Marie-Eve Rehayem

Job Title: Regional Canadian Counsel
Company: WM (formerly known as Waste Management)
Legal Team Size: 2 (in Canada)
Most Senior Member of the Legal Team in Canada: Yes
Reports To: Assistant General Counsel of the Eastern United States
Location: Brampton, Ontario

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

I have been very pleased to contribute to and support projects centred on renewable energy, organics, and recycling. When I was growing up, I was taught about the conservation of energy and resources, and learned about the concept of environmental stewardship through the principles of “reduce, reuse, and recycle”. I believe that what WM is doing in that space is remarkable and fascinating, and knowing that I can bring my skills as a lawyer to the table for projects that help advance those concepts is immensely gratifying.

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

I have been fortunate throughout my career to have had many experiences that are unique and interesting, so it would be difficult to identify just a few. One of the joys, for me, of being in-house counsel is having the opportunity to learn about the business and to participate in matters from start to finish. I have been involved in large infrastructure projects, for example, with wonderful, hard-working teams. Visiting the sites of those projects and witnessing the tangible results of all that hard work has given me a great sense of pride and accomplishment.

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

In my view, contributing to the company’s overall business strategy requires learning as much as possible about the business. I am naturally curious, and that curiosity drives me to consistently ask questions and seek opportunities to learn. By gaining a detailed understanding of the organisation’s strategic goals and operational realities, the legal team can provide tailored legal advice that not only mitigates legal risks but also assists the organisation, in a practical and applicable way, in advancing its business objectives.