Canadian Lawyer

COMPLIANCE AND REGULATORY LAW ance particularly marketable. In her field, Sharon Geraghty says Investment Canada and the Competition Bureau are taking a much closer look at transactions. "There is a lot more focus on regulatory approvals. We're seeing that across the board in Canada, in a way we didn't in the past, so that plays a much more significant role in the work we do," she says. John Ohnjec of Robert Half says in-house law- W yers place a premium on backgrounds in compliance and regulatory law, and that law firms are follow- ing their clients, favouring associates with similar experience. "Corporate employers value lawyers with three or more years of experience who possess a working knowledge of statutory and regulatory structures of the government process by which regulations are enforced. They seek lawyers who can develop compliance policies so that the company adheres to laws, regulations, policies, and standards at both the municipal and government level," he says. With an ever-changing regulatory environment, "ensuring a business is operating within established policies and standards can be an ongoing and challenging task, which is why compliance lawyers remain so valuable," says Ohnjec. And it's not just close to home where scrutiny is increasing. John Boscariol, the head of the interna- tional trade and investment law group at McCarthy Tétrault, advises clients on compliance with economic sanctions, international trade agreements, and anti- bribery laws. He helps clients with "compliance convergence," bringing together the compliance function across a number of different issues. "The same tools you use for anti-corruption practices to do background checks on agents that are representing you in another country, can be used to make sure you're complying with economic sanctions," he says. "Companies are starting to understand that a lot of these regulatory compliance issues can be dealt with in a similar fashion using similar tools internally, and realizing efficiencies from doing that, rather than operating separate silos within an organization." He says companies are increasingly concerned about complying with international trade regula- tions because of the reputational damage a breach can cause. "With the Arab Spring, we saw so many dictators overthrown and when that happens, a light gets shone on all the previous dealings with those dictators. That can put you in a pretty difficult posi- tion reputationally," says Boscariol. ith companies under the increasing pressure of regulations, lawyers are finding experience in compli- Richness is: You define richness. With the Scotia Professional® Plan, we can help with the money part. You've worked long and hard to build your career. It only makes sense to do everything you can to ensure your continued success, both professionally and personally. The Professional Plan is a fully customized banking package designed to help you build a strong, profitable business while ensuring your personal finances receive the attention they deserve. Which is a solution that makes your life a whole lot easier. To learn more about Scotia Professional Plan, visit your nearest Scotiabank branch or visit scotiabank.com/professional today. ® Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia. ® Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia. www.CANADIAN Lawyermag.com JUNE 2012 31 cotiabank_CL_Apr_12.indd 1 12-03-02 11:14 AM

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