20 Under 40: Stephanie Marentette

Meet Stephanie Marentette, 36, associate senior counsel at Co-operators General Insurance Company and one of our 20 Under 40 Class of 2024 recipients

AS A LEGAL professional handling complex defense and subrogation matters, Stephanie Marentette guides cases from start to finish, combining meticulous attention to detail with a passion for excellence. Beyond her practice, she is deeply committed to community, serving on the St. Joseph’s Healthcare Board of Directors, chairing the London Transit Commission and volunteering for organizations like Anova and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Whether mentoring students, teaching ballet or driving creative legal solutions, she embraces every challenge in an open, collaborative and decisive manner.

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What would you say is your single biggest business achievement, and why?

I would say that my biggest achievement to date would be my trial experience. Only a very small percentage of cases proceed to a trial, and I have been lucky enough to have multiple, weeks-long Superior Court trials under my belt. Trial advocacy is my favourite part of my work, and I am very grateful for the opportunities I have had in this regard.

What about your biggest business obstacle, and how did you face it?

My biggest business obstacle was also my biggest life obstacle, which was surviving an abusive relationship with an addict. I am amazed to this day that I did not lose my career during that period in my life. Once I accepted the reality of the situation, I was able to take steps to extricate myself from it with the support of family — and friends who have become like family — and begin to heal and move forward. As awful as it was, surviving that situation has not only made me a very resilient person, but has also given me the gifts of gratitude, empathy and compassion. A large part of who I am today as a lawyer and a human is owed to my overcoming that.

What’s left for you to do — professionally or personally?

Personally: visit the remaining 152 countries I have not been to yet — I’ve travelled to 43 so far. Professionally: everything!

What books have you read recently that really stuck with you?

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang and Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg. I’m currently reading The Anxious Generation by Jonathon Haidt, which scares the heck out of me.

An old friend is coming to visit London — where are you taking them out to eat?

The Early Bird or The Bag Lady for breakfast, Mythic Grill for lunch, AnnDining or Taverna 1331 for dinner and Los Lobos for post-dinner spicy margaritas. Lucy’s or Joe Kools for a fun night out. Locomotive for the best coffee. Interview by Kieran Delamont