Legal team size: Eight

What projects are you most proud to have worked on over the past 12 months?

I’m particularly proud of leading a complex project to move a significant line of business from one entity to another. This required extensive cross-border coordination and securing numerous regulatory approvals within Canada and the United States. This involved navigating intricate legal frameworks, collaborating with international teams, and ensuring minimal disruption to clients. The Canadian team led this project, which took over 2 years to complete and I’m proud to say there was no client disruption.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

Given Citi’s global prominence, I’ve been involved in countless cross-border and Canadian-specific issues that received significant media attention. Due to the firm’s reach, virtually every major global event has had a touchpoint with Citi, and often, with Canada. These situations demanded rapid assessment of complex legal and reputational risks, often under intense public scrutiny. My role involved providing strategic guidance to senior leadership, navigating multifaceted regulatory landscapes, and collaborating with global legal teams to ensure consistent and coordinated responses.

How does your team contribute to the overall business strategy of the company?

My team plays a critical role in enabling Citi’s Canadian strategy. We provide strategic legal advice to senior management, covering new initiatives, regulatory changes, and legal risks. We manage legal risks by developing strategies and conducting legal reviews. Legal is a key contributor to any significant business expansion or development and we are brought in at the outset of projects to ensure there are no regulatory show-stoppers. As Legal Counsel, we work directly with the businesses to ensure they can continue to lead the way as a global financial institution, offering complex products within a complex regulatory environment. We facilitate innovation and growth while mitigating legal risks, ensuring Citi can continue to thrive in Canada. Finally, we protect Citi’s reputation by upholding ethical conduct.