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CCCA_V5No1_Ethics-FIN.qxd:CCCA_V1No1_DriversSeat-FIN.qxd 2/2/11 3:15 PM Page 40 Inside tips: How to succeed in-house far-reaching and it can be challenging for lawyers to reach the protected lawyers who have, in good faith, taken steps to escalate point where they are reasonably confident that the statements are concerns. In a few recent cases they’ve even held lawyers person- accurate.To address these kinds of concerns,immediately begin by ally responsible for such disclosures or chosen to take the organi- establishing your personal requirements for signing documents. zation’s side when a lawyer alleges his or her subsequent retalia- Take every opportunity to educate yourself about what you need tory termination.At times the expectations by organizations and to know in order to sign the document especially if it is a recur- regulators of in-house lawyers to blow the whistle, and the abili- ring requirement.Look for efficiencies in the process,to save time ty of in-house to respond to those expectations appear to con- and clarify your expectations concerning information.Voice those flict. Also, by escalating the matter, you could be putting your job expectations to key people in a constructive and open manner. on the line along with your reputation.At the end of the day,you You can explain, and blame, the requirements of the law, so it is should be sure that you take the steps that are compliant with understood that you (and they) have no choice in the matter. applicable law and policy, but also consistent with your moral compass. Leave your desk every evening knowing that you have . As in-house counsel, what must you do after concluding that done your best to make progress in addressing the wrong. an employee — possibly a member of senior management — is acting in a manner that is inconsistent with, or in breach of . A colleague knocks on your door, comes in to your office, and legislation or policy? tells you a tale about another employee who might have com- mitted an act that requires you to take further action. But In-house lawyers face heightened scrutiny and a wide array of before leaving your office, your colleague smiles and asks you potential criminal and civil charges in the current regulatory cli- not to speak to anyone about it. mate. Every week,we hear stories from around the world involv- ing corporate counsel getting stung for their participation in pro- This is a tough one. One of the most important roles that an in- hibited conduct.There is growing pressure on people, including house lawyer will fulfill in an organization is to be a trusted busi- lawyers, to blow the whistle, whether internally or externally. ness partner. That trust often extends to the entire organization, However, courts in various jurisdictions have not consistently and not just to senior management.This means that you are in a Dilemmes de nouvelles recrues Préparez-vous à faire face à des dilemmes éthiques courants. es avocats qui passent du cabinet à des connaissances requises ou que vous avez un matière d’information aux personnes clés de Ll’entreprise s’aperçoivent rapidement doute quant à la véracité de son contenu. votre organisation. qu’ils sont d’importants modèles pour En tant qu’avocat, vous devez vous con- 2.À titre de conseiller juridique d’entreprise, que l’organisation. Au sein d’un département former à des normes plus élevées que les devez-vous faire après avoir constaté qu’un juridique, vous serez régulièrement appelé à gens d’affaires, notamment pour la signature employé ou un membre de la haute direction fournir conseils et orientations sur les de documents.Avant de signer quelque do- n’agit pas conformément aux lois ou politiques? manières de garantir le respect des lois et cument que ce soit, assurez-vous de lire et Les avocats d’entreprise sont potentiellement politiques.Votre attitude fera inévitablement de comprendre l’intégralité du contenu,peu passibles d’un large éventail d’accusations l’objet d’une surveillance accrue; c’est importe la pression exercée sur vous. Une criminelles ou civiles. Chaque semaine, des pourquoi vous devez prévoir comment faire règle d’or pour la simple attestation de fonc- nouvelles à l’échelle internationale annon- face aux dilemmes éthiques quotidiens tions ou le certificat de conformité à la loi cent l’inculpation d’un avocat d’entreprise inhérents à la fonction d’avocat d’entreprise. Sarbanes Oxley, complexe et onéreuse, la- pour participation à un comportement Trois dilemmes auxquels vous devez quelle exige des connaissances considérables illicite. On presse les avocats à dénoncer à vous préparer : sur l’organisation et ses états financiers! Dès l’interne ou à l’externe. Néanmoins, les tri- votre recrutement, faites connaître vos bunaux de différentes juridictions n’ont pas 1.On vous demandera de signer un document qui préférences concernant la signature de do- toujours protégé les avocats qui ont émis des vous met mal à l’aise parce que vous manquez cuments et faites part de vos contraintes en dénonciations de bonne foi. Au cours 40 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association SPRING 2011