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CCCA_V3No1_Profiles-FIN.qxd:CCCA_V1No1_Profile-FIN.qxd 1/21/09 3:14 PM Page 43 Profile V ery few people are lucky enough to find just sheer scope and variety of businesses — which include wire- less communications, cable television, internet, telephony, one mentor with creativity and intelligence to radio and television, magazines, specialty programming servic- help guide their career. David Miller, senior vice-president, general counsel and secretary of Blue Jays baseball team), and ownership of the Rogers Centre Rogers Communications Inc.is grateful for the fact that he has es, televised home shopping, a sports franchise (the Toronto worked with a number of Canada’s great business leaders. in Toronto (formerly the SkyDome) — constantly present a Miller, who holds a Bachelor of Commerce and both Civil “whole host of new and novel legal issues,” he says. and Common Law Degrees from McGill University, practised “In my time at Rogers,I’ve gone from a one-person depart- at a law firm for several years before choosing to become a ment to a much larger department handling a huge diversity corporate counsel. In 1980, he joined the Toronto office of in the type of legal issues, including M & A work, securities, Lavalin Inc., one of the world’s largest international engineer- financings,labour law,commercial transactions,tax,IP and real ing and construction companies, reporting to its president and estate,”says Miller.“This is a very entrepreneurial company.It’s chief executive officer, Bernard Lamarre. important that my department stay abreast of so many issues, “It was a fascinating opportunity and learning experience,”he always be ahead of the curve.” recalls.For the next seven years,Miller,who went on to become Married, with two young daughters, Miller ensures that his general counsel of Lavalin and who has always had a zest for spare time revolves around his family. Evenings are spent help- travel,adventure and challenge,often took to the road.He nego- ing his children with their homework, planning family excur- tiated deals all over the world, spending a lot of time in Russia, sions and often taking a 45-minute walk with the family dog. Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Belgium, France, An avid reader who describes himself as “fussy about writ- Austria, and all over the U.S., including Alaska. ing style,” Miller’s taste is eclectic, but often tends toward clas- On one occasion,Miller went to Nigeria for a month,came sic books: recently, he reread Around the World in Eighty Days back to Toronto, and two weeks later went to Germany to by JulesVerne. negotiate a large gas processing contract with the Soviet gov- As a reader and lawyer, he has delved through almost all the ernment. The international law practice was fascinating, but it novels by R. Austin Freeman (published from 1907 till the also allowed him to interact and learn from senior-ranking mid-1940s) featuring the medico-legal forensic investigator government and business professionals. Dr.Thorndyke. Freeman invented the inverted detective story, As much as Miller enjoyed the intellectual challenges and cor- familiar today to watchers of the Law & Order television series. Rogers Communications’ general counsel learned from one of the best. porate culture of Lavalin,the travel became wearying.Seeking a For Miller, the future feels full of the promise of intriguing, position that would allow him to spend time in his home base challenging,fascinating files.“Rogers is a very special place,full ofToronto,Miller explored opportunities,and in 1987 signed on of bright, solution-oriented individuals.The more sophisticat- as the first-ever general counsel at Rogers Communications Inc. ed the people around you are in terms of legal and business It was there that Miller met the late Ted Rogers, who was issues, the more you learn. to be Miller’s prime mentor.“How many people get to work “As an in-house counsel, you live the company’s problems very closely for over 20 years with one of Canada’s greatest and the opportunities,”says Miller.“You are paid first and fore- business leaders?” he asks. most for your legal advice and knowledge of the law. But at For many years, the law department at Rogers remained the same time, you want to come up with creative solutions tiny,just a handful of lawyers.Today,the 17-lawyer department that don’t expose the company to greater risk, and further, PAUL EEKHOFF is still relatively small,considering the company’s extensive and helps the company accomplish its goals.” differing business activities, says Miller. Although many of Rogers’activities are complementary,the Bev Cline is a history, legal and business writer in Toronto. PRINTEMPS 2009 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association 43