Canadian Lawyer InHouse

17 CANADIANLAWYERMAG.COM/INHOUSE JULY/AUGUST 2019 rightfully stick to the same formality and structure we are accustomed to in private practice. Over time, however, this can become a hindrance in gaining the trust of the business people in being known as the "deal breaker" and person that says "no" to most everything. There is also a reluctance after completing law school, bar exams and years at a firm to suddenly feel like more learning and training are required. I spoke to Montreal-based Mitch Gar- ber, a former lawyer who is the CEO of Caesars Interactive and chairman of Cirque du Soleil, who touched upon this. "In- house lawyers can take two paths — being the pure in-house counsel (usually known as the person who says 'no' to everything) or being the pragmatic lawyer who takes an interest in the actual business and the people running it and is seen to look for solutions while protecting the company," he says. "Having the respect of peers, as someone who truly understands the busi- ness and its competitors, is key." Apart from being part of higher-level decisions that are not purely legal, this is the first step to being considered more than an "asset" with one set of skills and some- one capable of moving into the higher seat. This includes understanding the business beyond the legal department and taking a keen interest in all areas so as to contribute when the opportunity presents itself to demonstrate one's abilities. Seeing the big picture In 2010, I became a shareholder of the company and was on the ground floor in building some of our most successful ven- tures, including Valnet, a web publishing company, and Valsoft, a vertical market software company. I have advised on every- thing from accounting issues to hiring top talent to understanding market expec- tations of both the web publishing and software business. Priorities also changed: Rather than justifying a larger legal spend, I was negotiating flat rates with firms, keeping on eye on our bottom line and the proverbial bigger picture. Expanding the legal team was not focused on surround- ing myself with point persons for specific tasks but creating an efficient independent department where part of my time could be spent on bringing value to the company as a whole. This did not come easily, as I spent many nights understanding our verticals, financial lingo and what drives revenue for our business. A GC is a central figure in most high- level decisions and transactions with the business people. If used properly, they can should go from highlighting the unfeasi- bility of decisions to absorbing and learn- ing the intricacies of the business and its strategy. IH THE POWER OF PERSISTENCE: MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LITIGATION No matter how challenging, complex or costly the case may be, we will not stop in our pursuit of justice. READ HOW SOME OF OUR CASES ARE ADVANCING THE LAW: Surujdeo (2017 ONCA 41), and Stirrett (2018 ONSC 2595). 2019-20 TOP 10 Personal Injury BOUTIQUE C A N A D I A N L AW Y E R M A G A Z I N E 2019-20 TOP 10 Personal Injury BOUTIQUE 416-599-1700 | BOGOROCH.COM REFERRALS HONOURED AND APPRECIATED 150 KING STREET WEST, SUITE 1901 TORONTO, ONTARIO M5H 1J9

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