This program contains 3.0 hours and 20 minutes of Professionalism and 1.0 hour and 20 minutes of EDI Professionalism content by the Law Society of Ontario.
This program has been approved for 6.0 hours by the Law Society of British Columbia and may be applied towards the mandatory 12 hour Continuing Professional Development requirement in BC.
Registration and virtual orientation
Welcome remarks
Kenyah Coombs
Conference Producer, Key Media
Keynote opening address
As many organizations are committed to creating diverse and inclusive spaces, it is important to implement strategies that promote both strong recruiting practices and nurturing existing talent. In his keynote address, Raphael will encourage in-house counsel, as leaders, to think holistically about improving the diversity and inclusion within their team, contributing to the overall success of their organization.
Raphael Tachie
Senior Counsel, Estates & Wills at TD and President at Canadian Assocation of Black Lawyers
Panel: Change management: How has the role of in-house lawyers changed during the pandemic?
The pandemic has changed how and where we work in such a short period of time, and it's essential that in-house legal departments are able to manage this evolving workplace effectively. This session will feature industry leaders sharing strategies for maintaining resilience and agility that have allowed them to continue to flourish as they look to the post-pandemic era.
- How have the duties and responsibilities of in-house counsel evolved through the course of the pandemic and how can they ensure they're prepared for another crisis?
- How are in-house departments adapting to growing or rebuilding their business through resilient and agile strategies?
- How can in-house lawyers create stable systems amid constant change?
Kenyah Coombs
Conference Producer, Key Media
Panelists:
Andrea Wood
Chief Legal and Governance Officer, Telus
Sue-Lynn Noel
VP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Purolator
Elisabeth Demone
VP Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary, Symcor
Michael Paris
Executive Director, Legal Counsel & Chief Privacy Officer, Cineplex
Strategies for mitigating IP risks
Today’s competitive innovation economy poses potential intellectual property risks. Whether it’s infringement of patented technology, unlawful use of trademarks and copyright, or another IP crime, in-house counsel must be ready to combat any IP issues that may arise. In this session, IP experts will share practical insights from the front lines of IP enforcement and litigation matters.
- Discuss how to protect your trademarks and copyright by monitoring your brand online
- Understand your market and IP risks to protect your patented technology
- Examine offensive and defensive IP strategies for commercial gains and benefits
Ryan Evans
Counsel, Smart & Biggar LLP
Practical ideas to manage compliance and regulatory overload
There has been an increased global commitment to compliance and regulatory standards. In-house counsel must implement strategies that incorporate the 5 Ps: prepare, prevent, protect, practice and pivot. In this session, respected legal department leaders will discuss key strategies to maintain compliance.
- How have the increased global efforts to increase compliance impacted your role?
- What internal procedures can be implemented?
- What are the resources we need to be aware of that help ensure compliance?
Jennifer Jobanputra
Senior Director, Compliance & Ethics, Loblaw Companies Limited
Charlene Ripley
Executive Vice-President and General Counsel, SNC-Lavalin
Lunch break
Panel: Managing your EDI risk: How in-house counsel can help respond to the demands of societal change
This year, we have recognized and acknowledged areas of improvement in our society and called for a commitment to change. It's important to have candid conversations about how we can create diverse and inclusive spaces. In this session, leaders will discuss initiatives that have helped address demands for more inclusive spaces in the workplace.
- How have rapid social changes exposed organizations to EDI risk?
- Discuss the nuances of internal conversations with your executive
- Strategies that can best support employees during times of social change
Moderator:
Brea Hutchinson
Acting Executive Director, LEAF
Panelists:
Rustam Juma
General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, Privacy Officer, Eckler Ltd
Sunita Mahant
Head of Global Initiatives, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Sr. Director, Legal Affairs, Ivanhoé Cambridge
Hina Latif
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Canada Corporation
A guide to managing a multigenerational workforce
As the workforce becomes more and more diverse, adjustments are needed to manage its dynamics. It has also been acknowledged that a growing number of people are experiencing burnout as they try to balance their work and home responsibilities. In this session, select leaders discuss key insights into managing a diverse workforce, and how to best balance this tipping scale of responsibilities.
- What are some of the challenges of a multigenerational workforce?
- Increased turnover and the loss of corporate knowledge
- Addressing employee burnout and increased stress loads
Kara Hardin
Principal & Registered Psychologist, Kara Hardin Mental Health Consulting & Clinical Counselling
Marcus Sixta
Founder, Family Lawyer & Mediator, Crossroads Law & Coach My Case
Networking break
Breakout session: From lawyer to leader
Brought to you by:
Over the years, in-house counsel have evolved from solely practicing law to being a part of a business system, leading teams and being a part of the C-suite. This transition is accompanied by factors such as imposter syndrome and strategic, innovative leadership that needs to be considered. Join for an in-depth discussion with senior experts on the transition from lawyer to leader.
Bindu Cudjoe
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Legal, Compliance & Investigations Group, Canadian Western Bank
Christine Holmes
CEO & Founder, Lawyersinhouse.com
Panel: How to become a savvier tech buyer in your next software pitch
Over the last year and a half, remote work has become the norm, as well as more flexible options for working with clients. There are a variety of tools on the market, but which are best for you and your team? In this session, hear insights from legal tech gurus on how to choose legal tech for your law department
- How has the pandemic impacted the need for legal tech?
- What are the factors we should consider when purchasing legal tech?
- How do we manage clients' expectations?
Moderator:
Peter Nguyen
SVP Legal Associate General Counsel, Descartes
Panelists:
Marlon Hylton
CEO, Innov8
Ron Lo
General Counsel, Symend
Litigation risk: What are the trends in-house counsel need to know about?
In 2020, as a result of COVID-19, many corporations experienced some change to the volume of disputes they had to manage. This trend is expected to continue post-pandemic, and it will be essential that in-house counsel implement preventative measures to help mitigate against a rise in disputes. In this session, legal leaders discuss how to prepare for this expected increase in disputes.
- Has the pandemic increased the number of commercial and labour disputes?
- Are cybersecurity and data protection still of high concern?
- Crucial preventative measures that can mitigate risk
Lorne O’Reilly
Lead Counsel, Dow Canada