Horn shares his journey from a Vancouver law firm to a major retail conglomerate
Are you looking to make a real name for yourself as an in-house counsel? Always remember to keep your options open. That’s according to Richard Horn, general counsel at the Pattison Food Group, which operates over 300 retail locations, including Save-On-Foods. Speaking to Lexpert, Horn says that following your passion is also key to professional happiness.
“Do something that you enjoy doing, something you love, because there's not enough salary in the world to make up for doing work that makes you miserable.”
Horn began his legal career in Vancouver, where he articled with a local firm and continued as an associate for another year. Afterwards, he ventured out on his own, running a litigation practice for 11 years that also included some solicitor work, such as conveyancing and wills.
“Then this opportunity came up with the Overwaitea Food Group (now known as Pattison Food Group), and I knew what a great company it was,” Horn says. “I didn’t imagine being a grocery lawyer back in law school, but I didn’t rule it out either.”
A significant draw for Horn was the synergy between Pattison Food Group and BC Children's Hospital, where his wife has been a nurse in the oncology clinic for over 30 years.
“Save-On-Foods is one of the biggest donators to BC Children's Hospital Foundation, and we are constantly doing events in support. Our president, Darrell Jones, is also on the board of directors of the foundation,” says Horn.
For Horn, it was the opportunity to be a generalist rather than a specialist that cemented his love of the organization.
“There are so many different issues that come through the door,” he notes. “In litigation, you're fighting to take things apart. As a solicitor, you're putting things together, building deals and making relationships.
“It is essential to have good relationships and a reputation within your organization as being practical and easy to work with,” says Horn. “You bring legal knowledge to the table, but you are working alongside experts in their business, so your job is to get them where they want to go in a legal way without being a roadblock. My predecessor taught me that if you don’t do that, you won’t have a seat at the table.”
Now perched at the legal helm of the Pattison Food Group, Horn is responsible for the legal safeguarding of over 30,000 employees in the retail, manufacturing, wholesale, and transportation sectors. Supported by 5 lawyers and 4 legal assistants, his team navigates a lot of change and challenges as part of the business.
“From a legal perspective, privacy is a big issue right now,” says Horn. “With the increased use of AI technology and data analytics, which draw from all sorts of information sources, privacy is very much a topic. As the organization’s privacy officer, it’s crucial to stay plugged into what the business is doing.”
Despite challenges in the retail sector, Horn is optimistic about the future – especially where younger professionals are concerned. So much so that Horn has been an instructor in the Paralegal Program at Vancouver Community College for many years.
"VCC reached out looking for a Creditors Remedies instructor, as that was an area I had practised in when I was on my own, so I gladly filled that gap for them," says Horn. He now teaches courses in five different subjects. The experience has been highly rewarding for him, especially seeing the growth in his students.
"They come in not really knowing much about a subject, and just seeing their knowledge and confidence grow week by week is incredibly rewarding," says Horn.
One of his former students even joined his department as a legal assistant, demonstrating the tangible impact of his teaching efforts.
"Between my students and the younger lawyers in our department, it’s very gratifying to see the impact that you make and to know that you're launching people into the legal profession. They really keep you on your toes with their questions, so you have to stay current.”
Most of all, Horn appreciates seeing the new generation of legal professionals emerging and voicing their own excitement for the future.
“Seeing the next generation coming up and knowing they’ll have careers long after I'm gone is very satisfying.”
