Page 46 - CCCA Magazine Spring 2015

{ iNside edge } Be your oWn Best adVocate By Bindu Cudjoe i have learned many things over the years, but key among them You must know yourself and what you is that no one cares more about your career than you do. You are good at—with examples to prove it. As a fnancial services lawyer, I am good have to own your career, your progress and your reputation— at transactions, but what I really enjoy and realize that everything has a season. are the business and relationship sides of things. This is what prompted my move in-house. I wanted to be a lawyer and a think “career,” not “Job” I was an associate at McMillan LLP at trusted advisor. Your career is long, and you need to pri- the time, and there were no similar role I was hired by BMO Financial Group, oritize different things at different times, models in the frm to follow or precedents where I am now Deputy General Counsel depending on what suits your life and the set. I had to ask for things like a Black- and Chief Administrative Offcer, and I marketplace at the time. This can be hard. Berry and a fexible schedule, so I could have thrived in-house. There is a real focus I have had a lot of stern conversations leave at 4:30 pm to pick my child up from on leadership, managing people and creat- with myself along the way to remain fo- daycare and continue my day after she was ing connections—which suits me perfectly. cused on the thing that is right at the time. asleep. I had to make the business case. To But it took time and determination I have had to realize that I cannot have it me and the frm, what was paramount to get here. I had to realize my goals and all, all the time. was that I get my work done well and re- ambitions had changed, and I no longer As a young associate, my job was to main responsive to clients. I was confdent suited my previous position and ambi- learn from my work and other people. I fo- I could do this but planned a review with tions. Then I had to fnd a position that cused intensely on my career, working long my manager after six months to ensure it aligned with my values, and work that I hours and long days. There were certainly worked for both of us. It did, and it set a found meaningful. consequences on my personal relation- precedent for others. Opportunities will present themselves ships, but I was upfront with family and when you are at the right place, at the friends about how important they were to take ownership right time. The tricky part is to trust your- me even if we did not see each other often. While my situation involved motherhood, self—and the hard work you have done to Then I entered a new stage of my life: asking for what you want and need is gen- get there—and take advantage of them. I got married and had my frst of three derless. It is really about taking ownership While you may not be able to have it all, children. After maternity leave, I wanted to of your career and reputation. Your reputa- you should always be able to have what is return to work. This meant some sacrifces tion is built little by little, through every fle most important to you. ❚ but again it came down to prioritizing. and interaction you have with clients and For example, it was not important that I other colleagues, whether peers, leaders or personally clean our house, but it was im- support. I was able to get what I needed Bindu Cudjoe joined BMO as Se- nior Counsel in 2012, was named portant that I have time for my family on because I had built a reputation as a re- Associate General Counsel and the weekends, so we hired a housecleaner. sponsive, reliable lawyer. Managing Director in 2013, and “ Asking for what you want and need Legal, Corporate & Compliance Group, including became Deputy General Counsel and Chief Administrative Offcer in 2014. She is accountable for managing the operations of the oversight for fnance, human resources, real estate, is genderless. It is really about taking strategic initiatives and BMO’s external counsel pro- gram. She is also Director for the Federation of Asian ownership of your career and reputation. Canadian Lawyers School, Council Chair at Emily Carr Public School in Oakville and a mentor to young lawyers. She recently won the Lexpert 2014 Rising from the South Asian Bar Association of Toronto. 46 CCCa Magazine | spring 2015 printeMps ” Star Award and the 2014 Legal Excellence Award