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CCCA_V5No1_InHouse-FIN.qxd:CCCA_V1No1_DriversSeat-FIN.qxd 2/1/11 11:05 PM Page 38 Inside tips: How to succeed in-house a recommended course of action. Build relationships inside the company “Now,in many cases,outside counsel do [that] as well.I am not “I think that successful outside counsel realize early on in their saying that in all cases outside counsel simply present both sides careers that the practice of law is as much relationship-driven of an issue without a decision, but in the in-house counsel role, I as it is knowledge-driven. And the practice of law in an in- would say there is more of house environment is no an expectation.You are in an “For many people making the different: in order for in- advisory role, but also in a house lawyers to be success- decision-making role.” transition, [managing people] is ful they should think about Learn the one of the biggest challenges, but also not just developing their legal expertise, but also business one of the biggest opportunities to developing relationships. “If you are new to an organ- “This includes getting to ization, I think it’s important learn new skills.” know others in their legal that you try to learn as much team as well as others across about your company’s oper- the organization,at all levels.” ations as you can, and as quickly as you can, because it’s that knowledge and that context that help you provide more effective Reap the rewards of new challenges and practical advice… “It’s energizing, it provides new challenges but, having said that, “If you want to become valuable to an organization, it’s impor- I very much enjoyed private practice… tant that you understand what the business of the organization is “I think it is the opportunity to really understand a single client about. Obviously, that can’t happen on the first day you arrive, but and work shoulder- to-shoulder with a client’s management team you should make a concerted effort as new in-house counsel to that’s really, to me, exciting and refreshing. learn and develop that expertise… “And the ability to be involved in matters from inception…You “In an in-house role, you have one client, in effect, but the can watch them grow and be part of it.” breadth of that client’s business means that the scope of issues you can be involved in day to day remains very broad.” Virginia Galt is a freelance writer based inToronto. gagner de l’expérience en s’impliquant dans une entreprise, il importe que vous collègues du département juridique et des dans les différentes phases du développe- appreniez rapidement le maximum d’élé- autres services, et ce, à tous les échelons ment transactionnel et en jouant un rôle ments sur ses opérations.Ces connaissances de l’organisation. stratégique proactif. et votre familiarisation avec le contexte organisationnel vous aideront à proposer Récoltez les récompenses Perfectionnez vos aptitudes des conseils pratiques et accroîtront votre résultant des nouveaux défis décisionnelles efficacité.Même si vous avez un seul client À titre d’avocat d’entreprise, vous serez En tant qu’avocat d’entreprise, vous serez comme tel, l’éventail des sujets qui amené à bien comprendre un client appelés à prendre position sur un sujet plus exigeront votre participation au quotidien unique et à collaborer étroitement avec fréquemment que l’avocat externe. Votre restera étendu. l’équipe de la direction. Être impliqué dès double rôle :conseiller et prendre des déci- le début des mandats et les voir évoluer sions. Ne vous limitez donc pas à faire part Établissez des relations vous procureront le sentiment d’en faire au client des différentes perspectives Les avocats externes savent que la pratique partie intégrante. Les nouveaux défis de la entourant une question. juridique dépend autant de leurs connais- pratique juridique en entreprise sont cer- sances que de leurs relations. Il en est de tainement revitalisants. Familiarisez-vous avec l’entreprise même pour la pratique du droit en entre- Si vous êtes un avocat fraîchement arrivé prise. Faites donc connaissance avec vos ~Yasmina El Jamaï 38 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association SPRING 2011