Event information
Theme: Canadian Businesses at Crossroads: Trade, Tariffs and Strategic Response
Legal 500 is proud to present the Canada GC Forum 2026, in partnership with Miller Thomson LLP. The forum is designed for general counsel, chief legal officers, and senior in-house lawyers with responsibility for commercial, regulatory, compliance, or cross-border matters, particularly those managing exposure to U.S. trade policy and international supply chains or M& A in a volatile environment, and exploring new pathways for international market entry, expansion strategies, and strategic partnerships across key global regions.
Overview
The framework that governed cross-border trade for a generation is no longer holding. For Canadian businesses, tariffs, retaliatory trade measures, shifting US trade policy, sanctions, and geopolitical tension have moved from background concern to front-and-centre of commercial reality. What was once predictable is now fluid, and the pace of change is showing no sign of slowing.
The pace and complexity of these developments are increasing the pressure on general counsel. Decisions that would once have involved careful long-term deliberations now arrive under pressure, with incomplete information, and direct commercial and strategic consequences for the business.
This forum brings together Canada’s most senior in-house counsel for a candid peer-level discussion on what this era demands. The agenda is structured around the key questions GCs are grappling with now. How do you advise leadership when the goalposts keep moving? How do you build resilience into contracts, operations before the next disruption? And how do you position legal as a strategic function at precisely the moment when the business needs it most?
The forum moves beyond theory to examine how GCs are responding today, and what they should be doing to manage tariff exposure, support commercial decision-making, and position their organisations in an increasingly fragmented global environment.
Agenda
1.30pm-2.00pm Registration & light lunch
2.00pm-2.10pm Opening remarks
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- Carmen Godoy Martín, events content editor, Legal 500
- Kelly Charlebois, managing partner, Toronto office, Miller Thomson
2.10pm-3.00pm The world has changed. Has your strategy? Trade, tariffs, and finding new ground beyond the U.S.
Here is the uncomfortable truth that this session starts with: most Canadian businesses are unlikely to successfully diversify away from the U.S. market. Not because the trade agreements are inadequate. Canada has more of them than any other G7 nation, covering markets from the European Union to the Asia-Pacific to Latin America. Not because the opportunities are absent, but because building genuine commercial capability in unfamiliar markets requires a kind of organisational rewiring that most businesses have neither the time nor the appetite for right now, when the immediate tariff crisis is still consuming all available attention.
That is the tension at the heart of this session. The business needs to manage today’s exposure while simultaneously building for a different future. Legal is being asked to support both – to renegotiate contracts, restructure supply chains, and advise on a trade agreement review whose outcome remains genuinely unclear, while also helping the organisation develop the legal and compliance infrastructure to operate credibly in markets it has largely ignored for thirty years.
The discussion does not pretend that those two demands are easily reconciled. It asks instead how the best GCs are making the choices. What gets prioritised, what gets deferred, and what that means for the organisation’s strategic position in two or three years’ time.
The legal and operational complexity of executing this shift is something that relatively few organisations have genuine expertise in, and confronting that reality sits at the core of this conversation.
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- Dan Kiselbach, partner, Miller Thomson
- Christelle Gedeon, chief business development & corporate affairs officer, Canopy Growth Corporation
- Conni Gibson, group head, general counsel & corporate secretary, Interac
- Kerri Pope, general counsel & corporate secretary, Martinrea International Inc.
3.00pm-3.50pm The strategic GC influence, authority, and the limits of both leading through geopolitical risk when the rules keep changing
Do the boards and leadership teams who say they want a strategic general counsel actually mean it?
Because the evidence is mixed. GCs are being invited into conversations they were not part of five years ago. They are being asked for views on geopolitical risk, market entry, and deal strategy. But being consulted is not the same as having influence. And there is a version of the “strategic GC” that is, on closer inspection, a highly capable person who is strategically fluent enough to be useful in a meeting, but whose advice is ultimately optional – sought when convenient, deferred around when it is not.
The current environment is testing that distinction in real time. Decisions about tariff exposure, supply chain restructuring, cross-border transactions, and market diversification are being made quickly, under pressure, with significant consequences if they go wrong. Legal is in the room. The question is whether legal is changing the outcome or providing sophisticated cover for decisions the business has already made.
This session is for GCs who are honest about that tension and want to work through what genuine strategic influence requires. Not the theory of it, but the practice – how you build the internal credibility that makes your advice hard to ignore, how you advise with authority when the situation is genuinely uncertain, and how you hold the line on risk without becoming the person who is known for slowing things down. And additionally, how do you build the future of in-house legal?
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- Barry Horne, partner, Miller Thomson
- Max Spearn, partner and M&A lead, Miller Thomson
- Jeanette Lee, general counsel and corporate secretary, Arterra Wines Canada
- Mark Galati, global director, contracts and corporate legal services, Hatch
- Maja Czubernat, general counsel, chief compliance officer, chief privacy officer, Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.
3.50pm-4.00pm Closing remarks
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- Carmen Godoy Martín, events content editor, Legal 500
4.00pm-5.30pm Drinks and canapes
Speakers
Barry Horne, partner, Miller Thomson
Barry Horne is an experienced international and M&A tax lawyer with decades of practice, utilizing his deep tax knowledge and project management tools to deliver optimal client outcomes. He has collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, allowing him to provide holistic tax solutions. In international tax, Barry focuses on cross-border tax structuring, minimizing withholding taxes, and managing transfer pricing engagements. His M&A tax practice includes due diligence, structuring acquisitions and dispositions, streamlining corporate structures, post-acquisition structuring, and advising on private equity transactions. His experience helps clients maximize tax benefits and minimize liabilities in complex transactions.
Barry has held various leadership roles in tax and legal communities, including chairing professional associations, serving on editorial boards, and participating in working groups for international tax and M&A. His community involvement reflects a commitment to advancing the legal and tax profession through education, collaboration, and leadership in both Canadian and international tax law.
A member of several professional organizations, Barry’s experience has been recognized through numerous accolades, including being recommended for his outstanding work in various legal domains. Barry has shared his insights through various publications and presentations on international tax matters, showcasing his commitment to knowledge sharing and staying at the forefront of legal developments.
Max Spearn, partner and M&A lead, Miller Thomson
Max Spearn is the national lead of Miller Thomson’s Corporate, M&A and Securities practice group with nearly 20 years of experience. He represents a diverse group of clients on a wide range of corporate transactions. He works extensively with clients, both public and private, in a variety of industries, including technology, manufacturing and distribution, hospitality, professional services, health care, insurance, real estate and automotive. Max has been involved in a broad range of corporate and commercial transactions, including asset and share acquisitions and divestitures, debt and equity financings and corporate reorganizations. Max frequently works with U.S. law firms and businesses on cross-border transactions and structures for doing business in Canada. Max also negotiates and drafts shareholder, partnership and joint venture agreements, service agreements and various other major agreements. Max regularly advises high growth clients and family owned enterprises on all aspects of their business. He is a trusted advisor to his clients with a focus on delivering practical advice and solutions in a cost effective manner.
Max often presents at legal and industry conferences and events on emerging trends and issues in the areas of M&A, corporate governance and contract negotiations.
Dan Kiselbach, partner, Miller Thomson
Dan Kiselbach is your go-to legal professional for customs, global trade, and tax. He leverages a wealth of litigation experience at various Canadian court levels. With a keen focus on providing legal, strategic, and planning advice, Dan has guided clients across diverse sectors such as auto, energy, government, not-for profit, and public sectors. As the Managing Partner in Vancouver, he heads the firm’s Global Trade and Customs and Vancouver Tax groups offering comprehensive advice on issues ranging from anti-money laundering and terrorist financing, to controlled goods, customs and tax minimization strategies, and supply chain logistics.
Dan shares his knowledge in presentations for leading business, legal, and trade entities including Team Canada Trade Missions. He has authored works in several areas including customs, cross-border business, foreign anti-corruption, global trade, tax, and sanctions. His background makes him a reliable choice for navigating highly regulated legal landscapes. As a Cornell Executive MBA Americas graduate and mentor, he helps to set up the next generation of business leaders for success.
Renowned for his knowledge and experience, Dan Kiselbach is a trusted member of several prestigious organizations and has been consistently recognized in various well-respected industry directories. His accolades reflect his dedication to excellence in customs, e-commerce, global trade, logistics, and tax law.
Jeanette Lee, general counsel and corporate secretary, Arterra Wines Canada
Jeanette Lee is the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Arterra Wines Canada, the producer and marketer of Canadian and imported wines (such as Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin, Sandbanks, Nk’Mip Cellars, Domaine Le Clos Jordanne, Kew, Ruffino, Kim Crawford, and others). As the company’s General Counsel & Corporate Secretary she acts as a strategic legal leader and business partner in all areas of the business, including commercial, corporate, governance, M&A, strategic partnerships, litigation, trade practices, employment, marketing and regulatory, privacy and all other legal matters.
Jeanette began her legal career practising entertainment, marketing, IP and corporate commercial law, at Bereskin & Parr, McCarthy Tetrault LLP, Stohn, Hay, Cafazzo, Dembroski, Richmond LLP, and in-house at Canwest Mediaworks/Global TV. Prior to joining Arterra, Jeanette acted as Director, Senior Corporate Counsel at Restaurant Brands International, managing Marketing & IP legal matters for Tim Hortons, Burger King and Popeyes brands in Canada and internationally.
Jeanette holds LL.B. and B.C.L. degrees from McGill University. She is called to the bar of Ontario. An active member of her community and the legal profession, she serves as a Board Director for: Wine Growers Canada, Bravo! Niagara, Artists and Lawyers for the Advancement of Creativity (ALAC)/Artists’ Legal Advice Services (ALAS), and National GC Network.
Mark Galati, global director, contracts and corporate legal services, Hatch
As Global Director of Contracts and Corporate Legal Services at Hatch, Mark leads a global legal function that supports the execution of complex, high-value engineering projects across multiple jurisdictions. He is responsible for driving legal strategy, enabling disciplined risk management, and ensuring that contractual and regulatory frameworks are aligned with Hatch’s commercial objectives and enterprise priorities.
Mark brings deep expertise in dispute resolution, strategic contract negotiation, and regulatory compliance, coupled with a demonstrated ability to design and implement scalable risk management architectures across global operations. His approach integrates legal rigor with commercial pragmatism, enabling business teams to pursue opportunities with confidence.
Over the course of his career, Mark has developed broad subject matter expertise spanning construction law, employment law, intellectual property, corporate governance, and international trade and procurement. His multidisciplinary perspective and global outlook position him as a key contributor to Hatch’s continued growth and resilience in an increasingly complex legal and regulatory environment.
Maja Czubernat, general counsel, chief compliance officer, chief privacy officer, Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.
Maja Czubernat is a Senior Director and General Counsel at Samsung Electronics Canada Inc., Legal & Regulatory Affairs and has been with Samsung Canada for over 14 years. Maja holds an Hon. Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Toronto (Summa Cum Laude) and an LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School. Prior to joining Samsung in 2012, Maja has worked at two Canadian law firms on Bay Street, Toronto. Maja is also the recipient of the prestigious 2020 Samsung Excellence Award as an Individual Team Player (Build Trust). Most recently, Maja won the 2026 AHAM Emerging Leader Award that is presented to members who, through volunteer service, have made important contributions to the industry.
As General Counsel. Maja regularly provides advice, representation and advocacy to the Samsung Canada’s Executive Team and Samsung employees on different areas of the law, risk management and mitigation strategies, internal and external compliance as well as strategic decision-making, applying business acumen and a practical approach to complex legal issues to drive business success.
A passionate champion of women empowerment and advancement, she co-founded the W+ | Samsung ERG (Employee Resource Group) as a movement within Samsung Canada and Samsung overall to connect with, inspire and empower women as well as support their career and success at Samsung, at home and in their communities.
Christelle Gedeon, chief business development & corporate affairs officer, Canopy Growth Corporation
As Canopy Growth’s Chief Business Development & Corporate Affairs Officer, Christelle Gedeon oversees the Legal, Regulatory, and Government Relations organization. Prior to joining Canopy, Christelle served in a number of senior leadership roles including as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary for The Metals Company (TMC), Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Aphria, Inc., and as a partner at Fasken, a leading Canadian law firm. Through these roles, she developed extensive experience in the cannabis industry and in the management of complex regulatory structures, intellectual property management, corporate governance, government relations, and strategic acquisitions, all capabilities that are critical to advancing Canopy Growth’s strategy for North American Leadership.
An accomplished commercial lawyer and strategist with more than a decade of experience, Christelle played an instrumental role in the completion of more than 50 mergers, acquisitions, and strategic investments during her tenure. Additionally, she has been named one of Canada’s Law Department Leaders of the Year, included as part of the Legal 500 GC 2020 Powerlist, and named to the 2019 Canadian General Counsel Awards Tomorrow’s Leader. Christelle received her LL.B/B.C.L. from McGill University and is a member in good standing of both the Ontario and Quebec bars. She is also a registered trademark agent and holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Toronto.
Kelly Charlebois, managing partner, Toronto office, Miller Thomson
Kelly Charlebois, Managing Partner of the Toronto office, is an experienced estate and trust litigator who is known for her tenacious advocacy and strategic approach to handling complex cases.
As the Leader of Miller Thomson’s National Estates & Trusts Group, Kelly excels in matters involving estates, trusts, and capacity-related proceedings. Her extensive knowledge and experience extends to will challenges, guardianship applications, and breach of trust cases, where she has experience representing high-net-worth individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. Drawing on a solid background in commercial litigation, Kelly adeptly represents clients in intricate legal disputes.
Kerri Pope, general counsel & corporate secretary, Martinrea International Inc.
Kerri Pope is General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Martinrea International Inc. (TSX: MRE), a leading global automotive supplier with more than 16,000 employees across 57 locations in 10 countries.
As General Counsel, she is responsible for Martinrea’s legal strategy and global legal function, with work spanning corporate and commercial matters, litigation management, legal and regulatory compliance, legal risk, and the governance of the public company and its subsidiaries.
A trusted advisor to the Board and senior executive team, Kerri provides strategic legal guidance that aligns with the company’s business goals while managing risk.
Since joining Martinrea in 2008, she has helped the company navigate successive industry disruptions, including the changing trade and tariff environment.
She began her career in commercial litigation at Gowling LLP and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2005.
Conni Gibson, group head, general counsel & corporate secretary, Interac
As Group Head, Legal, Compliance and Regulatory, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Conni is responsible for legal, privacy, corporate governance, compliance, legal operations, network participant regulation and internal audit. Conni brings over 20 years of extensive compliance and legal experience and knowledge in technology and operations as well as managing acquisitions, securities and derivatives in the financial services industry. Prior to Interac, Conni served in a number of leadership roles at Bank of Montreal in Toronto and New York, most recently as Vice-President and Chief Legal Officer of Technology and Operations and Corporate Areas, where she drove transformational change to ensure legal and compliance programs met regulatory expectations and best practices.
Carmen Godoy Martín, events content editor, Legal 500
Carmen Godoy Martín is part of the editorial team at Legal 500, specialising in the in-house legal community and contributing to the GC Powerlist series, the organisation’s flagship title recognising the world’s leading in-house counsel.
In her role, Carmen has led research across multiple jurisdictions and engaged extensively with members of the in-house legal community, providing insight into regional developments and the evolving role of general counsel. Her work spans key legal markets in Europe, as well as Latin America, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. Alongside her editorial work, she contributes to Legal 500’s international events and initiatives, engaging with senior legal professionals globally.
Carmen brings an international and intersectional educational background, holding a dual degree in Law and Political Science and Public Administration from Universidad Pablo de Olavide, and an MSc in International Security and Global Governance from Birkbeck, University of London. She has built international experience in communications and global affairs through roles at the European Parliament and other diplomatic institutions.
