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CCCA_V7No4_Spotlight-FIN_CCCA_V6No4 13-11-25 1:08 PM Page 40 Spotlight on… CCCA Committees “Some of the questions we are asking inclusion trailblazers and initiatives ourselves as a committee are: ‘How can within the workforce. we be the most effective? Are we an agent for change for the profession? An agent for change beyond the profession? Should Editorial Committee we help to promote the careers of lawyers The Editorial Committee’s mandate who come from diverse backgrounds?’” is to promote a broader understand- ing and appreciation of the activities Recent initiatives include: of the CCCA among lawyers and to • Supported Resolution 13-04-A demonstrate the value of member- “Equality in Judicial Appointments” at ship; to stimulate thought, commen- Heather Innes, the 2013 CBA Canadian Legal tary and discussion by informing Mentoring committee chair Conference. readers about issues, ideas and trends • CCCA partnered with Heenan relevant to the in-house counsel pro- Blaikie on a webinar called “Managing fession; to publish high-quality arti- advising on the development of the Mental Health in the Workplace.” cles, in Canada’s official languages program and encouraging the • Provided input for the book Breaking including a reasonable balance of recruitment of mentors. Through: Tales from the Top Canadian practice-oriented articles, to facilitate Women General Counsel, co-authored by the personal and professional devel- CCCA’s mentoring committee over- Kirby Chown and Carrie Mandel, opment of lawyers. sees the administration of the mentoring highlighting the achievements of program, says Heather Innes, committee women GCs in Canada over the last 25 The committee “is the conduit chair. In addition, says Innes, Counsel, years. The book was pre-launched at the between the membership and the edi- Global Process Leader, International 2013 CCCA National Conference dur- tors of CCCA magazine,” says Jim Trade Law, General Motors, “we work ing a popular plenary session featuring Rossiter, committee chair. “We assist to find ways to encourage more experi- preeminent women general counsel. the editors with story ideas relevant to enced in-house counsel to share their • Partnered with Pride at Work Canada, the membership and with names of wealth of experience with lawyers who the Sexual Orientation and Gender potential sources for stories,” says are new to in-house or are eager to Identify Conference (SOGIC) of the Rossiter, Legal Counsel, Parks Canada. enhance those skills required to move CBA and the Canadian Lesbian & In addition, “the committee helps up in their organizations.” The CCCA Gay Archives (CLGA), for a Diversity ensure the magazine reflects the needs Mentoring Program is unique, says and Inclusion in the Workplace and desires and diversity of the mem- Innes, “as it is a ‘Canadian’ in-house-to- Breakfast Seminar held at the bership.” The committee meets twice in-house mentoring initiative.” Archives, which highlighted LGBTQ annually and is a “group that is small by design, mighty by influence,” he says. Pro Bono Committee CCCA has recently established a Pro Mentoring Committee Bono Committee. The committee has The Mentoring Advisory Committee “met to talk about what its mandate will is dedicated to improving and pro- be, as well as how we can better provide moting the CCCA Mentoring our members with information and Program. This program provides an potential pro bono opportunities specif- opportunity for newer in-house ic for in-house counsel,” says Lawna counsel to seek the insights and Hurl, committee chair. guidance of more experienced in- The committee, says Hurl, Legal Jim Rossiter, house counsel. The mentoring advi- Counsel, Niska Gas Storage, expects to Editorial committee chair sory committee is responsible for be well on its way by early 2014. 40 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association WINTER 2013