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

As a person who believes in efficiency and innovation, I have dealt with legal operations, legal innovation, legal tech, knowledge management and digital transformation for over a decade — both on the methodological and technical aspects. Accordingly, I believe that DLMS – CKMS document and contract lifecycle management tools, AI, NLP and BI will significantly impact the role of in-house lawyers and lawyers. Not only that they can streamline the legal work, but they can also save time and money for the entire organisation (recent research shows that companies that do not use such tools lose, on average, 10-15% of their profits). Doing so will also significantly improve employees’ and lawyers’ work-life balance.

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

Deep and thorough legal knowledge, negotiation skills, good interpersonal relations, agility, and tech-savvy character. A business-oriented attitude is crucial.

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

Law firms must build a solid understanding of the client’s business goals, objectives, and operations. They should provide clear bottom lines (and fewer long opinions). They should be transparent and open to assignments, including deadlines. Implementing technology is crucial to reduce costs and increase efficiency.