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 strengthened the general counsel role to become a fundamental business partner for strategic decisions. Stakeholders have perceived general counsel as a guide in this pandemic for all distinct aspects of business activities such as understanding of new emergency rules, safety and security and negotiations with suppliers, property owners and customers for more flexible and favourable economic conditions. General counsel have also been nothing short of an illuminator in matters of restructuring of the business from the physical to digital market, representation before public authorities for incentives, recovery plans, financing and more.

What do you feel are the pros and cons of an in-house legal role compared to a private practice one?

The pro is immediate contact with the business and the possibility to understand and witness legal implications of business problems and trends which can enhance legal problem solving.

The cons are less time to analyse impactful legal questions and their impact but engaging in simplifying legal matters to take reasonable solutions and not ‘bullet-proof solutions.’ There is a push to take a risk and take a decision somehow.