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60-SECOND same time ensuring we're not perceived to be manipulating the decision-makers of a customer, supplier, or government official." Trecroce earned his law degree from McGill University in Montreal, and went on to get a bachelor's degree in international relations at Concordia University. Originally, he thought he wanted to be a litigation lawyer. In 1981, he moved to Alberta to article with Edmonton-based Parlee McLaws LLP and practised there for three years. During that time, he made a discovery: as he was working on a file that had dragged on for 14 years, he wondered why someone hadn't already resolved the dispute. "I realized I wasn't well suited for litigation and litigation wasn't well suited for me because I didn't enjoy the adversarial process," says Trecroce. "I learned I was more of a dispute-resolution person." He moved into the corporate department, where he found resolutions to standing issues. At that point, he decided to move to Toronto and joined Fraser Milner SNAPSHOT THE LAWYER: Riccardo Trecroce THE COMPANY: Magna International • Trecroce studied law at McGill University in Montreal and articled at Parlee McLaws LLP in Edmonton • He was called to the Alberta bar in 1982 and the Ontario bar in 1986 • After working in private practice for almost 20 years, he moved in-house with Patheon, building a law practice and eventually becoming CEO • At Magna, he's responsible for a global law practice spanning North America, South America, and Asia • He is involved with the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association general counsel outside Canada, since many of his clients were international. In 2000, he moved in-house for the first time as general counsel with Patheon. "I was their first lawyer," says Trecroce. "I got to establish a law department — they didn't even have a filing system when I arrived. It was very different from being in a big downtown law firm where people deliver coffee in nice china to working at a plant. Our corporate offices at the time were right beside the plant and it was roll-up-your-sleeves and start building a department." The experience at Patheon building a law department from scratch to nine lawyers in the Americas and Europe, and then moving on to become CEO — suited his personality far more than litigation. At Magna, his job is focused on helping Casgrain LLP for about 15 years, mostly doing corporate and M&A work. At FMC, he had the opportunity to interact with colleagues work through business issues, and that's what he enjoys doing. "I'm talking to people around the world all the time," says Trecroce. "It's intellectually stimulating, and every day is different from the other." IH Employment and Labour Lawyers Experience Counts. Referrals respected and appreciated. Shields O'Donnell MacKillop LLP 416.304.6400 65 Queen Street W, Suite 1800, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5H 2M5 Shields_IH_Apr_11.indd 1 INHOUSE DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 • 3/1/11 10:04:56 AM 43