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CCCA_V7No1_Spotlight-FIN_CCCA_V6No4 2/12/13 5:43 PM Page 51 of in-house excellence, it more than ful- can be a launching pad into executive advocacy, about community, and have a Spotlight on… The CCCA story leadership and other roles for public and ‘distinct voice’ that is ‘heard’ in both the fills that role. private organizations,” she adds. legal and business communities.” This evolution “is exciting and right As CCCA embarks on another 25 years Bev Cline is a freelance writer based in Toronto. and a tremendous piece of information to share” with law students she meets on rotation at the commission. “Becoming an in-house counsel can provide a wonderful CHOOSE FROM CANADA’S TOP practice for a lawyer with an active and MEDIATORS AND ARBITRATORS vibrant interest in both business and law.” As corporate counsel take on expanded roles as trusted adviser to their organiza- tions, the types of experience and back- ground in-house counsel bring to the executive table is also vastly expanding, says Barry M. Fisher, vice-president, gen- eral counsel and corporate secretary at SAP Canada Inc. in Toronto For example, he says, [a number of ] “private practice lawyers are choosing to leave law firm partnerships to go in-house to become much more directly involved in the businesses to which they have tradi- tionally been providing only legal advice.” CCCA is doing an excellent job of providing a knowledge base for all in- house counsel,” says Fisher, including those with broad legal experience, but less experience in the specific skills required W.A. Derry Millar Barry Leon of a lawyer inside a company or govern- Derry is the former Treasurer of Barry is a leading arbitrator and ment department.” the Law Society of Upper Canada mediator. Global Arbitration Twenty-five years ago, says Fisher, “a and brings over 38 years of legal Review 100 called him “one small group of in-house counsel drew and neutral experience. His of Canada’s most high-profile together almost like a trade association and expertise includes commercial, arbitration practitioners”. said: ‘We have some common interests. We aviation, estates, environmental, insurance, products liability, Recognized by Lexpert/ ought to have a forum in which we can American Lawyer, Chambers intellectual property and real share those experiences.’” Now, CCCA has Global, and International Who’s estate matters. grown into a sophisticated association that Who. Certified by International provides a high level of shared experience Mediation Institute. Chair of ICC Canada. and information to in-house counsel. Reflecting on his decision to take on Barry is available in Toronto, the CCCA director position in those Ottawa and across Canada. early days, Mark Van de Veen says, “I’ve always believed that if, as in-house coun- adrchambers.com sel we are going to be a recognized and a respected group, we have to be concerned 1.800.856.5154 about professional development, about PRINTEMPS 2013 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association 51