Looking forward, what technological advancements do you feel will impact the role of in-house legal teams in the future the most?

Continued improvements in automated contract completion and ongoing contract management technology — such as blockchain and smart contracts — workflow tracking solutions, and email and document management systems will each impact the role of in-house legal teams in the future.

What is a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you care about, and why?

Ras Al Khaimah’s Women’s Network. It is a new initiative in the Emirates that promotes an environment where women can connect, share, learn and perform at their best. This is achieved by building bridges for women working and living in Ras Al Khaimah to advance their skills, confidence, and careers. The goal is that this will foster and encourage gender diversity across the various companies that operate in Ras Al Khaimah at all levels; to create an evermore safe, flexible and accommodating environment for women to connect, share, learn and perform at their best; but also, to create awareness across all employees on any unconscious gender bias and the benefits of a diverse workforce.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

I lead a successful in-house legal and risk team in a governmental organisation which is the government’s investment arm of Ras Al Khaimah. Successful in-house lawyers in this type of industry need to have a keen eye for detail, coupled with the ability to recognise how day-to-day decisions impact the bigger picture, particularly in the future, given the IDO’s mandate of generating sustainable financial returns and driving economic growth for Ras Al Khaimah and its people for generations to come. It is a role that also requires a broad view of legal risk, considering reputational, environmental and social factors. Furthermore, successful in-house lawyers in this context need to be agile and relish the challenge of providing legal services across a diverse range of matters spanning a wide variety of industry segments – real estate, tourism and hospitality, manufacturing, mining and quarrying, energy and utilities, free zones, business, transport and logistics, education, healthcare and pharma and financial services.

What can law firms do to improve their service to the legal department?

The IDO legal team is always looking for its external legal panel to provide the IDO and its group of companies with outstanding legal advice as trusted advisers in a timely and cost-efficient way, so firms should be open and upfront about where they can add value over the longer term.