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CCCA_V7No4_Col-News-FIN_CCCA 13-11-25 1:23 PM Page 45 A “phenomenal” range of issues will for the second year in a row. Nouvelles de l’ACCJE come up for discussion at the Calgary “I think CCCA is a terrific organiza- conference, she says, but they’ll always tion that provides relevant and timely pro- come down to a basic equation: “How gramming for in-house counsel. There’s can the legal department add value to our lots to do and it’s the kind of organization relationship with our internal clients, help that can keep you involved in our profes- our organization’s bottom line, and how sion and engaged as long as you choose,” can we showcase that value?” he says. Mercier is a graduate of the University Van Walleghem was so energized by of Montreal Law School and also holds a the experience last year, which was also master's degree in politics from Oxford the CCCA’s 25th anniversary, he’s University. She worked at Stikeman looking forward to welcoming in- Elliott as a tax lawyer before leaving to house counsel to the National take a series of progressively senior roles at Conference and to Calgary, which he BCE Inc. After a stint at Emergis Inc., she says is a “very vibrant city for in- joined Telus in 2008. house counsel.” Honoured in 2012 as one of the A graduate of the University of Calgary Co-chair Rob Van Walleghem Women’s Executive Network’s Top 100 Faculty of Law, Van Walleghem joined Most Powerful Women in Canada, Tervita in 2008 as vice-president and gen- instance, health, safety and environmental, Mercier enjoyed being in-house from the eral counsel. In-house since 2000, his regulatory, public affairs, and human first moment. “I found the work much prior roles included vice-president, legal resources,” he says. broader than what I was doing (at and corporate secretary of Essential As a consequence, Van Walleghem wants Stikeman Elliott), which at the time was Energy Services; general counsel for to invite in-house counsel “to capitalize on focused on very technical aspects of taxa- Builders Energy Services Ltd; general the breadth of experience” through shar- tion law. I thought working with a multi- counsel and corporate secretary of Tesco ing collective expertise and building disciplinary team was more interesting Corporation and general counsel and enduring connections at the conference. and frankly, I loved it.” corporate secretary of Cell-Loc Inc. The conference also provides an “When we come to the CCCA opportunity, “for more senior members of Building enduring connections National Conference, we spend a lot our group to provide encouragement to Rob Van Walleghem, Executive Vice- of time talking about legal issues. But less-experienced participants to engage President, Health, Safety and Enviro- there's also a wonderful opportunity to them in thinking about expanding their nment & General Counsel, Tervita converse with many in-house lawyers horizons. For looking beyond what they Corporation in Calgary, is pleased to co- responsible for more than the legal man- may have seen as traditional areas of focus chair the CCCA National Conference agement of their organizations, for for the in-house counsel position.” Participants praise CIC.C program pilot for expert instruction, relevant content By Lynne Yryku The approximately 40 people who The Business Leadership Program for In- to evolve and counsel is expected to provide gathered for the pilot of the CCCA House Counsel is the first of its kind, pro- value not only as a legal adviser but also as a certification program last October viding counsel with business management key member of the senior management were witnessing the culmination of 18 knowledge and leadership skills. team,” said attendee John Pappas, Corporate months of hard work and planning. “The role of in-house counsel continues Counsel, J.D. Irving Ltd. “The CCCA- HIVER 2013 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association 45