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CCCA_V7No2_GlobalOutlook-FIN_CCCA 13-05-16 4:13 PM Page 27 Feature — Conférence Nationale du Printemps “Expect the unexpected and be prepared to adapt to that.” Expect the unexpected In business, as in life, unexpected circumstances can and do occur. “Expect the unexpected and be prepared to adapt to that,” says Riccardo Trecroce, vice-president and general counsel, Two years after the economic downturn,Magna faced another big change North America, at Magna International. when its founder,Frank Stronach,decided to leave and sell his control of the He advises general counsel to keep their cool company. Once it became a widely held public company,“there was a sig- when things start to go awry. "It’s easier to solve nificant effort to improve board governance and a significant effort towards problems and find the solution to problems if you board renewal,” says Trecroce. can stay calm and be one of those people who can help keep the ship on an even keel,” he says. Growing markets abroad “That’s an important quality I think through all of The upside of change lies in the demand for legal services in new markets those experiences. And I think a lawyer can add as globalization pushes Canadian companies to focus more time, energy and value that way, by keeping calm, helping to defuse capital in growing their markets outside of North America. tension if there’s tension and to help find solutions.” Trecoce has recruited lawyers to staff Magna’s rapid expansion in Asia, Supporting the company’s CEO and the rest of South America and Eastern Europe. The company, with approximately the team by being a good team player is crucial. 119,000 employees and annual revenue of $30.84 billion US now employs Find a way to add value to the situation. “Try to find close to 50 lawyers around the globe. Since face time can be a challenge, the that solution that will work, both from a legal per- company’s lawyers meet every two years to spend time together and exchange spective and a business perspective,” he says. ideas. And with lawyers so far away from corporate headquarters, Trecroce Trecroce also emphasizes the importance of makes a special effort to keep in touch.When he gets an email request for a being a good listener. “Ask a lot of questions phone call, “My first answer is always yes, period, and then I give them an before making a decision or giving advice. It real- opportunity to speak to me within 24 hours, no later than 48 hours.” ly is important to try to understand as much of the Magna’s decentralized business model gives its lawyers in all jurisdictions factual background that you can obtain under the a great deal of autonomy. The company now has legal teams in China, circumstances as well as the legal environment BRYAN LOCKYER Mexico and Brazil. “sometimes the person to whom you’re asking the or the legal regime that applies.” By doing that, “We’re on the cusp of some phenomenal opportunities as Canadians,” questions, or the person who’s speaking, finds his Bradford believes.“The more international I get, the more impressed I am or her own solution.” with Canadians.I think Canadian lawyers are really strong,they’re very open ÉTÉ 2013 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association 27