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36 www.canadianlawyermag.com FEATURE IN-HOUSE PROFILES Best of in-house interviews Our sister publication, Lexpert, profiles in-house counsel regularly online at lexpert.ca/news/in-house-lawyers. Below is a selection of profiles featured by Lexpert in 2024. SHARON HAWARD-LAIRD COMPANY: BMO Financial Group TITLE: General counsel BMO champions sustainable growth and aims to promote job creation in the clean energy sector and be client-led Three-quarters of Canadians are concerned about climate change, with young adults lead- ing the charge. In response, BMO has developed a comprehensive strategy to support the transition to a low-carbon economy, led by general counsel Sharon Haward-Laird. "We set our Climate Ambition in 2021 to be our clients' lead partner in the transition to a net-zero world," says Haward-Laird. BMO supports clients as they navigate the shift themselves. Key initiatives include an energy transition advisory, a sustainable finance business, and a carbon credit origination and trading platform, all backed by BMO's Climate Institute. The Institute serves as a resource on decarbon- ization, resilience, and biodiversity, while also engaging clients, industry, and the public sector. BMO has also trained its Commercial Bank relationship managers to help clients manage the risks and opportunities in a changing economy. The Climate Institute is a hub for BMO's climate efforts and a platform for thought leadership. Supporting clients through financing, advice, and capacity building is crucial to helping them meet sustainability goals and fostering economic growth. BMO's approach ensures an inclusive transition. "We aim to support a transition that does not disadvantage equity-seeking groups," Haward-Laird explains, highlighting the importance of consulting Indigenous and marginalized communities. In partnership with the Canada Infrastructure Bank, BMO has also launched a commercial real estate retrofits program to finance energy-efficient building upgrades. BMO's focus on fostering new industries, job creation, and sustainable technologies aligns with its mission to "Boldly Grow the Good."