Team size: Five

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

Technological advancements that might impact the role of the in-house legal team are those that can, with minor resources, keep, organise, and analyse all the data, including historical data, of the company. Such a system would be able to analyse similar cases and transactions, and the legal team would be able to draw the relevant conclusions and fit the best solution, based on the experience from past cases to the current situation.

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

The unique qualities required for an in-house lawyer to be successful are being a team-player, deal maker, and a person of trust. As in-house lawyers provide legal services to all other departments of the company, they must know how to cooperate with other departments, and with its management, and to find the proper and legal solutions that balance the requirements of the management and all other departments of the company – all under the applicable law. The in-house lawyer must be sensitive, creative, and service minded in order to succeed in the aforementioned. In addition, the in-house lawyer must wisely and carefully manage negotiations with third parties in order to balance the interests and the requirements of the company, and to understand the red lines of the other party and its interests. Finally, the in-house lawyer must be a person of trust in order to be able to perform their duty in the best way possible. Otherwise, they will not get all relevant information and will not be fully involved in the company’s activity.

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

Law firms can improve their services to the legal department by learning about the business of the client and the key people working there. Better knowledge of the business can help external lawyers to focus on the real risks while allowing the company to develop its business and sign agreements with third parties with reasonable risks that are part of the business.