissions and general liability.

Posting end date: July 17, 2026

Number of Positions (est.): One (1) position

Estimated TA support: 100 hours

Estimated course enrolment: Up to 85 students

Class schedule: Wednesday 6-9pm

Sessional dates of appointment: January 1, 2027 to April 30, 2027

Hours: 1 HCE (up to a maximum of 230 hrs)

Salary: CUPE minimum salary rates for a half course (HCE), inclusive of vacation pay, are: Sessional Lecturer 1 - $9,997.47; Sessional Lecturer 1 Long Term - $10,699.22; Sessional Lecturer 2 - $10,699.22; Sessional Lecturer 2 Long Term - $10,953.96; Sessional Lecturer 3 - $10,953.96 and Sessional Lecturer 3 Long Term - $11,212.15. Should rates stipulated in the Collective Agreement vary from rates  stated in this posting, the rates  stated in the Collective Agreement shall prevail.

Minimum Qualifications: Currently, and with at least 15 years’ experience, practicing law, with an emphasis on professional liability defending engineers, errors and omissions insurance, products liability, general liability, and environmental liability as well as experience in class actions and multiple jurisdiction actions. Experience lecturing and writing about these areas. Must be a member of the Law Society of Ontario.

Preferred Qualifications: Undergraduate degree in science or engineering; experience teaching or mentoring young professionals.

Description of duties: 

• Develop course curriculum, including all lectures, course reading materials, activities (including case reviews, simulations and dispute resolution scenarios) and assessment tools. 

• Include additional assessment and feedback for graduate students taking the course as TEP1327

• Supervise TA in running classroom activities and grading. 

• Liaise with Associate Directors of ISTEP and other engineering faculty in development and delivery of course.

• Ability to convert to online duties if required.

• Preparation and grading of a deferred examination may also be required.

Application Procedure: Applicants should submit:

• Application documents must be submitted via the link found in the application form in one (1) file.

If during the application and/or selection process you require accommodation due to a disability, please contact Chanelle Small-Reid at View email address on jobs.utoronto.ca.

This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement. 

It is understood that some announcements of vacancies are tentative, pending final course determinations and enrolment. Should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.  

Preference in hiring is given to qualified individuals advanced to the rank of Sessional Lecturer II or Sessional Lecturer III in accordance with Article 14:12 of the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 collective agreement.

Please note: Undergraduate or graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of the University of Toronto are covered by the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 collective agreement rather than the Unit 3 collective agreement, and should not apply for positions posted under the Unit 3 collective agreement.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.