Canadian Lawyer

25 in-house Counsel TOP THE MOST INFLUENTIAL FReD heaDon Grant Borbridge assistant GeneraL CoUnseL, LaBoUr and emPLoyment, air Canada, montreaL exeCUtive viCe President investments and Chief CoUnseL, emerGo GroUP of ComPanies, CaLGary Fred Headon is changing dynamics as the first in-house lawyer to be elected president of the Canadian Bar association, a position he'll be assuming this month. Headon heads the in-house labour and employment law team at air Canada and brings a unique perspective to the association, traditionally led by private practice lawyers. at the helm of the CBa Legal Futures Initiative, he is a leading voice in the push for changes to the profession given the new realities of today's legal market. as corporate counsel, he will bring a certain sensitivity to the pressures and expectations of both private practitioners and their clients. "Lead the change, or be forced to follow," he has said about the profession. "Change is happening. It may not be happening everywhere at once, and it may not affect everyone to the same degree, but to ignore it could very well be folly." Under Grant Borbridge's leadership this past year, the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association, together with the Rotman School of Management, introduced a first-of-its-kind certification program for in-house counsel, which will be geared towards mid-level in-house lawyers who are aiming to become general counsel or business executives. In his day job, Borbridge is responsible for Emergo Group's worldwide legal and compliance activities, a member of its Global Portfolio Investment Committee, and co-leader of its transactions team. He is also the current chairman of the Association of General Counsel of Alberta. What voters had to say: "Very much looking forward to Fred's upcoming year as our CBA national president; his perspective transcends his in-house counsel world and there's no doubt he will be an effective advocate for lawyers and the rule of law in 2013-14. What the panel had to say: "Grant gives 150 per cent to everything he does." www.CANADIAN L a w ye r m a g . c o m august 2013 35

• Cover