A flourishing professional network, through which they could help others and be helped themselves. That is one of the key features that initially drew Christine Desaulniers and Frédéric Pérodeau to the CCCA—and they were not disappointed. Both have formed relationships with in-house counsel from across Canada that have lasted for years, and both are constantly looking for ways to increase that reach, improve their knowledge and skills, and help others thrive at the same time.
They will co-chair the 2020 National Conference, Focus on the Future: In-House Counsel in 2020 and Beyond, taking place from April 26 to 28 in their home town of Montreal, where they hope to give as much as they get.
Christine Desaulniers
“It’s always interesting to see what others are doing and how they are dealing with issues. You can learn a lot,” explains Christine Desaulniers. It is this inquisitiveness and receptivity that have led her to where she is today: Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of TC Transcontinental, one of the largest packaging companies in North America and the largest printer in Canada.
Christine joined TC Transcontinental in November 2005, after almost 20 years with Stikeman Elliott LLP, where, among other things, she led the Montreal mergers and acquisitions group. At TC Transcontinental, she is responsible for the legal affairs of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, including as they relate to acquisitions, financing, restructuring, partnerships, commercial contracts, litigation and intellectual property. Over the past 15 years, she has successfully led a host of major acquisitions for the company, and has played a key role in numerous sales negotiations and equity and debt financings.
However, it is more than her legal excellence that makes her an inspiring role model. She is also actively involved in fundraising for various charitable organizations, eager for new knowledge and new ways of doing, and always ready to lend a helping hand.
Christine joined the CCCA for these very reasons: “I was looking to meet people who were in the same situation as I was and facing the same challenges. I wanted to develop a support network … [where] we could talk and learn from each other and our [diverse] experiences.”
In her work life, every day is different—and “usually doesn’t unfold the way [she] expected!” There always seems to be unexpected issues to deal with, fires to put out and more. “I have to act quickly and carry on,” she says. So having an arsenal of people and ideas to pull from is important.
Her success also stems from acting on the good advice she has received from friends and colleagues over the years: “Work hard and be rigorous. Raise your hand and try. Believe in yourself. And push yourself outside of your comfort zone.”
Christine is looking forward to testing her boundaries, exposing herself to different perspectives and practices, and meeting people outside her usual circles at the CCCA National Conference. She sees it as a way for “in-house counsel from all over Canada to connect, exchange ideas and keep up to date on the specific issues and challenges that many of us are having to deal with”—and perhaps rethink how they are currently being handled.
Indeed, she sees the future-forward theme fitting. It is a time to “think differently, question your approaches and consider reinventing yourself.” She explains that while it may seem easy to just continue moving forward, change is generally necessary and valuable (even when it is hard). Her secret? Genuine curiosity: “Seeing how others are doing things differently is exciting and can teach you a lot.”
Being co-chair—at the centre of this wealth of thought and information—is like icing on the cake.
Frédéric Pérodeau, CIC.C
“Always assume good intent.” This is advice that Frédéric Pérodeau first heard from Marc-André Blanchard, Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, when they were both practising at McCarthy Tétrault, and it has served him well ever since. This positive outlook has led him down a path of growth and opportunity, making him a better person, lawyer and leader in the process.
Indeed, Frédéric is well known within his organization, the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), for his leadership, strategic vision and considerable communication skills. He joined the AMF, the body mandated by the Government of Quebec to regulate the province's financial markets and provide assistance to consumers of financial products and services, in 2012 as Director of Litigation, moving to Senior Director of Investigations before becoming Superintendent of Client Services and Distribution Oversight in January 2018. In cooperation with over 150 employees, he oversees regulatory development, administers the rules governing eligibility for and pursuit of distribution activities, ensures issuance of certificates to individuals and the registration of firms, and supervises assistance services to consumers of financial products and services.
Outside of work, he remains highly involved in the legal community, contributing his knowledge and insight to the Canadian Securities Administrators, the Barreau du Québec (Quebec Bar), the Canadian Bar Association and the CCCA (including as Chair in 2015-16), to name only a few.
“I joined the CCCA in 2010, when I moved from private practice to in-house,” Frédéric explains. “I was attracted by all the resources available, the relevant and valuable professional development, and the network of in-house counsel from all over Canada. [Through my involvement,] I have had the opportunity to form lasting relationships with in-house counsel everywhere.”
Another highlight was the CCCA Mentoring Program, in which he participated as a mentor but “certainly learned as much from [his mentee].” He was also part of the first cohort of the Business Leadership Program for In-House Counsel, which he sees as “a real turning point” in his career. Here he met Gordon Currie, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at George Weston Ltd, whose advice he took to heart: “The skills that brought you to where you are right now are not the ones that will allow you to reach the next level.”
Given all the benefits he has enjoyed, he says, “It is a real honour and privilege to be Co-Chair of the CCCA National Conference, especially as the Conference is happening here at home [in Montreal] for the first time since 2012.”
“The theme is quite timely,” he continues, “given that in-house counsel are facing increasingly more diverse and complex legal and operational challenges. Our very role—and what senior management expect of us—is evolving. We must be legal counsel, business advisors, strategic partners, reputation keepers, moral compasses and even therapists all at once. Our knowledge and understanding must extend beyond legal, encompassing all areas of the organization.”
To help accomplish this daunting task, Frédéric emphasizes once again the CCCA and its Conference. “It is an event that brings together in-house counsel from coast to coast, providing us with numerous opportunities to share best practices and build our networks.” He is looking forward to the collaboration and friendships that will lead him into the next century—and beyond.
Lynne Yryku is the Executive Editor of the CCCA's In-House Edition.