Team size: two

Can you briefly explain how the legal team is structured, highlighting key individuals and their role within the department?

The legal team comprises me and my colleague Silje Johnsen — senior legal counsel.

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

Over the last two years, we have been involved in the project execution and delivery of several large vessels, including one RoPax vessel for Color Line, one offshore wind vessel for Bernhard Schulte Offshore, and one cable-laying vessel for Nexans: and two expedition cruise vessels for Lindblad. Our team has assisted in all stages of the project execution, from negotiations of the shipbuilding contracts and all sub-contract to project follow-up and delivery of the vessels to their respective owners.

In a changing financial landscape, how does the company remain competitive against new phenomena such as fintech and blockchain, and how does the legal team assist with this?

We aim to stay updated on the legal aspects of adopting new technology where relevant and provide reliable advice on how to implement and use it in compliance with rules and regulations. Even though we have not yet had any transactions based on fintech and blockchain, we try to adopt new technology where relevant and may facilitate efficient work methods.

How does the team contribute constructively to the growth and expansion of the company?

We contribute by providing efficient, practical and reliable advice and having in-depth knowledge of the sector and the business. Furthermore, we must maintain up-to-date and complete historical records and systems that ensure experience sharing and learning for future projects.

How do you feel the pandemic has changed the world of work for in-house counsel and the function of the general counsel?

The pandemic has had a detrimental impact on our core markets — cruise and passenger vessels, which unfortunately has made downsizing and restructuring necessary. For the work for in-house counsel in general, I believe that the pandemic has led to an escalation of digitalisation, including virtual meetings, remote work and less travelling. The positive effects, which we hope to some extent will also remain after COVID, are fewer costs, less impact on the environment and more efficient use of time.

Ingvill M. Saunes
General counsel
Ulstein Group