Why are in-house lawyers well-placed to drive change in their organisations?

There is no better investment than having an in-house lawyer in your company. Our advisory service is handmade for the company, turning ourselves into partners in business. As members of the team, lawyers can not only explore risks, but also help make decisions. We can promote changes in our companies thanks to the ethical standard that we can get to represent for others. A legal team that holds and maintains values such as integrity within organisations, can easily clear the path for a healthy performance in the market, and guide the conduct of their members into highly valued social principles.

As we live in a fast-paced world today, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?

I believe that legal departments must act in line with the business. We live in a fast-paced world, so in-house legal teams must be efficient, and hands-on. “Stopper lawyers” are old fashioned; we must be flexible, adaptable, and quick thinkers. In addition, a legal team must be team players with the rest of the company, feeling their problems as their own, translating legal complex language into simple words, and providing the right advice at the right time.

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

Empathy is the key. Nowadays, in-house lawyers must evolve into corporate executives with legal knowledge. If the lawyer understands and is committed to the business, they will become a highly valued key partner. Nonetheless, sometimes, instead of field players, lawyers need to position us as referees in sports: let the team play but stop the game when necessary. If the company comes to see their in-house lawyer as a partner that will play along with the team, but who will also be there to watch them perform business correctly, both ethical and legal, results will be easier to achieve. Companies that get to see their legal teams that way will naturally succeed.