What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

The most challenging part of my role is single-handedly managing the legal, compliance and privacy functions of a global business. My role as general counsel requires a comprehensive understanding of social media and our related business, as well as proactive management of legal, compliance, and privacy concerns. It requires staying ahead of regulatory changes, implementing robust privacy protocols, and providing strategic legal counsel to the executive team.

The role requires continuous mitigation of risk through risk assessments and cross-functional collaboration, fostering a culture of compliance. Adaptability and continuous learning are key in this dynamic environment, especially for a sole practitioner. As a member of the executive team, I get to do all of the above on a daily basis, while also influencing the direction of the business from a commercial perspective.

Have you used AI in your day-to-day work? If so, how useful do you find it?

The product and technology teams in Storyful are amongst the most innovative folks I have ever worked with. They have been adopting machine learning and AI since before they were in vogue. And it meant that we were early movers when it came to establishing governance frameworks around AI. We have recognised the significant potential of AI for some time now but also the importance of maintaining the confidentiality and security of our company’s information and that of our clients. From a business-specific perspective, we also recongise the threat that AI constitutes to the video verification business, and therefore we cannot afford not to be at the forefront of innovation in this space.

We have an active AI Risk Council that meets in person at least monthly, and more frequently as required. AI Impact Assessments are a regular part of our workflow, and we have established an online portal for submissions.

On a personal level, I use AI wherever possible, and within appropriate confidentiality and security parameters, to make my job easier. AI wrote the first draft of our AI Policy, for example, among a swathe of other draft policies and frameworks it has helpfully proposed.

How have you attempted to bring the legal department closer to your business colleagues?

I am privileged to be a part of the executive team, so I get the opportunity every day to work with my business colleagues, very frequently transcending the traditional role of a legal advisor. A general counsel can significantly enhance a business’s commercial success by going beyond legal advice and actively partnering with teams. By deeply understanding the company’s strategic goals, the general counsel ensures legal considerations align with business objectives.

Beyond that, however, I also get the great opportunity to influence those business objectives. Collaborating closely with colleagues in product, sales and editorial, for example, I help identify growth opportunities while managing legal risks, advising on market entries, contract negotiations, and partnerships that drive revenue.

This approach fosters sustainable growth, strengthens market position, and solidifies the general counsel’s role as a key contributor to the company’s success. The lines between “legal” and “business” have very much been blurred, but I think that is mutually beneficial, and it certainly makes my day-to-day more interesting and rewarding.