Team size: 19

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?

The art of navigating legal and commercial possibilities often conflicts with business demands. This typically occurs when the business aims to contract with a customer swiftly to secure turnover, yet the negotiation of applicable terms and conditions remains incomplete. By understanding the time sensitivities of internal customers and thoroughly examining the details of the deal, I can act promptly and provide a well-considered, risk-reward solution.

What are the main cases or transactions you have been involved in recently?

Regional corporate growth, to facilitate new or enhanced market entry, is an area of my work that has required diverse approaches in the recent past and continues to at present. From managing all of the legal aspects in acquiring a European AI technology development entity, through the process of identifying and commercial framing of a new joint venture operating entity in the Middle East, through to various localisation compliant business partner arrangements with agents and distributors in the African market these all require a very high degree of negotiation persistence and attention to legal detail as the lack of that could have a long negative future impact on the company’s business in that market.

How do you manage and motivate your legal team to ensure high performance and professional growth?

Managing and motivating a legal team to ensure high performance and professional growth requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, fostering a positive work environment is crucial. This involves addressing soft issues such as team dynamics, communication, and work-life balance. Encouraging open dialogue and providing regular feedback helps build trust and transparency within the team.

Investing in continuous training and development is essential. Offering opportunities for team members to attend workshops, seminars, and courses keeps their skills sharp and up to date. Additionally, providing access to mentorship programs can help less experienced lawyers learn from seasoned professionals, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and growth.

Creating opportunities is another key strategy. Assigning challenging projects that push team members out of their comfort zones can help them develop new skills and gain confidence. This not only enhances their expertise but also prepares them for more significant responsibilities in the future.

Specialisation is also important. Encouraging team members to develop expertise in specific areas of law can lead to higher quality work and greater job satisfaction. Recognising and rewarding achievements in these specialised areas can further motivate the team.

By combining these strategies, you can create a motivated, high-performing legal team that is committed to continuous professional growth.