Team size: Four

How do you feel the pandemic has changed the world of work for in-house counsel and the function of the general counsel?

Like many other businesses, we have been impacted by the pandemic and restrictions on working in the office. This has significantly increased a remote approach to work and the turn to virtual meetings. My department has always provided support through communication with colleagues. Therefore, we kept promoting close and contractive relations with co-workers and in-person meetings when permitted.

We have been able to adapt quickly and well to remote working; therefore, the impact of the pandemic on the efficiency and quality of work has been close to none. The effect has been more noticeable on work satisfaction and day-to-day interaction with colleagues, which we all suffered during the pandemic.

On the other hand, the turn to IT tools has also had positive aspects; it has pushed the agenda for digitalisation and automation, resulting in taking substantial steps in moving our work into digital models such as document management systems, automating processes of draft documents and introducing a corporate platform comprising all KYC documents, a board portal, and an archive with corporate records.

I do not consider the function of the general counsel to be changed during the pandemic. One obvious exception would be that risk management related to circumstances driven by the pandemic has become crucial, requiring meticulous scrutiny.

What will be the main focus for the company in the next 12 months and how do you intend to assist with this?

Since 2019, when the KK Wind solutions group was acquired by A.P. Møller Holding, it has continued its growth journey in terms of revenue and global expansion. We have been involved in M&A activities aimed at positioning KK Wind Solutions in other industries. The legal department plays a crucial role in driving such projects in partnership with internal and external stakeholders. In promoting diversified business activities across multiple jurisdictions, the legal departments will be responsible for handling all compliance and governance aspects.

What do you feel are the pros and cons of an in-house legal role compared to a private practice one?

The pros of an in-house legal role include being much closer to the business and in direct contact with management and decision-makers. I enjoy being involved in all the steps and processes of a case rather than working on specific tasks or issues, as often happens in private practice. Being in a technology-driven company that sells innovative solutions combined with supply chain expertise, I interface with colleagues with different educational backgrounds. The cons will, in some cases, include that there are fewer colleagues with legal experience to use for support and more limited sources and tools available (such as case law collections and legal literature).