Step Back to Lead Forward

The CBA In-House Leadership Retreat brings together senior in-house counsel for a full day of reflection, peer discussion, and connection at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club on Toronto Island — just minutes from downtown by ferry.

This year's sessions are built around what Canadian legal departments are actually facing: rising litigation risk, AI compliance, and a surge in HR and employment challenges.

The day will be hosted by Husein Panju, in-house lawyer and — in his other life — a stand-up comedian and cartoonist. Husein brings the same clarity and wit to a room that he brings to his work: expect sharp facilitation, a few laughs, and a day that feels as energizing as it is substantive.

Participation is intentionally limited to keep the environment interactive and the conversations candid.

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Please note: Session topics and speakers may be subject to change.

9:00am	Arrival & Breakfast
9:30am	Opening Remarks
9:45am	Keynote: Hon. Erin O'Toole on Canada-U.S. Relations in a Time of Economic Uncertainty Sponsored by LexisNexis Current member of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations, President and Managing Director of ADIT North America, and former federal Conservative leader, the Honourable Erin O'Toole, PC, CD, will deliver a keynote on the evolving Canada-U.S. economic and political landscape and what it means for Canadian businesses and in-house counsel. Drawing on his experience in government, international trade, and cross-border policy, he will explore the strategic implications of ongoing CUSMA discussions, geopolitical uncertainty, tariffs, and shifting Canada-U.S. relations. The session will provide practical insight into the economic and regulatory forces shaping business risk, investment, and legal strategy in the years ahead.
10:35am	Navigating a New Era of Policy Volatility Sponsored by McCarthy Tétrault How are General Counsel navigating constant policy change and what does effective leadership look like in this environment? This moderated panel explores how legal leaders are turning uncertainty into a catalyst for resilience and sustainable growth. From improving organizational agility to redefining relationships across the business, panelists will share how the legal function is evolving into a proactive driver of strategic outcomes. Speakers: Gennady Ferenbok, Executive Vice-President, Strategic Ventures & Corporate Secretary, Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited Awanish Sinha, Partner, McCarthy Tétrault
11:25am	Break - sponsored by LawVu
11:45am	Litigation Leadership: From Reactive to Ready Sponsored by Stockwoods LLP Canadian legal departments are anticipating a significant increase in litigation — and the data signals that litigation readiness is no longer episodic. It is a core leadership capability. Join litigation experts from Stockwoods LLP to explore how senior in-house counsel can rethink litigation strategy at an enterprise level, covering three dimensions: AI as a strategic lever, not just a cost tool: How sophisticated in-house teams are using AI to inform early case strategy, sharpen decision-making, and create leverage while keeping governance and risk in focus. Trial-ready organizations: Why the most effective strategies begin long before a claim materializes, and how to embed litigation awareness into investigations, record-keeping, and executive decision-making. Managing multi-dimensional disputes: How to orchestrate a coordinated response when litigation spans civil, regulatory, employment, and reputational fronts simultaneously. Speakers: Gerald Chan, Partner, Stockwoods LLP Andrea Gonsalves, Partner, Stockwoods LLP Nader Hasan, Partner, Stockwoods LLP Edward Marrocco, Partner, Stockwoods LLP
12:30pm	Lunch - sponsored par Luminance
1:45pm	Cross-Border Workforce Challenges: What’s New and What Matters Now Sponsored by Blaney McMurtry LLP In today’s rapidly shifting immigration landscape, senior in-house lawyers need to stay ahead of policy changes that affect talent mobility, hiring, and business operations. This session begins with a concise refresher on key frameworks, followed by timely updates on developments affecting CUSMA, the Global Skills Strategy, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and other emerging policies. We’ll also address the practical questions organizations are facing now: what employees should expect when crossing the border for work, what precautions legal and HR teams should be taking, and where companies are being caught off guard. Designed for busy legal leaders, this session delivers clear, actionable guidance for managing cross-border workforce risk in real time. Speakers: Mona Shah, Vice-President, North America General Counsel (former), Kellanova Neena Sandhu, Partner, Blaney McMurtry LLP
2:35pm	Privilege in the GenAI Era: Managing and Mitigating Risks Sponsored by Dentons As artificial intelligence continues to transform the ways in which legal advice is provided throughout organizations, new questions about privilege are rapidly emerging. Recent American and U.K. case law raise questions (and doubts) as to the applicability of privilege when litigants use GenAI to develop or assess litigation strategy or, more generally, use GenAI for legal purposes. This panel will address these looming risks and how to mitigate them. Specifically, we'll look at: US case law on privilege waivers: An analysis of how US and UK courts have treated privilege claims relating to GenAI (there have not been any publicly released Canadian decisions) and an assessment of key trends, differences and takeaways. Canadian privilege law: An overview of privilege principles, including solicitor-client privilege, litigation privilege, common interest privilege, and deal-team privilege, with an examination of how U.S. case law maps onto the Canadian framework. Practical tips: Guidance on key inflection points where privilege risk arises. Governance considerations: Framed around privilege risks, including access controls, policies, vendor agreements, and other protocols to maintain the integrity of privilege claims. Speakers: Chloe Snider, Partner, Dentons Luca Lucarini, Senior Associate, Dentons
3:25pm	Break - sponsored by LawVu
3:45pm	Peer-to-Peer Leadership Roundtables A perennial favourite at the Retreat, these small-group discussions provide space for candid conversations on the issues that matter most. Participants exchange experiences, share practical insights, and learn from peers navigating similar leadership challenges.
4:30pm	Closing Remarks & Reception Close out the retreat by staying on the island a little longer for one final opportunity to connect with fellow attendees. Enjoy relaxed conversation, new connections, and waterfront views before heading back to the city.

Step Back to Lead Forward

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