GC Issue: Spring 2015

In the first of a series of regular features, we discuss how lawyers – internal and external – can add value to the business, over Dinner With GC.

Peter Drucker pioneered the study of management as a discipline. The very fact that we are discussing adding strategic value and getting closer to business colleagues is a direct result of his work. Catherine McGregor explores his relevance to GCs and legal departments.

You’ve built up your legal team but how do you incentivise them to stay? GC’s Catherine Wycherley speaks to general counsel around the globe to find out how they keep their teams together.

William Weisel, former GC of four publicly-traded, multinational high-tech companies in Israel (Scitex Corporation, ADC Teledata, Gilat Satellite Networks and Lumenis), unpicks the stereotype of “lawyers as deal breakers”, explaining how corporate counsel can re-brand as deal makers.

GC meets with Amy Holt, senior commercial lawyer at UK retailer John Lewis, to discuss how the commercial legal team works with the business, and the company’s unique partnership structure.

GC takes a look behind the company curtain in European countries where corporate counsel are denied the professional status and legal privilege afforded to private practice lawyers.

HBO Europe’s central Europe-based general counsel, Gordon Finlayson, talks to Catherine Rodgers about creating a “team” from “teams”, unifying processes and rolling out a bespoke IT system
across ten countries.

When a law firm collapses, it’s not just the partners that risk being left high and dry. General counsel need to think carefully about a contingency plan should their chosen adviser face a shutdown.

Paul Hughes of Cranfield School of Management explains about the value proposition – and why GCs need to be in the know.