Frank Pedinelli
Caledon,Ontario
Summary
Experienced Executive Vice President and General Counsel with a proven track record in legal strategy, corporate governance, and cross-functional leadership across multiple industries. Demonstrated success in leading high-performing teams, managing regulatory risk, and driving key business initiatives, including M&A transactions and complex litigation. Open to leadership opportunities beyond traditional legal roles, particularly in areas such as strategic initiatives, business transformation, and cross-functional projects.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Vice President & General Counsel
Loblaw Companies
05.2017 - 10.2017
- Led legal department of 50 lawyers for Canada’s largest food retailer, managing all legal operations across multiple business units.
- Provided strategic counsel on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and major corporate transactions, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
- Collaborated closely with senior leadership to navigate regulatory complexities, mitigate legal risks, and optimize decision-making processes.
- Advised executive team on key initiatives, including risk management strategies, competitive practices, and regulatory changes.
- Supported cross-functional teams in high-impact projects such as supply chain initiatives, consumer protection, and environmental compliance.
- Developed and implemented legal policies that streamlined operations, improved risk management, and ensured compliance with industry regulations.
- Played key role in managing high-profile litigation and dispute resolution to protect company’s interests.
EVP, Legal Affairs & General Counsel
Shoppers Drug Mart Limited
02.2012 - 05.2017
- Directed all legal functions for Canada’s largest pharmacy retailer, overseeing team of 10 in-house lawyers and managing complex legal matters across all business divisions.
- Led legal strategy for $12.4 billion cash and stock acquisition by Loblaw, successfully navigating regulatory, competition, and corporate governance complexities of transaction.
- Regularly reported to Board of Directors on critical matters, including regulatory risk, corporate governance, and compliance with industry-specific regulations.
- Played a pivotal role in aligning legal strategy with business objectives, supporting major business initiatives such as expansion efforts, M&A, and strategic partnerships.
- Ensured compliance with evolving regulations in pharmaceuticals, retail operations, and consumer protection, mitigating legal risks while driving business growth.
- Partnered with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to address challenges related to corporate governance, data privacy, and operational risk management.
- Spearheaded efforts to strengthen corporate governance frameworks and compliance programs, ensuring company remained ahead of regulatory changes and industry standards.
- Managed high-stakes litigation, including class actions and intellectual property disputes, ensuring favorable outcomes that protected company’s interests.
- Negotiated key contracts and commercial agreements, driving value while mitigating legal and business risks in critical supply chain and vendor relationships.
- Developed and mentored high-performing legal team, fostering culture of collaboration, professional development, and strategic thinking.
SVP, Legal Affairs and General Counsel
Shoppers Drug Mart Limited
06.2009 - 02.2012
- Led legal team responsible for all legal matters across company, ensuring alignment between legal strategy and business operations.
- Managed complex legal issues, including mergers, acquisitions, and high-stakes litigation, ensuring company’s interests were protected.
- Regularly advised senior leadership and Board of Directors on regulatory risk, compliance, and corporate governance, supporting informed decision-making.
- Strengthened corporate governance frameworks and compliance programs, ensuring adherence to regulatory and industry standards.
- Managed high-profile litigation, including class actions, intellectual property disputes, and regulatory investigations, achieving favorable outcomes for company.
- Negotiated key contracts with suppliers, vendors, and strategic partners, ensuring both legal and commercial risks were effectively managed.
- Developed and mentored high-performing team of legal professionals, fostering growth and enhancing department’s effectiveness.
VP, Legal Affairs
Shoppers Drug Mart Limited
04.2007 - 05.2009
- Supported Senior Vice-President, General Counsel in managing legal department, handling key legal matters across various business units.
- Led negotiation and drafting of major contracts, ensuring favorable terms while managing legal and business risks.
- Advised senior management on complex regulatory, corporate governance, and compliance issues, providing actionable legal insights to support business objectives.
- Managed range of litigation, from commercial disputes to regulatory challenges, ensuring company’s interests were well represented.
- Played key role in development and implementation of legal strategies to support business operations, corporate expansion, and compliance with evolving regulations.
- Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams, including finance, operations, and HR, to provide integrated legal solutions that supported company-wide initiatives.
- Mentored junior legal staff, fostering collaborative and growth-oriented environment within legal team.
Legal Counsel / Senior Legal Counsel
Shoppers Drug Mart Limited
09.1998 - 03.2007
- Provided direct legal support on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, with strong focus on contract drafting, negotiation, and risk management.
- Acted as key advisor on regulatory compliance, ensuring that company adhered to applicable laws and industry regulations across its operations.
- Managed day-to-day legal tasks, including contract reviews, dispute resolution, and legal research, working closely with various business units to support operational needs.
- Led and resolved litigation matters, including commercial disputes and regulatory investigations, with emphasis on minimizing risk and protecting company’s interests.
- Developed and implemented streamlined processes for reviewing contracts and addressing compliance issues, enhancing efficiency of legal department.
- Supported senior legal leadership by conducting thorough legal analyses and providing recommendations on complex legal matters.
Education
Master of Law, LLM - Taxation
Osgoode Hall Law School
Toronto, OntarioJ.D. - Law
Osgoode Hall Law School
TorontoBachelor of Arts - Economics
York University
TorontoSkills
- Strategic Leadership
- Corporate Governance & Compliance
- Regulatory Expertise
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Risk Management
- Board-Level Reporting
- Digital Transformation
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Litigation Management
- Contract Negotiation
- Change Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Business Strategy
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Project Management
- Innovation & Strategy
- Agile Methodology
- Sustainability Initiatives
- Critical Thinking
Certification
Admitted to practice law in Ontario, 1995.
Timeline
Executive Vice President & General Counsel
Loblaw Companies
05.2017 - 10.2017
EVP, Legal Affairs & General Counsel
Shoppers Drug Mart Limited
02.2012 - 05.2017
SVP, Legal Affairs and General Counsel
Shoppers Drug Mart Limited
06.2009 - 02.2012
VP, Legal Affairs
Shoppers Drug Mart Limited
04.2007 - 05.2009
Legal Counsel / Senior Legal Counsel
Shoppers Drug Mart Limited
09.1998 - 03.2007
Admitted to practice law in Ontario, 1995.
Master of Law, LLM - Taxation
Osgoode Hall Law School
J.D. - Law
Osgoode Hall Law School
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
York University
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