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5/6/11 12:40 AM CCCA_V5No2_Col-News-FIN.qxd:CCCA_V1No2_Col-News-V1.qxd Page 50 CCCA News The CCCA Spring Conference, held in Toronto April 3-5, attracted more than 347 participants. It featured timely plenary sessions, left, opportuni- ties to network, centre, and keynote addresses by high-level speakers, including Michael Wilson, right, chair of Barclays Capital Canada Inc. A corporate counsel for his entire to be born in Canada. success, attracting more than 347 partici- career, Patzelt is general counsel and vice- “People write about what they would pants, the second highest number in the president, risk management, for Scotia do if they won the lottery,” he says. “I conference's history. Investments Limited in Halifax. The always say I won the lottery by being Speakers, faculty and attendees repre- diversified holding company has interests born in Canada.” One of his proudest sented a wide cross-section of experience encompassing paper, pulp and foam man- moments, he says, was being awarded the and sectors of the in-house community, ufacturing, energy, recycling, floral, tim- Queen’s Jubilee Medal for his contribu- ranging from sole legal officers of new berlands, medical devices and construc- tions to this country. companies to chief legal officers of organ- tion materials. “I want to be a lot like my parents, to izations with operations and law depart- An expert on legal and risk manage- have a rich engaged life,” he says.“I try to ments in multinational jurisdictions. ment issues, Patzelt is a thought leader pass on to my four children this sense that Attendees came from across Canada,mak- who revels “in coming up with ideas that life is an adventure to be lived to the ing the conference a truly national event. are new and novel.” Known as a dynamic, fullest.I’m proud of my kids;each of them From the pre-conference spring train- award-winning speaker, he also writes are cutting their own swath in the world.” ing camp aimed at new-to-in-house extensively on the subject of risk manage- In his spare time, Patzelt is an avid counsel and new law firm managers to ment. He is a past chair of the Canadian grassroots supporter of the Scouts of conference sessions aimed at general Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) Canada, an activity he shared with his counsel, the spring conference delivered a Nova Scotia Division, and long-time children as they participated in the organ- program targeted solely to corporate member of the national board of directors ization. In 2005, he was honoured with counsel needs. of the CME. Patzelt is also a recipient of the Silver Acorn, awarded by Scouts Built around the theme “Delivering the Don Stuart Award from the Risk and Canada for especially distinguished serv- Solutions, Driving Success,” the wide Insurance Management Society, their ice to scouting. range of concurrent sessions highlighted highest Canadian designation, awarded to In fact, reflects Patzelt, his commitment the diverse and growing number of crit- a person in recognition of their outstand- to volunteerism is derived from the ical issues that corporate counsel deal ing contributions to risk management. Scouts’credo:“You leave the campground with on a continuing basis. better than you found it.” Professional Development sessions A “rich engaged life” included best practices for protecting Patzelt lives in Halifax with his wifeTracy intellectual property at home and abroad, and their four children. The child of 2011 CCCA National Spring commercial contracts, negotiating busi- immigrants who, like so many others, Conference: A truly national event ness agreements, enterprise risk manage- came here with next to nothing and built The CCCA National Spring Conference ment for corporate counsel, legal successful lives, he considers himself lucky in Toronto April 3-5 was a tremendous project management and current issues in 50 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association SUMMER 2011