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Benchmark Litigation

Women in Law Forum
Vancouver 2020

October 7 & 8, virtual event

PRE-REGISTER FOR 2021
VIEW AGENDA
Sponsors
Blakes
BLG
Cassels
Guild Yule
Lawson
Nathanson
  • WHAT IS A VIRTUAL EVENT?

  • AGENDA

  • SPEAKERS

  • CONTACT US

  • PRE-REGISTER 2021

The Benchmark Litigation Women in Law Forum - Vancouver is going virtual

Today’s general counsel must understand the latest developments in litigation, employment, privacy, and regulatory/compliance and how to apply the laws to their businesses. This year, the Benchmark Litigation Women in Law Vancouver 2020 Forum will be a virtual event, viewed from the comfort of your home or office, where we will exchange the best practices not practical tips in each of these legal areas, along with a special focus on candid leadership and career advice for women in Vacounver, Calgary and Edmonton. We will also be applying for British Columbia CPD credit.

WHAT IS A VIRTUAL FORUM?

Through the use of a specially designed events platform, all content, presentations, panel discussions, and participation in breakout sessions and networking groups can be viewed live from a desktop computer or mobile device. You can also view all sessions on demand at a time that suits you.
Network

NETWORK

Network with a regional audience of women litigators and lawyers via chat functions and virtual networking rooms. Arrange meetings with others that suits your schedule and theirs. Experience a new way of building your network like never before.

Debate

DEBATE

Get access to exclusive insights from the speakers, share in best practice and take away valuable advice to implement in your own strategies. Engage with our speakers in live Q&A and polling to get insights and answers to your questions like never before.

Interact

INTERACT

Even though the event is online, you can still do all the things you would expect at a physical event. Get full interaction from visiting sponsor booths, downloading resources, joining the main presentation or breakout sessions and using one of our virtual open or private meeting rooms.

HOW DO I ATTEND A VIRTUAL FORUM?

REGISTER ONLINE


Register your place online - sign ups are limited to support several hundred attendees during live sessions.
 
 
ACCESS YOUR INVITATION




An exclusive attendance link will be sent to you. This link will provide you with access to all of the event's content and sessions.

 

 

 

WATCH LIVE OR ON DEMAND




Once logged in, you can view all sessions live, at a later date to suit you and can download any available presentation materials

 

 

 

REGISTER NOW

VIRTUAL AGENDA 2020

Keynote addresses, panel discussions, presentations and breakout sessions will be hosted over two days. All session times are in PDT unless stated otherwise.
 
The event will be submitted to the Law Society of British Colombia for CPD points.

 

OCTOBER 7

OCTOBER 8

Wednesday, October 7

Welcome from the Benchmark Litigation

09.00 PDT

Building a successful in-house legal department

09.10 PDT

  • Developing a culture of business advisor that supports growth and anticipate risks
  • Hiring a diverse team and navigating work/life challenges
  • Closer collaboration with external counsel
  • Successfully utilizing innovative and efficient legal ops tools
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Stephanie Hacksel
Stephanie Hacksel
partner, Hunter West Legal Recruitment (moderator)
Lilac Bosma
Lilac Bosma
SVP & general counsel, HSBC Bank Canada
Keely Brown
Keely Brown
general counsel, Oilers Entertainment Group
Lindsey_LeClair
Lindsey LeClair
general counsel and chief risk officer, Valeyo
Networking and coffee break

10.00 PDT

Build your brand and your tribe – “finding your voice”: credibility, confidence, resilience, and creativity

10.10 PDT

Niamh Pollak
Niamh Pollak
corporate counsel & compliance, Clio
Mary Buttery
Mary Buttery
QC, partner, Cassels
Maria Zeldis
Maria Zeldis
associate GC, Onni Group of Companies
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Networking and coffee break

11.00 PDT

Successfully managing risk in complex litigation

11.30 PDT

  • Role of in-house counsel on complex litigation cases
  • Courtroom perspective
  • Cross-border issues
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Laura Cundari
Laura Cundari
partner, Blakes
Veda Kenda
Veda Kenda
senior litigation counsel, British Columbia Securities Commission
Jung Lee
Jung Lee
associate general counsel and director of litigation & compliance, Ovintiv
Amanda Willett
Amanda Willett
Vice President Legal and Corporate Secretary, Denison Mines (part of Lundin Group)
Karen L. M. Carteri
Karen L. M. Carteri
partner & compliance, Nathanson Schachter & Thompson
Networking and coffee break

12.20 PDT

Empowering the Next Generation of Women: Using our Skills in the Community

12.30 PDT

Discuss ways to engage directly in our communities and indirectly through our companies/organizations’ efforts:

  • The Social Disruption movement
  • Solidarity among women
  • Helping women to reach their full potential
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Laura Bevan
Laura Bevan
partner, Lawson Lundell
Bindu Cudjoe
Bindu Cudjoe
SVP, GC and corporate secretary, Canadian Western Bank
Kellie Scott
Kellie Scott
deputy registrar, College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC
Networking session – Day 1 reflections

1.20 PDT

Closing comments for day one and highlights of day 2

1.30 PDT

Back to top

OCTOBER 7

OCTOBER 8

Thursday, October 8

Welcome from the Benchmark Litigation

09.00 PDT

Fireside chat keynote: What’s next? How women GCs are getting seats on boards

09.10 PDT

  • General counsel, as ‘risk determiners’, have experience in providing necessary advice
  • Add strategic value for all business units
  • The importance of strong networks
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Jennifer Ma
Jennifer Ma
director, privacy & product compliance, Hootsuite (moderator)
Nancy Brennan
Nancy Brennan
SVP, general counsel, Keyera
Networking and coffee break

09.30 PDT

Managing internal and external investigations

09.40 PDT

  • Conducting workplace investigations to follow-up human rights or occupational health/safety complaints
  • Dealing with police, regulators and the press
  • Protecting attorney/client privilege within the organization
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Kristal Low
Kristal Low
partner, Guild Yule (moderator)
Matilde Corbacho
Matilde Corbacho
senior legal and commercial manager, Parex Resources
Sarah King
Sarah King
manager, legal services, legal counsel, ENMAX Corporation
Networking and coffee break

10.30 PDT

The new business of litigation

11.00 PDT

  • Class action
  • Litigation funding and alternative financing
  • Insurance
  • Arbitration
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Michelle Maniago
Michelle Maniago
partner, BLG (moderator)
Megan Chorlton
Megan Chorlton
general counsel, The Municipal Insurance Association of BC
Annie Lespérance
Annie Lespérance
associate investment manager and legal counsel, Omni Bridgeway
Networking and coffee break

11.50 PDT

The role legal plays in combatting business crimes and building an ethical organization

12.10 PDT

  • Spotting potential conflicts
  • Responses once flagged
  • Training programs that prepare your workforce for ethical dilemmas
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Catherine Scott
Catherine Scott
corporate counsel, Thinkific (moderator)
Stacey Blyth
Stacey Blyth
chief compliance officer, Alitis Investment Counsel
Andrea Bosse
Andrea Bosse
managing legal counsel, ethics & compliance, Enbridge
Erin Nicholas
Erin Nicholas
VP, legal and corporate secretary, Lululemon Athletica
Networking sessions - Day 2 reflections

1.00 PDT

Close of forum

1.15 PDT

Back to top
REGISTER NOW

Speakers

If you feel you have something to contribute or would like to position yourself as an expert in your field, please get in touch with Beth Ranney for corporate speaking enquiries or Rebecca Synnott for law firm or service provider opportunities.

Lilac Bosma

HSBC Bank Canada
LilacBosma
Learn more ›
Lilac Bosma

SVP & general counsel, HSBC Bank Canada


 

Lilac Bosma is the General Counsel of HSBC Bank Canada, the proud leader of a national team working together to protect HSBC and help grow HSBC’s business. Prior to joining HSBC, Lilac was a partner at a regional firm in Vancouver, with a broad general commercial litigation and employment law practice. Lilac joined HSBC as a specialist employment lawyer in 2012, took on the role of Head of Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement in 2014, and was appointed Senior Vice President and General Counsel in June 2018.

 

In her role as General Counsel, Lilac is a member of HSBC Bank Canada’s Executive Committee. She also plays a global role in HSBC as a member of HSBC’s Global Legal Risk Executive Committee, considering legal risk and regulatory trends in jurisdictions all over the world. Lilac is a champion for diversity and inclusion, and is currently Executive Co-Sponsor for HSBC’s Indigenous Canadian Employee Resource Group.

 

Lilac’s goal is to build and maintain an agile in-house legal team that provides simple, practical advice to support HSBC’s business priorities in a sustainable and ethical way. She brings the skills she honed as a commercial litigator to every aspect of her role, strategically managing conflict to obtain superior outcomes for the organization. Lilac is known for her creative problem-solving, clear thinking under pressure and direct yet diplomatic communication. Her passion is people; Lilac’s personal purpose is to help those around her grow and transform to fulfill their full potential.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Building a successful in-house legal department

October 7 - 9.00 PDT

Keely Brown

Oilers Entertainment Group
Keely Brown
Learn more ›
Keely Brown

general counsel, Oilers Entertainment Group


 

Growing up in Kitchener, Ontario, Keely Brown became fascinated with the game of Ringette, back when girls “weren’t allowed” to play hockey. Her love for the game grew as she became a goalie in Ringette and played hockey goalie while attending the University of Toronto and Inline Hockey for the summer months. Eventually, her career as a goalie brought her out west to Alberta in the National Ringette League and National Women’s Hockey League. Keely was inducted into the Ringette Canada Hall of Fame as an Athlete in 2014, and was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame as an Athlete in 2018.

 

While in university, Keely studied Psychology and Criminology before pursuing a career in law at Osgoode Hall Law School. Pairing her first love of sport, and second for law, Keely then became the first in-house lawyer for the Edmonton Oilers in 2006. As the company grew to become now what is Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG), which includes the Edmonton Oilers, AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings, ICE District, and Rogers Place, Keely heads up OEG’s Legal Department and recently was promoted to the Executive group.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Building a successful in-house legal department

October 7 - 9.00 PDT

Lindsey LeClair

Valeyo
Lindsey LeClair
Learn more ›
Lindsey LeClair

general counsel and chief risk officer, Valeyo



For as long as she can remember, Lindsey LeClair dreamt of becoming a lawyer. One can speculate that the impetus derived from Matlock re-runs, but whatever the misguided influence, lawyering was the goal. Lindsey attended UBC, earning a BA in Canadian Studies, and then law school at the University of Ottawa. Lindsey's dreams were realized when she was called to the BC Bar in 2007 and began her legal career with the Vancouver firm DuMoulin Boskovich as a "solicigator" and then moved to in-house roles with Best Buy Canada, First West Credit Union, and now Valeyo as General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer. Lindsey is a true generalist, having provided legal advice to her internal clients in many areas including regulatory compliance, litigation, employment, contracts, governance, and commercial transactions. In her spare time, Lindsey loves singing and dancing with her daughter Isla and puppy Ozzy, and advocating for research to prevent, treat and cure type one diabetes and heart disease.



 Speaking session 

Building a successful in-house legal department

October 7 - 9.00 PDT

Niamh Pollak

Clio
Niamh Pollak
Learn more ›
Niamh Pollak

corporate counsel & compliance, Clio


 

Niamh grew up in Dublin, Ireland where she trained as a lawyer and spent the first few years of her career with McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors. She moved to Vancouver in 2005 and was admitted to practise with the Law Society of BC. Niamh has held a number of in-house positions over the years and currently works as a solo Corporate Counsel for Clio, a Canadian company that specialises in legal software management solutions with a goal of transforming the practise of law for good. Niamh's work focuses on technology and intellectual property law, corporate finance, employment law and commercial matters.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Build your brand and your tribe – “finding your voice”: credibility, confidence, resilience, and creativity

October 7 - 10.10 PDT

Mary Buttery

Cassels
Mary Buttery
Learn more ›
Mary Buttery

QC, partner, Cassels


 

Mary Buttery is a partner in the Restructuring & Insolvency Group at Cassels. Mary has gained national recognition for her involvement in countless significant insolvency files and many prominent litigation matters. Specializing in commercial insolvency and complex, multi-party litigation, she represents financial institutions, debtors and creditors, receivers and trustees in matters related to debt restructuring, corporate reorganizations, loan workouts, fraudulent preference actions, bankruptcy and receiverships. Mary regularly advises clients who are experiencing financial difficulty, or whose customers’ or suppliers’ insolvency affects their business. In addition, Mary is an experienced commercial litigator, with expertise in the enforcement of foreign judgments, class actions, debt enforcement and fraud. In 2018, Mary was appointed Queen's Counsel in British Columbia.

 

Mary is recognized by numerous legal directories as a leader in her field and has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of British Columbia, where she taught insolvency law to upper-year students. Her pro bono and community activities include: BC Cancer Foundation (Board of Directors), Minerva Foundation for B.C. Women’s Follow A Leader Program, and Vancouver Aquarium (Board of Governors).

 

 

 Speaking session 

Build your brand and your tribe – “finding your voice”: credibility, confidence, resilience, and creativity

October 7 - 10.10 PDT

Maria Zeldis

Onni Group of Companies
Maria Zeldis
Learn more ›
Maria Zeldis

associate GC, Onni Group of Companies


 

As Associate General Counsel for the Onni Group of Companies, Maria Zeldis advises on the management and operation of the company’s extensive real estate developments and commercial assets across North America.

 

Prior to joining Onni, Maria was Director of Legal Services at Cadillac Fairview, where she negotiated first-to-market leases with major international retailers, and was at the forefront of the tech industry’s office boom in Vancouver.

 

Maria integrates the skills obtained as a law clerk, lawyer at a national firm, and experienced in house counsel, to achieve the business needs of the company while protecting its legal interests.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Build your brand and your tribe – “finding your voice”: credibility, confidence, resilience, and creativity

October 7 - 10.10 PDT

Laura Cundari

Blakes
Laura Cundari
Learn more ›
Laura Cundari

Partner, Blakes


 

Laura Cundari is an experienced advocate with extensive experience litigating and arbitrating disputes relating to major projects in the energy, mining, construction, cannabis and infrastructure industries. Laura is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and a director of the Canada Branch of the CIArb. She is a director of the Vancouver International Arbitration Centre and a member of the Advocates’ Society’s British Columbia Regional Advisory Committee. Laura also volunteers her time as a member of the Executive Leadership Team of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of BC. She is recognized as a leading lawyer in Benchmark Canada, Chambers Canada, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and The Best Lawyers in Canada. She has been included on the Benchmark Litigation 40 & Under Hotlist for 2018-2020 and is a member of the legal team recognized as “Arbitration Firm of the Year” by Benchmark Canada for the past three years.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Successfully managing risk in complex litigation

October 7 - 11.30 PDT

Veda Kenda

British Columbia Securities Commission
Veda Kenda
Learn more ›
Laura Cundari

Partner, Blakes



Veda has practiced law for over 28 years, with essentially all that time spent as a litigator. She gained extensive litigation experience as a prosecutor for both the provincial and federal prosecution services. Veda was retained in a complex tax fraud prosecution resulting in the longest sentence in British Columbia for a tax fraud (9 years). The matter concluded after 6 years of litigation, during which the accused represented himself for most of the matter, introduced tens of thousands of documents, argued a multitude of spurious legal arguments and appealed to both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada. In 2012, Veda changed course and entered the field of administrative law at the British Columbia Securities Commission, where she is now senior litigation counsel in the Enforcement Division.



 Speaking session 

Successfully managing risk in complex litigation

October 7 - 11.30 PDT

Jung Lee

Ovintiv
Jung Lee
Learn more ›
Jung Lee

associate general counsel and director of litigation & compliance, Ovintiv



Jung Lee is Associate General Counsel & Director of Litigation & Compliance at Ovintiv, based in Calgary, Alberta. Jung and her team manage all international, US, and Canadian disputes and compliance matters, including investigations, antitrust, privacy and employment issues for the company. The team has been involved in a wide range of international and domestic commercial litigation and arbitration, class actions, and mediations in various jurisdictions. She is responsible for developing and coordinating litigation governance and management processes across the company to ensure consistency and efficiency. Prior to joining Ovintiv (Encana)in 2014, Jung was a Partner in the litigation group at Norton Rose Fulbright LLP in Calgary. While there, she focused on complex commercial litigation and arbitration, and worked with international and Canadian energy companies. Jung received her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alberta in 2001, following which, she clerked at the Alberta Court of Appeal and the Court of Queen’s Bench and articled at Macleod Dixon LLP.



 Speaking session 

Successfully managing risk in complex litigation

October 7 - 11.30 PDT

Amanda Willett

Denison Mines
Amanda Willett
Learn more ›
Amanda Willett

Vice President Legal and Corporate Secretary, Denison Mines (part of Lundin Group)


 

Amanda Willett has been Denison’s in-house counsel since 2016 and is currently Vice President Legal and Corporate Secretary. Denison is a uranium exploration and development company with interests focused in the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan and, like most mining companies, is always busy with a diverse range of operational, M&A and financing related matters. Prior to joining Denison, Ms. Willett was a securities law associate at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP in Vancouver (2011-2016) and a corporate and securities law associate with Stikeman Elliott LLP in Toronto (2008-2011). Her private practice focused on advising public and private companies on matters including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, equity offerings, securities law and stock exchange compliance and general corporate matters. Ms. Willett graduated from York University in 2007 with an LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School and an MBA degree from the Schulich School of Business. She is a member of both the Ontario and British Columbia Bars. .

 

 

 Speaking session 

Successfully managing risk in complex litigation

October 7 - 11.30 PDT

Karen L. M. Carteri

Nathanson Schachter & Thompson
Karen L. M. Carteri
Learn more ›
Karen L. M. Carteri

partner & compliance, Nathanson Schachter & Thompson


 

Karen L.M. Carteri is a trusted and tenacious trial and appellate lawyer. She joined NST as a partner in 2016 where she has continued her emergence as a leading litigator in British Columbia. Prior to joining NST, Karen was a litigation partner in the Vancouver office of a national law firm, including five years as leader of the firm’s Vancouver litigation group.

 

Karen is committed to understanding her clients’ needs and their desired outcomes. She tailors strategy, applies analysis and undertakes advocacy throughout the dispute resolution process toward procuring optimal results for her clients. She has a talent for handling and managing very complex cases. Karen’s practice includes shareholder and corporate disputes and remedies, partnership disputes, property development disputes, property title and insurance issues, work for financial institutions, work in the emerging cannabis sector and mining sector, civil forfeiture, and a wide variety of contract disputes in various industries.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Successfully managing risk in complex litigation

October 7 - 11.30 PDT

Laura Bevan

Lawson Lundell
Laura Bevan
Learn more ›
Laura Cundari

Partner, Blakes


 

Laura is a litigator practicing in all areas of civil and commercial litigation. She has appeared as both trial and appellate counsel, including before all levels of court in British Columbia, the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench, and the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as before various arbitration and administrative tribunals.

 

Laura advises and represents clients in a broad range of industries. She acts for clients in the gaming industry, the banking and securities industries and in the area of pensions and benefits. She has particular experience acting in litigation involving occupiers' liability claims, complex securities actions, civil fraud claims, shareholder's disputes and oppression remedies and professional negligence claims. Laura is also litigation counsel to pension and benefit trusts.

 

Laura also has a particular interest in franchise law, having acted for franchisors and franchisees in health care, personal care and small independent businesses.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Empowering the Next Generation of Women: Using our Skills in the Community

October 7 - 12.20 PDT

Bindu Cudjoe

Canadian Western Bank
Bindu Cudjoe
Learn more ›
Laura Cundari

Partner, Blakes


 

Bindu Cudjoe is Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for CWB Financial Group, leading teams responsible for managing legal and regulatory compliance risks and investigations across the group. As Canada’s 7th largest bank, CWB Financial Group is a diversified financial services organization providing specialized service in banking, trust and wealth management.

 

Prior to joining CWB, Bindu spent six years at BMO Financial Group serving most recently as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel – Technology and Operations & Chief Knowledge Officer. Prior to that, Bindu was a Partner with McMillan LLP in the financial services group.

 

Bindu is a frequent speaker in Canada and the U.S. on issues of innovation in the legal industry, legal operations and equity, diversity and inclusion more broadly. She is a mother of three, active in her community and currently director, Vice Chair and chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee of the Oakville Community Foundation, a founder of the Fearless Women Giving Collective, vice president and director of Women General Counsel Canada Network and a founding member of the Ryerson Law & Business Advisory Council. She is also a member of the advisory board for Alexa Translations.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Empowering the Next Generation of Women: Using our Skills in the Community

October 7 - 12.20 PDT

Jennifer Ma

Hootsuite
Jennifer Ma
Learn more ›
Jennifer Ma

director, privacy & product compliance, Hootsuite



Jennifer Ma has over 21 years’ experience in private and public sector technology organizations in the legal and privacy field. She is a strong believer in being adaptable and providing pragmatic guidance. Currently, Jennifer is the Director, Privacy & Product Compliance and Data Protection Officer at Hootsuite where she leads Hootsuite’s privacy program. Hootsuite helps organizations manage all their social media in one place. Prior to joining Hootsuite, Jennifer was Director, GRC & Privacy and Data Protection Officer at Visier, where she established the privacy function and managed GRC matters. Jennifer was also responsible as the Privacy Officer for implementing privacy practices at BCLC. She was also involved in software licensing, distributor agreements and intellectual property matters at ACL. She is a NSW, Australia, lawyer.



 Speaking session 

Fireside chat keynote: What’s next? How women GCs are getting seats on boards

October 8 - 9.10 PDT

Stephanie Hacksel

Hunter West Legal Recruitment
Stephanie Hacksel
Learn more ›
Stephanie Hacksel

partner, Hunter West Legal Recruitment


 

Stephanie Hacksel is a founding partner of Hunter West Legal Recruitment. She received her LL.B. from the University of British Columbia and was called to the bar in 1996. Her transition from practicing law to legal recruitment was made in 2000 when she joined a national recruitment agency. Then, after 18 years of helping lawyers elevate their careers, she decided to elevate her own by establishing Hunter West Legal Recruitment with the team she had worked with for over 10 years. She has never looked back.

 

Stephanie is renowned as an expert in building legal teams both in-house and with law firms. She works closely with management on issues of compensation, leadership, and diversity. She is regularly asked to speak on panels, contribute to industry publications and provide expert evidence. Her greatest pleasure is seeing her clients land the perfect candidate and then watching her candidate thrive in the role.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Building a successful in-house legal department

October 7 - 9.00 PDT

Nancy Brennan

Keyera
Nancy Brennan
Learn more ›
Nancy Brennan

SVP, general counsel, Keyera


 

Nancy L. Brennan joined Keyera as Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary in 2019. Ms. Brennan is responsible for leading Keyera’s Legal & Corporate Secretarial matters, Environmental, Social & Governance (“ESG”) strategy, External Relations (Government Relations, Indigenous Relations and Land) and Communications functions. Prior to joining Keyera, Ms. Brennan was Vice-President, Corporate Legal & Corporate Secretary at Encana Corporation. Ms. Brennan began her legal career with Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP in Calgary. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie University, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta and Human Resources & Compensation Committee designation from McMaster University. She is a member of the Law Society of Alberta. Ms. Brennan is active in the community, and currently serves on the Board of Telus Spark.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Fireside chat keynote: What’s next? How women GCs are getting seats on boards

October 8 - 9.10 PDT

Kristal Low

Guild Yule
Kristal Low
Learn more ›
Kristal Low

partner, Guild Yule


 

Kristal Low practices in the area of general commercial and insurance litigation, including the defence of health authorities, school districts, municipalities, professionals, and businesses. Her practice includes health law, medical malpractice, personal injury, property damage, occupiers’ liability matters, human rights and employment law matters. Kristal also volunteers her time providing pro bono legal services through the Access Pro Bono Clinic.

 

As part of her articles, Kristal spent a year clerking for six Justices at the Supreme Court of British Columbia. She completed her articles at a large downtown firm and practiced there for a short period before joining a downtown commercial/employment litigation boutique. Kristal was called to the B.C. Bar in 2008 and joined Guild Yule LLP in the spring of 2010. Kristal has been recognized by Benchmark Canada as a Future Star in Dispute Resolution.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Managing internal and external investigations

October 8 - 9.40 PDT

Matilde Corbacho

Parex Resources
Matilde Corbacho
Learn more ›
Matilde Corbacho

senior legal and commercial manager, Parex Resources


 

Matilde Corbacho, senior legal and commercial manager, at Parex Resources Inc., is a senior Llader with more than 20 years of experience in the law profession. Originally from Argentina, she was called to the Buenos Aires Bar in 1997, and worked in private practice for more than 8 years in the area of corporate, finance and securities law. Matilde Immigrated to Canada in 2003 and worked for Talisman Energy Inc. (now Repsol) in various roles. After obtaining her Canadian Law Degree in 2013, she got called to the Alberta Bar. She joined Parex Resources in 2014 as Senior Legal and Commercial Manager.

 

Matilde leads the legal function, managing a diverse legal team (total of 20 lawyers/JV analysts and land negotiators) based in Calgary and a foreign jurisdiction in Colombia. She manages 2 legal groups in Colombia, responsible for corporate matters, land negotiations, marketing, environmental, supply chain, government contracts, and partner contracts. In addition, she supports the Calgary office on all Canadian matters, acts as a Commercial Manager, is responsible for the transition and closing of all new deals, and legal negotiator for some M&A transactions.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Managing internal and external investigations

October 8 - 9.40 PDT

Sarah King

ENMAX Corporation
Sarah King
Learn more ›
Sarah King

manager, legal services, legal counsel, ENMAX Corporation


 

Sarah King serves as legal counsel to ENMAX, primarily in the areas of commercial litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution, investigations, and labour and employment. Sarah has 16 years of legal experience in private practice and in-house roles. Prior to joining ENMAX in 2014, Sarah practiced as a litigation associate with Dentons Canada and Parlee McLaws LLP.

 

In addition to her professional work, Sarah enjoys volunteering with a focus on the legal community, athletics, and the arts. Sarah is currently a member of the Steering Committee of the Laskin Moot, a national bilingual moot court competition in administrative and constitutional law. She previously served for 7 years as a Board Member and Governance Chair of the Calgary Marathon Society/Run Calgary. She is a jazz trumpeter and member at large of the Midnight Blue Jazz Society, a traditional big band and not-for-profit based in Calgary.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Managing internal and external investigations

October 8 - 9.40 PDT

Michelle Maniago

BLG
Michelle Maniago
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Michelle Maniago

partner, BLG



Michelle Maniago is a partner in the Disputes Group at BLG. She has a robust litigation practice, that focuses on complex commercial and corporate disputes, with significant expertise in the areas of class actions, civil litigation, arbitration and appeals. Michelle also has specialized knowledge in a variety of areas, including: corporate governance, advertising and competition law, consumer protection law, plans of arrangement and privacy law. Michelle has appeared as counsel before all courts in British Columbia, the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench, the Alberta Court of Appeal, the BC Privacy Commissioner, the Federal Privacy Commissioner, and the Youth Justice (Criminal) Court. She also has appeared as counsel before both domestic and international arbitration tribunals and has extensive experience in the defence of provincial and national class proceedings. Michelle is consistently recognized as a leader in class actions and arbitration.



 Speaking session 

The new business of litigation

October 8 - 11.00 PDT

Megan Chorlton

The Municipal Insurance Association of BC
Megan Chorlton
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Megan Chorlton

general counsel, The Municipal Insurance Association of BC


 

Megan Chorlton’s career path has taken a number of twists and turns over the years. She obtained a B.Ed from McGill University and a M.Ed. from the University of Alberta in the 1990’s followed by seven years of teaching. She returned to school in 2002 to obtain a LLB from the University of Alberta, then clerked for the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench and the Alberta Court of Appeal. Megan was called to the bar in British Columbia in 2007.

 

After specializing in municipal and insurance defence litigation while working at a large regional law firm for seven years, Megan joined the Municipal Insurance Association of British Columbia (MIABC) as a staff lawyer in 2013. Her career veered in an interesting direction in 2014 when she was appointed as the Director of Member Services. Presently, Megan acts as both the Director of Member Services and the MIABC’s General Counsel.

 

 

 Speaking session 

The new business of litigation

October 8 - 11.00 PDT

Annie Lespérance

Omni Bridgeway
Annie Lespérance
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Annie Lespérance

associate investment manager and legal counsel, Omni Bridgeway


 

Annie Lespérance is an Associate Investment Manager and Legal Counsel in Omni Bridgeway's Montreal office, where she sources and assesses investments in international arbitration and commercial litigation matters. She works with litigants to structure funding deals that address their unique needs and provide them insights, when requested, as their cases progress.

 

Prior to joining Omni, Annie was a lawyer at Cabinet Yves Fortier and the Permanent Court of Arbitration where she acted as Secretary to Tribunals in commercial, investor-State and sports arbitrations under various procedural rules and governing laws.

 

Annie has been appointed as an arbitrator and mediator and is a member of various arbitration rosters, including the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (Annex 10-B.1), the Canadian Free Trade Agreement and ICDR Canada's panel of arbitrators. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and was recognized in 2020 in the Future Leaders category of Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2021.

 

 

 Speaking session 

The new business of litigation

October 8 - 11.00 PDT

Stacey Blyth

Alitis Investment Counsel
Stacey Blyth
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Stacey Blyth

chief compliance officer, Alitis Investment Counsel


 

Stacey Blyth is the Chief Compliance Officer at Alitis Investment Counsel. For 20 years she has played an interpretive role in business, balancing sales objectives with legal and regulatory obligations in Securities, Insurance, Asset Management, Banking, Alternative Lending and Internet Commerce.

 

As a Financial Crime and Compliance professional Stacey's leadership style is distinguished by her collaborative approach, focusing on Regulatory Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering, Privacy, Fraud and Cyber Security; while offering experienced judgment in areas of regulatory alignment including Compliance-Strategy, Change Management, Policy Development, Training, Breach Response and Investigation.

 

Returning to her hometown of beautiful Victoria, BC. she joined Alitis in 2017 after working domestically and internationally from Vancouver, Toronto and the Caribbean. Stacey is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP-C), and associate member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. She completed her MBA at Queen’s University.

 

 

 Speaking session 

The role legal plays in combatting business crimes and building an ethical organization

October 8 - 12.10 PDT

Andrea Bosse

Enbridge
Andrea Bosse
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Andrea Bosse

managing legal counsel, ethics & compliance, Enbridge


 

Andrea Bosse currently holds the position of Managing Legal Counsel in Enbridge’s Ethics & Compliance department, and has approximately 26 years of legal experience, the majority of which has been in the in-house legal environment, and primarily in ethics and compliance.

 

She previously held the positions of Senior Legal Counsel, Chief Compliance & Privacy Officer at Alliance Pipeline; Director, Corporate Compliance & Associate General Counsel at TransCanada Pipelines (now TC Energy); and Senior Legal Counsel, Olefins/Polyolefins & Compliance at NOVA Chemicals.

 

In her current role, Andrea manages a team responsible for the Statement on Business Conduct as well as the anti-bribery & anti-corruption, competition law, affiliate relationships, energy marketing and third party risk programs, as well as for overseeing ethics & compliance matters for Enbridge’s European affiliates.

 

 

 Speaking session 

The role legal plays in combatting business crimes and building an ethical organization

October 8 - 12.10 PDT

Erin Nicholas

Lululemon Athletica
Erin Nicholas
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Erin Nicholas

VP, legal and corporate secretary, Lululemon Athletica


 

Erin Nicholas is the VP, Legal and Corporate Secretary of lululemon athletica inc., an athletica apparel company. Ms. Nicholas joined lululemon in 2010 as Corporate Secretary. Prior to joining lululemon, she spent five years at Vancity, a Vancouver based credit union, and was previously an associate at two national law firms. She earned her LLB from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Acadia University. She is a member of both the Ontario and British Columbia Bars.

 

 

 Speaking session 

The role legal plays in combatting business crimes and building an ethical organization

October 8 - 12.10 PDT

Kellie Scott

College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC
Kellie Scott
Learn more ›
Kellie Scott

deputy registrar, Deputy registrar, College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC


 

Kellie Scott is the Deputy Registrar at the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia. She is a member of the executive leadership team and oversees the College’s investigation practices, regulatory compliance, policy development and government affairs. A primary part of her focus is maintaining relationships with key stakeholders and developing solutions and practices to support and meet the College’s mandate of public protection. Kellie is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia and has nearly a decade of personal injury litigation experience in both Australia and Canada. She obtained her Bachelor of Laws, with honours, from the James Cook University in 2011.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Empowering the Next Generation of Women: Using our Skills in the Community

October 7 - 12.20 PDT

Catherine M. Scott

Thinkific
Catherine Scott
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Catherine M. Scott

corporate counsel, Thinkific



Catherine (or Scotty, as she is often known), is a senior corporate commercial lawyer, trusted advisor and former executive of a global technology company. As an experienced in-house counsel, Scotty provides proactive, business-friendly advice to all types and levels of business, legal, and technology clients. Scotty’s goal is to help her clients with their legal needs, so that her clients can get where they need to go, legally.


As a Financial Crime and Compliance professional Stacey's leadership style is distinguished by her collaborative approach, focusing on Regulatory Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering, Privacy, Fraud and Cyber Security; while offering experienced judgment in areas of regulatory alignment including Compliance-Strategy, Change Management, Policy Development, Training, Breach Response and Investigation.


Returning to her hometown of beautiful Victoria, BC. she joined Alitis in 2017 after working domestically and internationally from Vancouver, Toronto and the Caribbean. Stacey is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP-C), and associate member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. She completed her MBA at Queen’s University.



 Speaking session 

The role legal plays in combatting business crimes and building an ethical organization

October 8 - 12.10 PDT

ATTENDEE PROFILE

The Forum welcomes over 200 women litigators and lawyers every year and now that the event is virtual, we expect more participation than ever on a global scale. As an in-house focused event, the event welcomes all seniority levels, from those just starting in the careers to those at the top of it. The event is inclusive and men are also welcome to join to hear more on the substantive topics.
Attendees
Delegate experience
Equal attendance
"The breadth of topics are very useful for in-house counsel.

 

"Excellent presentations from 'real life' stories. Loved hearing the career paths and practical tips [from others]. [The event was] interactive, very open and honest speakers with a collaborative approach to the presentations.

 

"It was all women and it felt empowering as well share similar struggles as women in our legal practice.

 

Speakers

If you feel you have something to contribute or would like to position yourself as an expert in your field, please get in touch with Melody Mok for corporate speaking enquiries or James Murray for law firm or service provider opportunities.

Errol Bong

Noble Group
Errol Bong
Learn more ›
Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble


 

Errol Bong is head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group Holdings.

 

Bong is an experienced lawyer qualified in Australia, Washington State, New York, Hong Kong and England. He has spent over 17 years advising on legal and regulatory issues relevant to global markets and investment banking.

 

Bong has worked on numerous transactions related to commodities, restructuring, asset management, derivative securities, OTC derivatives, futures, securities, repos and stock borrowing and lending.

 

 Speaking session 

M&A outlook and opportunities in the wake of unprecedented times

Monday, June 15 - 11.00-12.00 HKT

Garth Bray

Sullivan & Cromwell

Garth Bray
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Garth Bray

Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell


 

Garth Bray is a member of Sullivan & Cromwell’s mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance groups and has extensive experience in complex cross-border M&A, joint venture and capital markets transactions, as well as in corporate governance and compliance matters. He has been based in Asia since 2009 and focuses on matters arising out of S&C’s Tokyo, Beijing and Hong Kong offices.

Representative recent assignments include acting for Advance in its definitive stock purchase agreement with Wanda Sports Group to acquire The IRONMAN Group; the shareholders of Woowa Brothers Corp. (Korea) in their agreement with Delivery Hero SE (Germany) in connection with Delivery Hero’s announced acquisition of Woowa; Signify (The Netherlands) in its acquisition of Cooper Lighting Solutions from Eaton (U.S./Ireland); Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI) in the formation of joint ventures with Jebsen Beverage Company Limited to manufacture and distribute Blue Girl brand beer in China and to manage the Blue Girl beer brand internationally; Deutsche Bank, Citi and Morgan Stanley as placement agents for Ant Financial in its approximately US$14 billion Series C equity financing; and Booking Holdings in various investments in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

 Speaking session 

Deal making lessons learned from the Covid-19 crisis

Friday, June 19 - 11.30-12.30 HKT

Wilson Chu

IPBA
Wilson Chu
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Wilson Chu

Conference chair, IPBA

Partner, McDermott Will & Emery



Wilson Chu focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures and other strategic transactions, as well as related corporate governance, for clients ranging from Fortune 500 serial acquirers to private equity funds and high-growth, high-profile technology companies in the United States and abroad. While he has experience in a wide range of industries, his practice is heavily weighted in the technology and health care sectors, with an emphasis on the converging fields of healthtech and fintech.


 Speaking session 

The importance of deal protection mechanisms

Wednesday, June 17 - 11.00-12.00 HKT

Richard Climan

Hogan Lovells
Richard Climan
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Richard Climan

Partner, Hogan Lovells



Richard E. Climan is an M&A partner in the Silicon Valley office of the international law firm of Hogan Lovells. He has handled some of the most prominent and industry-changing acquisitions in the technology and life sciences sectors over the past three decades. He has been described as "one of the best legal minds in M&A" and a "gold-standard transactional lawyer."

Since joining Hogan Lovells in 2017, Climan acted as lead transactional counsel to Walmart in its US$16 billion cross-border acquisition of a 77% stake in India-based Flipkart (the largest e-commerce M&A transaction in history) and as lead transactional counsel to Marvell Technology Group in its US$6 billion acquisition of Cavium.


 Speaking session 

Negotiating contentious M&A issues in US-style acquisition agreements

Friday, June 19 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Erika Evasdottir

HKCCA

Erika Evasdottir
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Erika Evasdottir

Director, Hong Kong Corporate Counsel Association



Erika Evasdottir is currently director and co-chair of the Association of Corporate Counsel's Hong Kong chapter. She currently contracts out as in-house counsel and compliance officer, and often operations as well, all to ensure clients have the licensing, governance regimes and other procedures in place to allow the business to concentrate on what they do best. The goal is to promote the growth of the company and its ability to explore new products and markets quickly and efficiently without sacrificing internal controls. By bringing her experience in corporate and fund transactions to bear, Evasdottir also reviews investment opportunities and structures funds and downstream investments with an eye to avoiding regulatory, compliance and legal pitfalls.

Evasdottir began her legal career as a ECM/DCM (underwriter’s counsel) capital markets lawyer at Milbank and Paul Hastings, but quickly found her true calling in private equity, M&A and funds structuring at Weil Gotshal. Her practical and real work experience comes from being seconded as business development to an infrastructure fund to take them from a small Australian fund to a global behemoth while complying with relevant marketing rules, and then as general counsel and compliance officer (Asia) of two US headquartered hedge funds (and thereby fully experiencing both the up and down cycles). She then became interested in fintech through working at Origin-X Capital as an outsourced GC and compliance officer for start-ups and funds in the fintech space.

Evasdottir additionally teaches at CUHK, has a PhD from Harvard in anthropology and archaeology (China), a JD from Columbia, and is admitted in New York and Hong Kong. Her book is titled “Obedient Autonomy: Chinese Intellectuals and the Achievement of Orderly Life”.

 

 Speaking session 

Getting private equity deals done in a brave new world

Thursday, June 18 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Raymond Goh

China Tourism Group
Raymond Goh
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Joel Greenberg

Senior counsel, Arnold & Porter


 

Joel Greenberg concentrates in US and cross-border mergers and acquisitions of public and private companies, representation of financial sponsors, and securities transactions. He also advises publicly held and private companies on a wide variety of corporate governance and day-to-day corporate as well as transactional matters. He is a former chair (2006-2009) of the Committee on Mergers & Acquisitions of the American Bar Association Section of Business Law.

Greenberg is a frequent lecturer on mergers and acquisitions topics, and has spoken at programs sponsored by the American Bar Association, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the Association of Corporate Counsel, the Center for International Legal Studies, Columbia Law School, Cornell Law School, Harvard Law School, the Inter-Pacific Bar Association, International Financial Law Review, Law Journal Seminars, Penn State Dickinson School of Law, Practising Law Institute, Stanford Law School, UCLA School of Law, University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, University of Miami School of Law and University of Texas School of Law. He co-chairs the annual National Institute on Negotiating Business Acquisitions, presented by ABA's Section of Business Law.

 

 Speaking session 

Negotiating contentious M&A issues in US-style acquisition agreements

Friday, June 19 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Joel Greenberg

Arnold & Porter
Joel Greenberg
Learn more ›
Joel Greenberg

Senior counsel, Arnold & Porter


 

Joel Greenberg concentrates in US and cross-border mergers and acquisitions of public and private companies, representation of financial sponsors, and securities transactions. He also advises publicly held and private companies on a wide variety of corporate governance and day-to-day corporate as well as transactional matters. He is a former chair (2006-2009) of the Committee on Mergers & Acquisitions of the American Bar Association Section of Business Law.

Greenberg is a frequent lecturer on mergers and acquisitions topics, and has spoken at programs sponsored by the American Bar Association, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the Association of Corporate Counsel, the Center for International Legal Studies, Columbia Law School, Cornell Law School, Harvard Law School, the Inter-Pacific Bar Association, International Financial Law Review, Law Journal Seminars, Penn State Dickinson School of Law, Practising Law Institute, Stanford Law School, UCLA School of Law, University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, University of Miami School of Law and University of Texas School of Law. He co-chairs the annual National Institute on Negotiating Business Acquisitions, presented by ABA's Section of Business Law.

 

 Speaking session 

Negotiating contentious M&A issues in US-style acquisition agreements

Friday, June 19 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Areej Hamadah

Legal Challenges

Areej Hamadah
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Areej Hamadah

President, Legal Challenges Group



Areej Hamadah is a Kuwaiti lawyer with more than 20 years of experience. She worked as a lawyer for Ahli United Bank for 13 years. She moved to work for the government sector for a full year, In 2017, she established her own office under the name of Legal Challenges Group. In 2019, the Legal Challenges Magazine was established to be part of the activity of the law office.

Hamadah was honoured by the World Bank in appreciation of her contribution to doing the business 2020 report.

She was honoured by the Jahra Governorate in Kuwait.

 

 Speaking session 

Presentation: Corporate M&A in the Arab Gulf States

Tuesday, June 16 - 15.00-15.30 HKT

Laura Hannon

CompareAsia Group

Laura Hannon
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Laura Hannon

General counsel, CompareAsia Group



Laura Hannon is General Counsel for CompareAsia Group. In her role as general counsel, she leads CompareAsia Group’s cross-jurisdictional legal department and advises the company on a wide range of legal and business issues across all six of its Asian markets.

Prior to joining CompareAsia Group, Hannon was in private practice at the international law firm, Maples and Calder, in Dublin, Ireland where she was a member of the firm’s corporate practice group, representing private companies in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, venture capital, securities and corporate governance matters. Hannon also has extensive experience advising institutional financial investors and private equity investors investing in and acquiring Irish assets.

Hannon received both her bachelor’s degree and post-graduate degree from the National University of Galway, Ireland. She qualified as a lawyer in Ireland in 2013. Hannon currently resides in Hong Kong.

 

 Speaking session 

How tech companies have changed the M&A game

Wednesday, June 17 - 11.00-12.00 HKT

William Hay

William Hay & Co

William Hay
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William Hay

Managing director, William Hay & Co


 

William Hay is advisor to private investors and their portfolio companies on legal and related stra-tegic issues arising from fund raising, mergers & acquisitions, leveraged finance and stock market listings and other forms of exit.

Hay's previous experience includes serving as general counsel of Baring Private Equity Asia, a lead-ing Asia-based private equity firm with US$10 billion under management. Prior to joining Baring, he held similar positions in with GE Capital Asia and Colony Capital. He has acquired and turned around a distressed hotel in China, and represented Chinese firms in their offshore investments. Will was a partner in a Wall Street law firm before relocating to Hong Kong in 1995.

Hay's transactional experience includes private equity, real estate, distressed debt, venture capital and other acquisitions and investments across greater China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia. He has structured and managed private equity and real estate funds in Asia, and is an expert in risk and compliance issues in the region.

Hay received his BA from UC Berkeley in 1973, his AM from Harvard’s East Asian Regional Studies program in 1978 and his JD magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1982. Hay is a qualified lawyer in Hong Kong and New York and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

 

 Speaking session 

Opportunistic M&A for distressed companies

Tuesday, June 16 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Patricia Ho

WeLab

Patricia Ho
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Patricia Ho

Acting general counsel, WeLab


 

Patricia Ho is the acting group general counsel for WeLab, a leading home-grown fintech company with one of the first virtual banks established in Hong Kong. WeLab provides seamless digital financial services to over 40 million individual customers, as well as B2B enterprise solutions to offer fintech-enabled solutions in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Indonesia.

As part of the WeLab group executive committee, Ho is the lead legal advisor on WeLab Group’s fundraising activities, business partnerships, corporate governance, data privacy compliance framework and intellectual property strategy. Ho is a founding member of WeLab virtual bank and key contributor on regulatory, compliance and risk issues leading up to the grant of the virtual bank licence. She built the legal and compliance function of the WeLab virtual bank from the ground up, setting up a full team of legal, regulatory and AML compliance professionals. She also actively manages key stakeholders relationship, including the dialogue with regulators and engagement with board members.

Prior to joining WeLab, Ho was head of regulatory for private wealth solutions at HSBC Private Bank and senior legal counsel at HSBC Global Banking and Markets. Before going in-house, Ho was with Linklaters in London, Hong Kong and Shanghai, where she specialised in derivatives, structured finance, financial regulations and PRC cross-border financial markets infrastructure.

 

 Speaking session 

How tech companies have changed the M&A game

Wednesday, June 17 - 11.30-12.30 HKT

Michael Horman

NISI
Michael Horman
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Michael Horman

Director of corporate finance & legal, NISI


 

Michael Horman has more than 17 years of experience advising on transactions and investments in APAC and EMEA, specialising in mergers & acquisitions, corporate finance, start-up funding, joint ventures and private equity. He is currently the director of corporate finance & legal at Hong Kong-based medtech company NISI.

Prior to joining NISI he was a corporate partner in Baker McKenzie's Hong Kong office and has been based in Hong Kong for over 10 years.

 

 Speaking session 

How tech companies have changed the M&A game

Wednesday, June 17 - 11.30-12.30 HKT

Bo Huo

Tencent
Bo Huo
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Bo Huo

Senior legal counsel, M&A, Tencent



Bo Huo is a senior legal counsel of Tencent Holdings and constantly advises the group on complex cross-border mergers and acquisitions, public takeovers, growth equity investments and fund incorporation & management matters. Huo’s experience covered various jurisdictions including the US, Canada, UK, France, Sweden, India, Korea, Japan, Greater China, etc. and expands a wide range of industries, including fintech, telecommunications, entertainment, healthcare and consumer goods, etc. Huo is qualified to practice laws in Hong Kong and New York.

Before joining Tencent, Huo worked as the GC of a New York based venture capital fund and practiced laws with a US Biglaw firm for several years, with her practice focused on M&A, funds and acquisition financing, and capital market transactions. Huo is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

 

 Speaking session 

Getting private equity deals done in a brave new world

Thursday, June 18 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Kenneth Koo

Citi Orient
Kenneth Koo
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Kenneth Koo

Deputy general manager, Citi Orient



Kenneth Koo is deputy general manager & Citi’s chief representative at Citi Orient Securities, where he is a key member of its senior management committee, transaction approval committee and transaction selection committee. He also heads the cross border department which is responsible for international and domestic corporate clients, particularly clients of Citi. Koo was managing director in the chairman’s office for Citigroup Asia Pacific and spearheads Citi’s strategic cooperation with Orient Securities, including the negotiation and formation of the Citi Orient joint venture. He has held several senior positions at Citi, including Asia co-head of strategic M&A, Asia co-head of corporate finance, investment banking division, Asia IBD chief operating officer, and was a member of the management and operating committees for Asia corporate & investment banking.


Koo has over 20 years’ experience in investment banking in Asia and the US and has advised on numerous capital markets transactions, privatisations, and M&A for US, European and Asian corporations across multiple industries, including Legend Holdings (Lenovo), Ping An Insurance, Shandong International Power, SinoTrans, China Aluminum, Mass Transit Railway Corporation, Hutchison Telecom and Hopewell Holdings.


Prior to joining Citi in 2001, he was an executive director in the investment banking division of Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong and New York. During 1990-1993, he was deputy head of the listing division at The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEx), and head of the China Listing Affairs Unit, where his responsibilities included the negotiation and establishment of the HKEx's landmark regulatory framework for the international “H shares” equity offerings by mainland Chinese state-owned enterprises. Prior to working at the HKEx, he was a banking & finance attorney with two major law firms in New York advising on a wide range of financing transactions, including LBOs, leveraged recapitalisations and corporate restructurings.


Koo holds B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania School of Law.


 Speaking session 

Opportunistic M&A for distressed companies

Tuesday, June 16 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Ying Liu

J. P. Morgan
Ying Liu
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Ying Liu

Executive director, APAC regional head of escrow sales and business development, J.P. Morgan



Ying Liu is an executive director and the APAC regional head of escrow sales and business development at J.P. Morgan.

Prior to her current role with the escrow team, Liu was an executive director in J.P. Morgan's investment banking department with a focus on M&A and capital market execution. Previously, Liu was a managing director at CSIP Group, a China cross-border M&A boutique and private equity joint venture between CITIC Securities in China and Evercore Partners in the US. Before CSIP, Liu was with UBS’s investment banking department in New York and Hong Kong as an industry coverage banker and M&A banker. She started her investment banking career at Salomon Brothers and then BT Wolfensohn in New York.

Liu graduated from Wellesley College, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, with a BA in biochemistry and economics, and from Harvard Business School with an MBA.

 

 Speaking session 

The importance of deal protection mechanisms

Wednesday, June 17 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Sara Marchetta

Chiomenti
Sara Marchetta
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Sara Marchetta

Partner, Chiomenti



Sara Marchetta joined the firm in 2008, became a partner in 2011 and since then she has been the Beijing resident partner of the firm.

Marchetta mainly provides assistance to Chinese and Italian and clients in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, cross border contracts (joint ventures, technology transfers) and other transactional matters. She was involved in the assistance for the major Chinese investments into Italy and she regularly advises a number of Italian MNCs in their cross-border investments into China, including investment agreements, corporate governance and compliance matters./font>

Her expertise includes investment agreements, corporate governance and shareholders agreements with relevant disputes, international commercial contracts and technology transfers, including joint ventures and cooperation projects between Italian and Chinese companies, in different industrial sectors..

 

 Speaking session 

The importance of deal protection mechanisms

Wednesday, June 17 - 11.00-12.00 HKT

Michael Maté

Seawood Resources
Michael Mate
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Michael Maté

Director, Seawood Resources



Michael Maté is currently a director at Seawood, a Manila-based private equity firm. Prior to Seawood, Maté was the head of structured finance and debt products at BPI Capital, the leading Philippine investment bank, where he advised on some of the most significant leveraged and management buyouts, acquisition finance and structured finance transactions in the country. Maté began his career as an M&A lawyer, working both at Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco and at Romulo Law Office in Manila.


Maté holds an LL.M. from Harvard Law School, a B.A. from Duke University, and a J.D. from Ateneo Law School.


 Speaking session 

Getting private equity deals done in a brave new world

Thursday, June 18, 10.00-11.00 HKT

Ong Eu Jin

Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership
Ong Eu Jin
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Ong Eu Jin

Head of capital markets and M&A, Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership



Ong is actively involved in various M&A as well as debt and equity capital market transactions in Malaysia including transactions with cross-border elements. His practice encompasses fundraising exercises such as initial public offerings (IPOs), rights issues as well as bond and Sukuk issuances. He has advised and acted for listed corporations, REITs, investment banks as well as applicants for listing to both the Malaysian and foreign stock exchanges. Aside from Malaysian IPOs, he has also acted as the Malaysian solicitor for local companies seeking listing in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and he was recently involved in a client’s successful listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to her current role with the escrow team, Liu was an executive director in J.P. Morgan's investment banking department with a focus on M&A and capital market execution. Previously, Liu was a managing director at CSIP Group, a China cross-border M&A boutique and private equity joint venture between CITIC Securities in China and Evercore Partners in the US. Before CSIP, Liu was with UBS’s investment banking department in New York and Hong Kong as an industry coverage banker and M&A banker. She started her investment banking career at Salomon Brothers and then BT Wolfensohn in New York.

Ong served a seven year stint as chief operating officer of a subsidiary of a financial services group before returning to legal practice. He has been both executive and independent director of companies regulated by the Securities Commission Malaysia. He has also previously served on the Board of the Financial Planning Association of Malaysia as its Honorary Secretary.

Ong is qualified as a solicitor (England & Wales) and holds an LLM degree from University College London.

 

 Speaking session 

Deal making lessons learned from the Covid-19 crisis

Friday, June 19 - 11.30-12.30 HKT

Martin Rock

Commerzbank
Martin Rock
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Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank


 

Martin Rock is a director in M&A at Commerzbank in Hong Kong. He focuses on Asia-Europe cross-border transactions with clients in healthcare, chemicals and industrials sectors in China, Japan and Southeast Asia.

Prior experience in heading the Dresdner Kleinwort chemicals and related industries sector group based in London before moving to Asia. He has previous experience in corporate finance, M&A and PMI working for Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) based in continental Europe. Before that, was a vice president for J.P. Morgan in M&A and worked at the strategy consultancy Nexant.

He holds a Ph.D from Cambridge University.

 

 Speaking session 

M&A outlook and opportunities in the wake of unprecedented times

Monday, June 15 - 11.00-12.00 HKT

Frédéric Ruppert

FR Law – Avocat; IPBA

Frederic Ruppert
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Frédéric Ruppert

Attorney at law, FR Law – Avocat; co-chair of CBIC, IPBA



Frederic Ruppert's practice mostly focuses on M&A and private equity and also extends to other corporate and business matters: joint ventures, strategic corporate investment, corporate reorganization, structured financing, corporate governance.

Managing partner and founder of FR Law – Avocat, Ruppert collaborates with lawyers of all trades worldwide with one goal in mind: successful business and corporate transactions for the clients, whether they are corporations, financial investors, managers or high net worth individuals.

Ruppert is a graduate of University of Law of Paris – Panthéon Assas and holds an MBA in Finance from California State University East Bay.

Ruppert is a member of both the California and Paris Bars as well as holds dual French and US citizenship.

A recognized practitioner, he is co–chair of the cross–border investment committee of the Inter–Pacific Bar Association, where he regularly speaks and moderates panels on various topics interesting M&A and private equity.


 Speaking session 

Deal making lessons learned from the Covid-19 crisis

Friday, June 19 - 11.30-12.30 HKT

Brent Snyder

Competition Commission (HK)
Brent Snyder
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Brent Snyder

CEO, Competition Commission (HK)



Brent Snyder was appointed to the position of chief executive officer of the Competition Commission (Hong Kong) in September 2017.

Prior to joining the Commission, Snyder served in the antitrust division of the United States Department of Justice from 2003 until 2017, first as a trial attorney playing a key role in the division’s criminal matters, and as deputy assistant attorney general (DAAG) from 2013 until 2017. In his capacity as DAAG, Snyder headed the criminal enforcement function overseeing enforcement, prosecutions, leniency and other policy work. Snyder twice received the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service and was awarded an Antitrust Division Award of Distinction.

Prior to joining the government, Snyder practiced law at Paul Hastings in Los Angeles and Perkins Coie in Seattle where he was a partner.


 Speaking session 

Keynote address: Competition Commission Hong Kong

Monday, June 15 - 10.00-10.30 HKT

Brian Snyder

Morrison & Foerster

Brian Snyder
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Brian Snyder

of Counsel, Morrison & Foerster


 

Brian Snyder is of counsel in the Corporate Department of Morrison & Foerster’s London and Hong Kong offices.

Brian’s practice focuses on international M&A and private equity matters, including mergers, acquisitions, sales, joint ventures, strategic investments, pre-IPO financings, and related corporate and securities matters. Brian also has experience in financing and restructuring transactions.

Brian has worked in New York, Hong Kong and London for corporate and financial sponsor clients in a range of industries, including TMT, biotech, food and beverage, financial services, energy, retail and manufacturing. He is a registered foreign lawyer with the Law Society of Hong Kong.

 

 Speaking session 

The importance of deal protection mechanisms

Wednesday, June 17 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Chloe Sung

ZhongAn Technologies

Chloe Sung
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Chloe Sung

General counsel, ZhongAn



Chloe Sung is an accomplished in-house counsel with extensive experience advising multinationals in mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments and joint ventures. Sung is currently working as general counsel of a unit of ZhongAn - China’s largest online insurance company, where she is heavily involved in the forefront of Hong Kong’s developing fintech industry. Sung’s work focuses on virtual banking, virtual insurance, and the group’s joint ventures and strategic investment.

Prior to joining ZhongAn, Sung acted as in-house counsel for a global bank where she counselled on its mergers and acquisitions, investment and joint ventures in the Asia Pacific region. Thereafter, she joined an international firm in their alternative legal services division, where she was seconded to a global investment bank advising on its divestments and disposals in the Asia Pacific region.

Whilst in private practice, Sung advised in the areas of corporate, mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments, restructuring and investment trust, where her clients included sovereign wealth funds, government-linked investment companies, global banks, public listed companies and multinational corporations.

 Speaking session 

How tech companies have changed the M&A game

Wednesday, June 17 - 11.00-12.00 HKT

Gen Takahashi

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune

Gen Takahashi
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Gen Takahashi

Partner, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune



Gen Takahashi is a partner at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, and his practice focuses on M&A and corporate transactions. He is currently based in Tokyo, Japan.

Takahashi handles a variety of corporate matters with a particular focus on cross-border (both inbound and outbound) M&A transactions involving Japanese entities. He provides thorough and practical legal advice based on his experience of working in Singapore and Australia, as well as at a major securities firm in Japan.

Takahashi’s other major areas of practice encompass domestic M&A deals including public deals, joint venture/ start-ups, general corporate, anti-trust and commercial contracts. He also regularly advises on labor and dispute resolution matters for domestic and overseas clients.

Takahashi is a graduate of Columbia Law School (LL.M., 2013) and the University of Tokyo (LLB, 2006), and is admitted as a lawyer in Japan and New York. He has an experience of working for an M&A advisory department of a major securities firm in Japan as a secondee, and was associated with Clayton Utz, Sydney, Australia, for one year. He also worked at the Singapore Office of Anderson Mori & Tomotsune from 2015 to 2016, before he returned to Tokyo.


 Speaking session 

Deal making lessons learned from the Covid-19 crisis

Friday, June 19 - 11.30-12.30 HKT

Peter Wittmann

Asia-IO

Peter Wittman
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Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO


 

Peter Wittmann is a managing director with Asia-IO, the international investment office of ACE Equity Partners, a Korean-headquartered private equity manager.

Wittmann has more than 20 years’ experience in technology and technology investments, particularly in Asia and Europe where he worked for some of the most renowned investors in this space. In Asia, Wittmann has been focusing on cross-border technology transactions, having worked for some of China’s largest investors in this field, including the international investment arm of Tsinghua’s TUS Holding (AUM US$ 30 Billion) and outbound private equity firm Sailing Capital. Prior to that, Wittmann has been working in venture capital for Fraunhofer, Germany’s premier government research institution. He remains a venture partner with FTTF, Fraunhofer’s newly launched VC focusing on research-driven technology transfer. He started his career with BMW Group where he worked on numerous transformative global supply chain projects for more than seven years.

Wittmann holds an MBA from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and an MSc in Computer Science from TUM Germany.

 

 Speaking session 

M&A outlook and opportunities in the wake of unprecedented times

Monday, June 15 - 11.00-12.00 HKT

Eric Xin

CITIC Capital
Eric Xin
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Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital


 

Biography coming soon.

 

 Speaking session 

M&A outlook and opportunities in the wake of unprecedented times

Monday, June 15 - 11.00-12.00 HKT

Stanley Yang

First Pacific
Stanley Yang
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Stanley Yang

EVP, head of Group M&A, First Pacific


 

Stanley Yang received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He oversees the Group’s corporate development activities including mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments, joint ventures, and other portfolio company growth initiatives. Prior to joining First Pacific, Yang worked at Deutsche Bank where he led investment banking coverage for the diversified industrial sector in Asia. He also previously served as a director in Deutsche Bank’s mergers and acquisitions department, where he advised clients on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and leveraged investment transactions in Asia and the United States. Yang began his career in New York where he gained transaction experience in principal investments and investment banking. He joined First Pacific in 2013 and is currently a Director of PacificLight Power.

 

 Speaking session 

Getting private equity deals done in a brave new world

Thursday, June 18 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

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