Canadian Lawyer InHouse

JANUARY 2017 14 INHOUSE anya Rothe has had an interesting path on the journey D-Wave Systems has taken in its evolution over the last decade, forging ahead with its fi rst-of-a-kind quantum computing technology. In a very unassuming building in Burnaby, B.C., Rothe goes to work each day knowing she is helping the high-tech company secure deals for its bleeding-edge developments. So far, the sales are few but mighty. One of D-Wave's systems is currently being used at NASA and Google is a customer, too. From intellectual property issues to negotiations with customers to sell a system or setting up classifi ed government contracts, Rothe is involved, often at the very early stages right up to the point of deal signing. She also helps them identify what inventions should be protected, even when the scientists don't even think it's something ready to lock down. Since she joined the company in 2005, the D-Wave management team and staff have found her to be instrumental in assisting in interpreting the technology on both the legal and business side of the work being done. Having the proximity she does to the business has enabled her to bring much of the intellectual property matters in-house, saving the company time and money but also developing a centre of expertise many companies of its complexity don't enjoy with their legal departments. What's interesting about Rothe and the three other in-house counsel we are profi ling this year in our View 2017 series is just how much they have become conduits to innovation both inside and outside their companies. Both Maurizio Romano of Janssen and Matthew Snell of IBM now fi nd themselves as advisers to startup organizations who, yes, may benefi t from the advice provided through Janssen and IBM, but they are also encouraged to push forward based on the knowledge both of them bring to the external consultation process. Four years ago when we did the fi rst View series in conjunction with Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP, we looked at what issues were top of mind for a cross-section of general counsel across Canada and in a variety of sectors. Then and in the years since, we have examined how regulatory and compliance matters have dominated the work agenda, along with pending transactions and the evolution of the role of in-house and the relationship with external counsel. This year, acknowledging that many in-house counsel have really evolved beyond their legal departments to not only working alongside business day to day but also the fact they are increasingly being called on to help companies innovate for the future, we conducted interviews with four general counsel about what their role has become in aiding innovation. For Katie Jamieson, head of legal at the extremely popular Herschel Supply Co. (if you don't know it, check the backpacks your kids' friends are carrying), the founders at her company have INNOVATI for the BUSI T BY JENNIFER BROWN

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