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CCCA_V4No1_Secondments-FIN.qxd:CCCA_V1No1_DriversSeat-FIN.qxd 2/3/10 11:59 AM Page 21 Cover legal issues in-house counsel deal with on a daily basis. investment in the training of lawyers,she cautions that firms have “Everyday was a new challenge,a new experience.I learned how to be supportive, since sending a lawyer on secondment gener- in-house counsel aligned business risks with business priorities,” ally involves a short-term loss for a long-term gain. she says. She also learned how the legal department equipped “Secondments pay contract-lawyer rates, which are significantly staff with the knowledge they required to deal with potential lower than full hourly billable rates… For the law firms this legal risks, by producing FAQs and holding seminars. means losing the stream of revenue from an associate’s billings for “One of the things we find with junior lawyers in particular at least a few months. Plus the firm generally has to top up the is they don’t often understand the business side,” Swansburg says. associate’s salary while they are on secondment.” “A secondment offers them hands-on experience, an immersion program on how we operate.At the end, we have a well-trained Mark Johnson, Associate, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP lawyer who is better able to provide practical advice.” David Rosenberg, General Counsel, Carillion Canada Inc. Although Swansburg views secondments as a worthwhile David Rosenberg, general counsel, Carillion Canada Inc., a Mark Johnson PAUL EEKHOFF Associate, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP [right] David Rosenberg General Counsel, Carillion Canada Inc. [left] PRINTEMPS 2010 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association 21