Team Size: One

What are the most significant cases or transactions that you have recently been involved in?

We have recently raised US$100M in a Series B financing round, obtained a significant amount of financing for capital equipment to facilitate growth, and enhanced intellectual property protections.

How important is choosing to work with external lawyers who align with your company’s values? Are you likely to reconsider what firms you work with based on this?

It is crucial for outside counsel to align with our company’s values. They represent the company publicly and must uphold our business and social values. With no shortage of great outside counsel, firms are evaluated based on their understanding of the company and its strategies, needs, and values.

In general, what would you like to see change about the external law firms you use?

We look for firms that understand that their value is in providing advice that is tightly tied to the company’s strategy. They must have a thorough understanding of the business. Simple services, like black-letter summaries and templates, are available from online resources at a significantly more affordable price. Firms also need to meet budgets and recognise the disparity between their rates and small company resources.

As we enter the next decade, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?

Similar to outside counsel, in-house legal teams will succeed when they align themselves with business goals and strategies. The successful law department proactively seeks solutions to legal and regulatory hurdles, proves its value as an essential business function, and focuses on providing high-level advice rather than merely completing tasks.

How do you suggest in-house lawyers build strong relationships with business partners?

It is crucial that in-house lawyers: (i) meet with business partners to understand their work and challenges, and how the law department can help them; (ii) volunteer to lead business initiatives; (iii) hold office hours in an open, neutral location; (iv) align the law department’s initiatives with the company’s goals; and (v) do great work.