Page 10 - CCCA Magazine Fall 2019

{ PROFiLE }

This environment suits him perfectly. involvement beginning in high school and someone,” he explains. “When you move
He had been looking for his next profes- continuing through law school and the to in-house, very often the offces are in
sional challenge, and while “JTI is a really CCCA, he joined the board of the National the suburbs or just outside of downtown.
good company” with “really talented and Circus School Board in 2013 at the encour- It’s very easy to isolate yourself. And I
wonderful people,” advancement would agement of a former boss, without any par- think that it’s important, professionally,
have meant being mobile. With a young ticular circus knowledge or experience, and for in-house to stay in touch with their
family at home and aging parents nearby, “was really caught off guard by the passion, colleagues. You’ll fnd a lot of richness in
this did not work for him. “JUUL Labs of- the talent and the grit” of the students. He the experience of your peers, and there are
fers me the possibility of being the head of became Chair of the board in 2017. a lot of takeaways from what others have
the department while staying in Montreal “I went from a vague interest to a full-on gone through and are experiencing. It’s an
[for the most part].” passion about training circus artists,” he ex- incredible resource.”
“[For example,] I have a friend whom I
have been remotely in touch with over the
years who is now head of legal for a big
start-up,” he continues. “When I was con-
“ I think that it’s important, professionally, sidering making the jump, I met with her.
for in-house to stay in touch with their colleagues. I had some [reservations and concerns].
Being in touch with her really helped me
You’ll fnd a lot of richness in the experience of your
make the decision to move.”
peers, and there are a lot of takeaways from what He is quick to point out the relation-
” have a responsibility as lawyers to men-
others have gone through and are experiencing . ships must be two-way: “I also think we
tor other lawyers. I think everyone should
take the time to connect with someone
who’s starting in the profession, or has
“The experience I’m having now is plains. “I’m very proud to be contributing in only a couple of years under their belt,
such a thrill, and I feel like I’m a bit re- my way to their success and the school’s—it and help them navigate this profession.
born. I haven’t worked so hard in a gazil- is the best circus school in the world!” And be there for others who may need
lion years, but I’m having a lot of fun ev- He has personally beneftted from his guidance or are seeking support. It’s a
ery day,” he says. “And my new colleagues involvement as well: “It’s a really fascinat- duty that we have, but it’s also something
are highly motivated, talented, passion- ing board with various professionals. We that’s very rewarding.”
ate and very warm. I feel that I’ve been a have people from law frms, from the f- Thinking back to his beginnings in the
part of their family for years.” nance industry, from the advertising in- profession, Sébastien recalls, “I had always
dustry, from the flm industry and more. been interested in politics and economics,
Family and Community It’s a very diverse board.” and I thought law might be interesting. So
“I think it is important to [emphasize] I went to law school, not really knowing
Although Sébastien may be spending a that,” he continues. “Diversity on a board where I would end up. Then I was hired
lot of time on the road as he settles into is crucial. It is the various experiences by Lavery, a Montreal-based frm, and
his role, his family remains his top pri- from everyone sitting around the table that I found my way. Thankfully, I met some
ority: “I try to spend as much time as I make the process so rich. Some things will people along the way who were really
can with my kids, who are 4 and 6.” To be be fagged by lawyers and will be appeased good mentors. I learned a lot from them.”
his best for them, he realizes his health by others around the table, for instance, “It’s funny,” he smiles, “because when I
and well-being are important. He used to and sometimes it’s the reverse. I really love was articling, I remember there was a law-
be a skydiver—a career that is currently working with the people on this board.” yer who I really liked. He was my advisor,
“on pause, not over, until my kids get my sounding board. He was, I think, 43 at
older”—and has now turned to running. Mentors and Friends the time, and I was young. I thought he
“I have really developed a passion for was so old! Not like an old person, but he
it, “he says. “Nowadays, every time I travel, People are the cornerstone of Sébastien’s had so much experience, and he had seen
my running shoes are in my bag. It is the success: “To me, the best career invest- so much and done so much. Now I look at
frst thing I do when I get up or when I get ment is to always maintain the relation- myself, just a year older than he was. I still
off a long fight. It gives me the energy to ships I have developed over the years.” feel pretty young.” ❚
get through the day.” “When you’re in a law frm, your offce
He brings this energy and enthusiasm is generally located in the centre of the ac-
to his other priority as well: community tion. You can go to lunch with a variety Lynne Yryku is the Executive Editor of CCCA
involvement. With a long history of board of people, and you’re always in touch with Magazine.

10 CCCA MAgAzine | fALL 2019 AUToMne