As this research was being conducted, Rory Kilpatrick changed roles to general counsel at Queensland Rail.

What has been the number one challenge that has impacted you over the past year?

With a booming renewables sector and an ever-increasing order book, the demand for legal support across Hitachi Energy has never been higher. The Hitachi Energy legal team is proactively addressing this challenge through the implementation of creative and practical solutions to ensure that the business continues to receive high-quality, timely legal support from the existing resources (notwithstanding the significant increase in demand).

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

The collection and analysis of data will continue to provide significant opportunities for in-house teams to not only identify process efficiencies, but identify how legal teams can provide maximum value to their businesses. This will not only improve the quality of work that in-house teams are asked to deliver, but will further strengthen the value that high-performing in-house teams can bring to the businesses they serve.

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

You can’t be a successful in-house lawyer in the energy and utilities space unless you are solutions focused, commercial, and adaptable. You have to intricately know your business and be willing to drive internal stakeholders and customers alike to find practical solutions to often complex and challenging problems. Rarely does a day progress as planned and if you can’t prioritise an ever changing ‘to-do’ list, you will never survive!