Team size: Six

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience? 

Handling legal issues during a crisis can be challenging, but I believe it’s one of the most crucial things to get them right as the stakes are high. In my view, the way a company handles a crisis is crucial in protecting its reputation and minimise any liability. I think it’s always better to be proactive—spotting risks and addressing them early on—rather than waiting for legal threats to arise. For me and my team at our group, the most important part of managing legal risks is identifying potential issues early, understanding how serious they may be in different regions, and prioritising them based on their potential impact. It’s also essential to have specific legal strategies and clear protocols in place so that the legal team knows exactly what to do when something goes wrong. I also strongly feel that good communication within my team during a crisis is critical to keeping everyone aligned. Additionally, working constructively with all the Company’s departments is important for reducing risks while ensuring confidential information stays secure. Last but not least, it is essential for legal strategies to always align with our Company’s overall business goals. To make that happen, it’s vital to collaborate closely with management and set clear legal objectives that support our bigger vision, philosophy and business strategy.

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?

To make sustainability a core part of business, companies usually start by developing a strategy that focuses on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. In shipping this involves reducing carbon emissions, waste reduction, improving employee well-being, and ensuring responsible sourcing. I believe integrating sustainability into daily operations is essential. At Seanergy and United, we are committed in building a framework that promotes these practices throughout our organisation. As a shipping group, we monitor the environmental impact of our vessels using advanced systems that track fuel consumption and emissions in real-time, helping us stay compliant with our sustainability goals and regulations. Regular assessments also enable us in find ways to improve and minimise our environmental footprint, which is key to staying efficient and responsible. The role of the general counsel is important as myself and my team need to ensure that we follow the environmental laws and regulations, prevent legal risks, and have in place all the necessary internal policies. We also often negotiate contracts that include sustainability commitments. Through these efforts, we assist our group in building a culture of responsibility and ethical behaviour that ensures we stay on track with our sustainability aims and goals.

What emerging technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future, and how do you stay updated on these developments?

The legal field is currently going through big changes due to rapid advancements in technology like AI, blockchain, and data analytics. While these new tools offer ways to make things more efficient, give easier access to information and case law as well as improve service quality, they also come with challenges. I think it is important for lawyers to stay informed and adaptable in this ever-changing environment. These days, understanding how technology impacts the legal profession is crucial. Lawyers need to stay on top of tech trends and learn how to use them effectively to stay competitive and deliver the highest quality of service. I believe legal professionals should keep learning by attending workshops and seminars, researching case studies, attending online courses, and subscribing to legal journals that focus on technology and innovation in the legal space. In my opinion, the role of technology in law is only going to increase. By integrating these changes into our practice, we, lawyers, can sharpen our skills and keep up with the rapidly evolving legal environment.