GC Issue: Winter/Spring 2019

GC takes a look at the growing US phenomenon of enshrining public benefit goals into for-profit corporate charters.

In March 2019, The Legal 500 will launch the GC Powerlist. The Powerlist pulled nominations from GCs and private practice counterparts alike to shine a light on the hard work and talent within the in-house community, writes The Legal 500 publishing director, David Burgess.

For many, the lead in-house legal role at The Pokémon Company International is a dream come true. For chief legal officer Don McGowan, it has meant the cementing of his reputation as a gaming and entertainment law expert and the opportunity to serve as a Hollywood producer.

GC magazine partnered with Winston & Strawn to host a roundtable discussion with general counsel at the frontiers of technological innovation in the heart of Silicon Valley. From AI to regulation, their insights paint a picture of uncertainty – but equally one of cautious optimism about the future of business.

With the benefit of 15 years’ experience in-house, Peter Seka shares the importance of understanding the business relevance of legal work and using it to demonstrate the department’s value.

February 2019 saw the opening of London’s newest arbitration centre or ADR venue – the International Arbitration Centre. catches up with CEO Owen Lawrence, who left his role as senior practice manager at a leading barristers’ chambers to head this bold new venture.

Demand for boosting the representation of women in leadership has become a common refrain in both business and the business of law. GC met with female leaders at IP powerhouse Finnegan, along with a selection of clients, to reflect on leadership in the legal profession – and how to prosper at the top echelons of legal life.

GC examines the boom of cloud-based tech start-ups going public through the eyes of DocuSign chief legal, privacy and compliance officer Reggie Davis, who has overseen the high-profile IPOs of two major tech companies.

In the second edition of ‘Horizons’, Eversheds Sutherland partners, Marc Meryon and Thomas Player, review the increasing reputational threat to corporates posed by well-organised protests and sophisticated campaigns.

As television audiences continue to fall, new media is showing unprecedented adoption and market penetration. GC speaks to some of the key figures behind this transformation to learn if traditional media is facing a new Gutenberg moment.