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CCCA_V6No3_Profiles-FIN_CCCA_V1No1_Profile-FIN.qxd 9/18/12 12:21 PM Page 16 Profile to understand how judges think and apply challenges of any kind “without any kind and spoke at this August’s CBA Canadian the law. of question,” is one of her biggest Legal Conference in Vancouver. She was “It was instructive.What I learned was strengths, Richards says. “She’ll take up a part of a presentation on key develop- not to be afraid of judges and to under- new area of the law, such as privacy, and ments in-house counsel need to be aware stand they are human beings trying to do get on top of it and dominate it.” of in today’s changing world. the best they can, given the constraints of Their professional relationship ended Her legal expertise aside,Fung is particu- the law, and do the just and right thing in last year when Intrawest closed its larly drawn to working with a broad group each case.” Vancouver office and moved to Denver. of people who share a common goal. Fung articled in 1985 and through He moved south. Fung chose to stay in “To be honest, as a lawyer, I probably 1993 worked in corporate/commercial Vancouver, accepting a free ski pass to the value most of all [working with] the law, aboriginal rights litigation and Whistler Blackcomb resort as part of a organizations that are not just dominated administrative law for two Vancouver- deal to stay until the Vancouver office by lawyers, because we tend to think based national law firms. closed in December 2011. alike, talk alike and dress alike.” In 1993, Stephen Richards approached There have been job offers to move Tim Timberg, a Department of Justice her about moving in-house at Terasen Gas elsewhere, but Fung’s family and commu- lawyer in Vancouver, met Fung 15 years (then B.C.Gas).The company was growing nity ties are strong. She marvels at the ago through the B.C. Law Society’s and he needed someone with a strong job her father did,raising six kids after her Equity and Diversity committee. Fung, he solicitor’s background who could also take mother’s death. All live in the Vancouver says, is exceptional in any group because on a quasi-litigation role at regulatory hear- area and are “contributing members she is organized, respectful, considerate, ings with the National Energy Board and of the community with the right values,” and has a good sense of humour. the B.C. Utilities Commission. she says. “We became friends when she invited “Once I met Anna… it didn’t take long Tanya Deacon is especially grateful her me to play golf,” he says. “She’s a very to know she would be a fit,” Richards aunt pledges to be aVancouverite for life. good player and pleasant to play with remembers.“She has a fine legal mind and Deacon moved in with Fung when she because — at least with me — she does- is very bright. was 10, after her parents (Fung’s brother n’t keep score. I appreciate that because “But her approach to the community and his wife) separated. I’m a terrible golfer. It makes it much really impressed me.When I looked at her Now 26, Deacon works full time while more fun.” résumé and the amount of her own time studying for a nursing degree. She’s living Fung admits an addiction to the game that she committed, it was impressive. rent-free with her “auntie,” whom she and half-jokingly says she considered Because in the practice of law, time is pre- considers a role model and friend. becoming a “golf bum,” after this year’s cious,time is money,and she still found ways “She’s a phenomenal person with a January-May break. Unfortunately, she to do an awful lot of community work.” good heart and an amazing group of notes,too many of her friends have day jobs. The pair shared a collegial relationship friends… from judges, to bus drivers to Instead,in June she accepted an offer to for 12 years. Richards left Terasen when cashiers, everyone,” Deacon says.“She just become vice-president, legal and general the company was taken over.A year later, loves cooking and I’d say she holds dinner counsel at TimberWest Forest Corp., a after another takeover, Fung rejoined him parties at least three times a month, huge, company under the ownership of two at North American resort operator three or four-course meals.” large pension funds with the intent of Intrawest ULC. Many friendships are spinoffs of Fung’s growing the business. This time, Richards was looking for a professional and community involvement. Her new role comes with plenty of reg- chief privacy officer who could assume the One special relationship is with her part- ulatory restraints and environmental issues file for the company’s recreational resort at ner, Brent Munro, whom she met in 2001 to manage, she says. It’s a new challenge, MontTremblant, Que. Fung was bilingual, when they were provincial representatives another chance to learn and contribute — he says, a quick study who through on the CCCA board. (Munro lives in what Anna Fung calls “a privilege.” extremely hard work had earlier developed Regina and is long-time corporate coun- rare expertise in the oil and gas business. sel at SaskTel.) Michael Dempster is a freelance writer based Her willingness to learn, to take on Fung remains connected to the CCCA in Calgary. 16 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association FALL 2012