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CCCA_V2No2_Profiles-FIN.qxd:CCCA_V1No1_Profile-FIN.qxd 4/30/08 4:12 PM Page 55 Profile f Kenneth Bagshaw could have front row seats to any negotiated the firm’s merger with four other large firms across Winter Olympics event, he’d pick two: men’s ice sledge Canada to create Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. Ihockey in the Paralympic Games, and the Olympic At BLG, Bagshaw practised mainly in the areas of corporate women’s hockey finals — preferably, of course, with the and commercial law, corporate mergers and acquisitions, and Canadian team contending. government relations.As principal outside legal advisor to the “I watched the women’s finals in [the Torino Olympic EXPO 86 Corporation, he’s no stranger to the intricacies that Games of 2006],” he says, “and it is still the best example of go into pulling off large-scale events, but in terms of scale, he teamwork and passion I’ve ever seen.” says,“Expo was infinitesimal compared to the Games.” The words teamwork and passion come up a lot when In accordance with BLG policy, Bagshaw retired from the Bagshaw gets going on his role at the Vancouver Organizing firm at the age of 65. He wound up his practice on a Friday Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter afternoon in November 2004 — and started work atVANOC Games (VANOC).As Chief Legal Officer,he manages a hand- the following Monday morning. picked team of eight lawyers,plus consultants,support staff,and In many ways, he says, the two jobs are similar, not least outside counsel,as they negotiate the staggering array of details because he has transplanted many of the approaches that suc- that go into putting on the Games. ceeded at his former practice to VANOC. He’s incredibly “It’s really exciting,energizing,exhilarating,”says Bagshaw of proud of the team of lawyers he has recruited,several of whom his role.“It’s bigger than I thought it would be, and the sheer have come from leading Vancouver law firms; others volun- scale of it is sometimes daunting.” teered withVancouver's Olympic bid. Bagshaw’s Olympic legal team operates like a small generalist “We have built up a team-based operation, where we support boutique,with a strong bent toward cor- each other, where we treat all the other functions inVANOC as “ job is to make given week, the depart- strong and trusted relationships with those clients.The biggest dif- porate/commercial work. In a our clients,” says Bagshaw. “And we work hard trying to build Our ment might handle a ference, I suppose, is I’ve successfully parked the laborious exer- cise of timekeeping and billing.And that alone is so refreshing.” dozen or more differ- sure that we create a Bagshaw also clearly enjoys the chance to add value to ent areas of law as it situation that allows every confines of outside legal counsel.And while he routinely works tude of contracts, athlete to excel.And if we do negotiates a multi- VANOC as part of senior management, moving beyond the strategizes revenue 12-hour days — and probably will until the Games’ closing it right, we will do something streams, protects ceremonies — he says it keeps him young. very important for the and licenses the “People are passionate, excited to be here,” Bagshaw says. athletes and for the Games’ intellectual “The average age is under 30, and we have quite a few property and trade- ” estate transactions and venue lete to excel.And if we do it right, we will do something very country. marks, and oversees real Olympians on staff.Their drive is hugely motivating. Our job is to make sure that we create a situation that allows every ath- construction (and the resulting important for the athletes and for the country.” implications for aboriginal law, rights over Crown land, munici- And what about after the Games? Like a gold-medal athlete palities, and the environment). on the podium, it’s clear that Bagshaw is at a high point in his There are employees (not to mention thousands of volun- career.What’s next? Can anything top the Olympics? teers) to be hired and trained,suppliers to procure,security and “I’ll probably take that retirement I promised myself earlier,” protocol to be upheld, sponsors to woo, proposals to request, he says.He plans to spend time with his wife,Conny Filletti,and government and international relations to maintain, and, most take advantage of some free time to pursue the passions he has- importantly, athletes to support — and all of it is somehow fil- n’t had much time for recently:travel,getting to the cottage,out- tered through the VANOC legal team. No wonder Bagshaw door photography, and the couple’s twoWest Highland terriers. describes the Games as “the largest peacetime undertaking in But for now,there are the Games to put on,and that’s where Canadian history.” Bagshaw’s focus lies. “I’m essentially pursuing the dream job: It’s also the pinnacle of a 40-year legal career that started with building a strong team and making sure that we do our part to — fittingly — a gold medal, awarded to Bagshaw for graduat- put on the best Olympic and Paralympic games,”he says.“I am ROBERT KARPA Ladner Downs,and never left.In 2000,he was on the team that such a lucky individual. I never forget that.” ing at the top of his class at the University of British Columbia law school in 1964. Bagshaw articled at the venerable law firm Susan Goldberg is a freelance writer based in Thunder Bay. ÉtÉ 2008 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association 55