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CCCA_V7No1_Profiles-FIN_CCCA 2/12/13 4:32 PM Page 22 Profile In practical terms, the jump in rank The Judge Advocate General, because of plans to move with his spouse back to gives Cathcart increased profile and access. the way he is appointed, and because of Nova Scotia, and maybe teach or do some The JAG enjoys a special relationship with the new rank, is in the perfect position to writing. He says it’s frustrating not being the Minister of National Defence, to give his unfettered opinion to those in able to fully respond to misinformation whom he reports. Cathcart’s role is largely power — even if they don’t want to hear spread in some quarters about Canada’s advisory, and a day on the job can be spent it. But he has to be sure his advice has a military role, or the nature of military law. attending meetings and offering his solid foundation. As a private citizen he would be in a bet- learned opinion on a wide range of legal “The thing about being in Ottawa, the ter position to do so, though he would still issues. But given the nature of both the way things work here, is that you can give be constrained by confidentiality and priv- military and the bureaucratic hierarchy, “if advice and then see that advice acted on,” ilege requirements inherent in a counsel’s it’s a two-star meeting and you only have says Cathcart. “But that puts extra pressure position. He also thinks he might have a one star, you may not get invited,” says on you to make sure you get it right the novel in him, though he’ll start out with Cathcart. For the price of some new busi- first time.” non-fiction and see where that takes him. ness cards, the jump in rank “reflects and Cathcart, who will be a keynote speaker Cathcart says he won’t necessarily go respects the nature of the Canadian Armed at the CCCA’s National Spring Con- looking for a new job when he leaves the Forces as an institution” and should result erence in Toronto, enters the final year of JAG’s office. That said, “you get to meet a in “increased practical and timely access to his term in April. The National Defence lot of interesting people in this job,” he legal advice for senior decision-makers.” Act provides for the possibility that he says, “and one of them might come to you Most importantly, the change in rank — could be reappointed for another four with an offer or an idea.” which did not bring with it a bigger pay- years, but he won’t speculate on the possi- cheque, Cathcart is quick to offer — bility of that happening. Kim Covert is an editor in the CBA’s underlines the independence of his office. When his time at JAG is through, he Communications Department. EXPERIENCE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE. In today’s business environment, fraud, financial irregularities and other issues of ethics and governance are becoming more and more common. MNP’s team of Investigative & Forensic specialists has extensive risk management and crisis response experience to help your organization weather any storm. Contact Greg Draper, FCGA, DIFA, CFE, Vice President, Valuations, Forensic and Litigation Support at 1.877.500.0792 or greg.draper@mnp.ca. 22 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association SPRING 2013