Team size: 17

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

The main challenge that impacted me over the past year was moving from a private practice to an in-house legal role. It required adapting to a new working environment where I am a part of the corporate entity, rather than working for several clients.

This change brought new responsibilities, such as working with multiple departments and members at different levels within the organisation. It has been a significant shift from my previous role where I was focused solely on providing legal advice on ad hoc matters to different clients. Now, I must navigate the complexities of a big corporate structure and collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure that the legal needs of the organisation are met.

It has been a challenging but exciting transition and I am grateful for the opportunity to broaden my legal expertise and experience in this new role.

Can you outline your role in the legal function of your organisation and any significant cases or transactions you were involved in?

As a legal professional within Johnson & Johnson, I am responsible for providing business-critical advice and support to teams across the organisation. I am also involved in critical negotiations and the drafting of various legal documents to safeguard company interests, and developing and implementing company policies and procedures to minimize legal risk and promote compliance.

However, my role goes beyond providing legal advice and ensuring the legality and compliance of the company’s operations. Legal function within Johnson & Johnson has an important and guiding position in all business decisions. Therefore, I am also a strategic business partner of the organisation.

I am involved in several projects that address the parallel trade – one of the biggest challenges in the Turkish pharmaceutical industry. I am part of the teams at the EMEA level working to develop strategies and implement measures that will help address this issue. I am also working with the relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that the necessary regulations are in place to prevent parallel trade activities.

In what ways do you see the in-house legal role evolving over the next few years?

The role of in-house counsel has undergone a transformation into a more strategic and integral part of the business. Instead of simply offering legal advice, in-house counsel now plays a key role in decision-making and navigating complex challenges faced by the organisation. By becoming a part of the executive team, in-house counsel can offer solutions that go beyond just legal advice. They have become decision-drivers, with a deep understanding of the organisation’s unique needs, internal politics, workflows, industry trends, and legal requirements.

This knowledge will put in-house counsel in a prime position to determine the best decisions and strategies for their business, compared to outside counsel who may not have the same level of familiarity with the organisation.