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Profile develop the area of enterprise risk man- she listens to viewpoints from various per- what the legal issues are.Then giving the agement. Beyond regulatory and legal spectives. “They don’t always take my business advice as they shape their business risks,there are also risks with how compa- advice,” she notes.“You have to find bal- goals and move forward.” nies do business in terms of client rela- ance between different interests.If there’s a Although she’s involved in different tions, and the insurer-broker relationship, serious legal issue and I kind of put my groups, including the board at York he says. hand down and say,‘Look this is what we University, much of her volunteer work “We felt that perhaps having a focus, need to consider and we need to do,’ cer- has been with the Canadian Association through legal, on how we managed those tainly that’s taken into perspective.” of Black Lawyers and the Black Business relationships would serve to not only reduce When a colleague comes to her with Professional Association, the latter led by incidences of lawsuits and legal actions but an issue, it’s up to her to find a work- president Pauline Christian whom also sharpen up our business practices.” able solution. Devonish met and mentored a dozen He was also looking beyond years ago. “Terrie has been integral in my the required legal skill set, want- growth throughout the organiza- thing I saw was her energy and “ I’ve always believed if tion and throughout the city,”says ing to hire someone who would inject vitality into the role. someone has ability but Christian, who has received pub- Enter Devonish. “The first activism.“She is one of the peo- sharpness,” Fawcus says.“She has doesn’t know it, they just lic recognition and awards for her a personality, and that’s an need one person to tell ple who inspired me and stimu- important part of my firm. them that they can, or show lated me to champion the cause “I remember talking to her of the underprivileged.” about six months after she start- them there is a way. Christian says Devonish works ed. I told her,‘I can’t believe we ” hard and effectively to connect Terrie-Lynne Devonish went so many years without an youth with starting points for internal counsel given how their nascent careers — helping many calls you take a day from them gain scholarships, develop- around our company.What on Earth was “I always tell people, ‘You are the ing and mentoring them, including yearly happening to all those inquiries?’” expert… you have the expertise. My meetings with different law firms to Devonish and her second counsel, expertise is understanding the legal risk introduce marginalized youth to commu- Chantal DaSilva,have formed a busy team inherent in what you are trying to do, nity stakeholders. working with groups across Canada.The whether it’s a litigation risk, a legislative Devonish recently joined another group team — in the process of hiring a third risk or a business legal risk.’” helping youth called PEACH, Promoting lawyer — provides legal advice and guid- By way of example, Devonish says in a Education and Community Health. Asked ance, anything from day-to-day contract recent case of launching a new business what motivates her, she says that when she review and approval, regulatory issues, product, she understood certain legal grew up she didn’t know a single lawyer. managing litigation and acquisitions. issues that would arise from the type of The only ones she saw were onTV,and they Devonish utilizes external counsel and business the company was entering. As didn’t look like her. Only later, through works closely with a global team of about part of the project team,she explained the mentorship, did she realize the possibilities. 150 Aon lawyers who share ideas and process. What appetite did they have for “I’ve always believed if someone has experiences the legal team brings back to the risk? Should they go to the regulator ability but doesn’t know it, they just need the various business groups. and discuss it? Did everyone clearly one person to tell them that they can, or “We almost practise like generalists understand the upside and downside risk? show them there is a way.Then, you can here,” she explains.“The key skill to work “That’s where as lawyers we can add absolutely change a life.” here as a lawyer is spotting issues. A sec- value even though we’re not subject mat- ond key is to give good business advice.” ter experts,”she says.“Really,it’s about hav- Michael Dempster is a freelance writer based As part of the senior management team, ing the business hat on and understanding in Calgary. 18 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association FALL 2011