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MANAGING PARTNER A woman takes the reins at Parlee McLaws I BY GAIL J . COHEN n February, Jerri Cairns became managing partner of Alberta-based Parlee McLaws LLP. At 47, she is the first woman to head a large Alberta law firm. Founded over a century ago, the firm has 110 lawyers in its Calgary and Edmonton offices. Cairns, who practises insur- ance litigation, has been involved with the firm's advisory committee since 2004 and sees a bright future for the firm in Alberta's hot economy. Q I am proud to have been elected managing partner of our fi rm and proud that our fi rm partnership has elected a woman to such a signifi cant position for the fi rm. I am aware that there are only a very few women manag- ing partners of large law fi rms in Canada and believe this is an important step, not only for our fi rm, but also for women in law and, for that matter, in all areas of business. I do feel that it's more an issue of hard work and integrity than gender. Q My election as managing partner shows that women are advancing within law fi rms to levels where they will now lead a fi rm in its business decisions, including management of the profes- sionals in the fi rm and management of its business and growth. Women are ad- vancing in all businesses more so than in the past, and that's refl ected in the num- ber of women in senior roles. Q Our fi rm has one managing part- ner who is elected by the partners for a three-year term. There are 49 part- ners who can vote. I was elected by my partners in late January 2008 and took offi ce on Feb. 15, 2008. We also have an advisory committee comprised of six members. The managing partner is automatically one of those six advisory committee members. The advisors are also elected. The managing partner has certain duties including overall leader- ship of the fi rm. The advisory commit- tee also has certain specifi ed duties for which it is responsible to the fi rm. There are also various practice groups, each with a practice group leader. And we have a COO (Terry Tomkins) who looks after the fi nancial matters. Q XXXXXXXXXXXXXX I will continue to practise while I act as managing partner. There will be some duties devolved to practice group leaders and the advisory commit- tee. Our fi rm had two managing partners at one stage, but, with a COO, we're in a position where we can have the manag- ing partner maintaining a practice. And at my age group, many lawyers don't want to get completely out of practice for any length of time. Q I see the strong Alberta economy continuing to drive growth in our fi rm as well as the very talented young lawyers we have. We commit signifi cant time and effort to hiring our young lawyers and then training and mentor- ing them to ensure professional excel- lence and exceptional client service, as well as with a view to having a happy and committed professional as part of our team. Our focus is on teamwork within our fi rm. I expect we will also grow some based on client needs. Q One of the challenges we face in- cludes acquiring and retaining legal talent. This is an issue for fi rms www. C ANADIAN Jerri Cairns across the country but particularly so in the "hot" economy in Alberta. Another challenge is to manage and promote growth in the areas of practice that our fi rm focuses on. As with any law fi rm, increasing profi tability is a challenge to be faced and addressed as well. Q Q As to expansion beyond Alberta, our fi rm is always open to oppor- tunities that make business sense for our lawyers and our clients. We review this on an ongoing basis. Alberta has been booming for a number of years and the forecast is to keep doing well. I see that strong economy as continuing to drive demand for sophis- ticated, effective, and practical legal advice to clients to assist them in their ongoing successes and business endeavours. Canadian Lawyer canadianlawyermag.com mag.com APRIL 2008 15 PHOTO: BRIAN HARDER