MEMBERSHIP

Become a Member of the National GC Network

The National GC Network is a coalition of senior legal executives across automotive, energy, financial services, technology, education, media and other sectors. As experienced business leaders from diverse ethnicities, we aim to foster racial inclusivity within the legal profession.

NGCN welcomes your application for the following membership categories:

• Regular - For racialized or Indigenous individuals who are currently employed as General Counsel or equivalent;

• Emeritus - For individuals who were NGCN Regular members but have either been appointed to the Judiciary or have retired from employment;

• Associate - For racialized or Indigenous individuals who have or would have qualified as a Regular member but who are currently transitioning between General Counsel or equivalent roles and can be expected to be eligible for NGCN Regular membership within 2 years;

• Emerging Leader - For racialized or Indigenous individuals who are not yet General Counsel or equivalent but who can be expected to be a General Counsel or equivalent within 5 years;

• Fractional General Counsel - For racialized or Indigenous individuals who are embedded in only one organization as General Counsel or equivalent but are not directly employed by that organization; or

• Ally - For General Counsel or equivalent who are not racialized or Indigenous but wish to support the NGCN and its objectives.

Membership Applications

Become a member of NGCN by reviewing the detailed eligibility criteria below and completing the applicable application form. Upon the Membership Committee's approval of your membership application, you will receive an invoice for the membership fee for the approved membership category. For Emeritus membership, email info@nationalgcnetwork.ca.

REGULAR - General Counsels, in-house senior legal executives, and senior in-house legal leaders who identify as racialized or Indigenous, employed in a company (that is not in the business of providing legal services) with operating presence in Canada, have been practicing law for at least 5 years in any jurisdiction and are called to the Bar in a Canadian jurisdiction. Regular members must be approved by the Membership Committee.

Member Benefits: Complimentary or reduced rate access to annual conference, seminars, social & networking events, Monthly Matcha, and subscription to newsletter, and more! Regular members can vote at the meeting of the members, and are eligible to hold positions on the NGCN Executive Board and are encouraged to join NGCN Committees.

2026 Fee: $250 + tax

ASSOCIATE - General Counsels, in-house senior legal executives, and senior in-house legal leaders who identify as racialized or Indigenous who are transitioning between General Counsels, in-house senior legal executives, and senior in-house legal leaders roles at companies (that are not in the business of providing legal services) with operating presence in Canada, have been practicing law for at least 5 years in any jurisdiction and are called to the Bar in a Canadian jurisdiction, and expect to be eligible for National GC Network Regular membership within 2 years. Associate members must be approved by the Membership Committee.

Member Benefits: Complimentary or reduced fee access to annual conference, seminars, social & networking events, Monthly Matcha, subscription to newsletter, and more! Associate members are non-voting members.

2026 Fee: $175 + tax

EMERGING LEADER - In-house lawyers who identify as racialized or Indigenous who do not qualify for Regular or Associate membership and are employed in a company (that is not in the business of providing legal services) with operating presence in Canada, endorsed by their General Counsel (or the most senior legal executive in Canada or a member of the National GC Network’s board) as having demonstrated leadership experience, and are an emerging leader who can be expected to be eligible for National GC Network Regular membership within 5 years and have been practicing law for at least 5 years in any jurisdiction and are called to the Bar in a Canadian jurisdiction. Emerging Leader members must be approved by the Membership Committee. 

Member Benefits: Access to annual conference and select seminars (at reduced fee), and subscription to newsletter. Emerging Leader members are non-voting members.

2026 Fee: $175 + tax

FRACTIONAL GENERAL COUNSEL - Senior lawyers who identify as racialized or Indigenous, operating in a General Counsel capacity in personally providing legal services to a company with an operating presence in Canada either as a sole practitioner or as a fractional lawyer through an entity whose business includes the provision of legal services, provided the fractional lawyer has no financial interest in such entity, have been practicing law for at least 5 years in any jurisdiction and are called to the Bar in a Canadian jurisdiction. Fractional General Counsel members must be approved by the Membership Committee.

Member Benefits: Access to annual conference and select seminars (at reduced fee), and subscription to newsletter. Fractional General Counsel members are non-voting members.

2026 Fee: $175 + tax

ALLY - General Counsels and in-house senior legal executives who do not qualify for Regular, Associate or Emerging Leader membership but who are employed by a company (that is not in the business of providing legal services) with operating presence in Canada as its in-house counsel and who have been practicing law for at least 5 years in any jurisdiction and are called to the Bar in a Canadian jurisdiction. Allies must be sponsored by a Regular member and approved by the Membership Committee.

Member Benefits: Access to annual conference and select seminars (at reduced fee), and subscription to newsletter. Ally members are non-voting members.

 2026 Fee: $175 + tax