Major legal advisers: Baker & Mckenzie

Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?

Producing innovative recommendations, solutions and ideas is now part of the mindset of the general counsel. Improving response time, while maintaining efficiency and quality of work is a fundamental part of any legal role, and it is crucial to do so while remaining trusted advisors. Recently, we implemented an innovative solution that allows for the mitigation of certain compliance risks with timely stakeholder analysis and repository, not only to expedite an internal process with high volume of requests but also to have records of it. With this, the legal department have more time to focus on critical matters, including assessing solutions, bringing innovative solutions, strategies, and new tactics drivers to align to the new shift for legal, and adopting technology and the latest techniques while modernising internal and external offerings.

Can you foresee any key developments to the way general counsel work over the next five years?

In the coming years, general counsel must be able to tackle almost any legal topic, regardless of whether they have received training or have any type of expertise or experience. In addition to this, general counsel need to serve as strategic and trusted advisors, becoming comfortable playing a role in a vast range of business-related issues, acquiring non-legal capabilities, financial and operational acumen, and project management expertise, among other skills.