This article was provided by the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association
When Rustam (Rusty) Juma, CIC. C took the role of General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Volkswagen Group Canada Inc. it marked another milestone in a distinguished legal career. A respected figure in the profession, he has built a reputation for excellence through his work across multiple countries and his dedication to community service, including time spent in the United States, Afghanistan, India, and Vietnam.
After graduating from Western University’s law school, Rusty was called to the Bar in 2008. His career path led him from private practice in Calgary and Toronto to in-house positions at Deloitte and then Eckler, Canada’s largest privately owned actuarial firm. In 2023, he joined Volkswagen and Audi as their General Counsel.
His involvement with the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association (CCCA), including its Mentoring Program, helped him in these moves. “I was assigned a far more senior GC with a depth of experience that challenged my learning,” he reflects. Their many conversations helped him increase his confidence and set more ambitious goals.
Rusty also enrolled in the CCCA-Rotman Business Leadership Program for In-House Counsel in 2022, graduating with the Certified In-House Counsel—Canada (CIC.C) designation, which he sees as a critical competitive advantage.
“The Program helped me get to where I am today,” he explains. “I undertook the program to bring my career to the next level, and I believe that the CIC.C designation, along with winning the Canadian General Counsel Award in 2022, catapulted my transition to Volkswagen. And as a car aficionado, it was a dream come true!”
In 2021, Rusty co-founded The National GC Network, whose primary mission is to help general and in-house counsel advance equity, diversity, and inclusion values in the legal community. The Network aims to promote leadership opportunities through awards, scholarships, and events for in-house leaders who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour and their allies.
In line with those values, he says, “The CCCA has recently established Diversity Scholarships to support more in-house counsel with diverse backgrounds and experiences and attract a larger group of people—which I think is a great move forward.”
As he reflects on what he learned through the Business Leadership Program — lessons he still applies today — he recalls two in particular. First, from Julia Shin Doi, now Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, who emphasized the importance of combining strategic business insights with strong people skills. Second, from Nouman Ashraf, Associate Professor at the Rotman School of Management, who reinforced that leadership is about caring, compassion, courage, capacity, curiosity, and commitment.
As the legal profession evolves with hybrid work arrangements and advancing technology, Rusty maintains his commitment to personal interaction, regularly working from the office to develop trust and rapport with staff and clients. He’s particularly thoughtful about the role of AI in legal practice: “AI cannot build trust or respect or instinct or gut feelings. It is difficult to replicate human connection and morality. That is where lawyers can shine: by leading the way as the moral compass and conscience of the organization.”
The Business Leadership Program for In-House Counsel, offered by CCCA in conjunction with Rotman School of Management, is a 10-month program consisting of in-person and online modules. The next cohort begins in September. To learn more about the program and scholarship opportunities, visit the CCCA’s website.