Team Size: Seven

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

Our task portfolio primarily consists of cases where tenants have acted contrary to applicable legislation. Additionally, I am currently observing an increase in cases related to municipalities wanting to change their use of certain properties in which they are tenants. This is due to their need to allocate space for, for example, the elderly and disabled. Consequently, this leads to a range of legal challenges, as social housing is subject to numerous regulations and cannot simply be used for purposes other than those for which it was built.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

I would say so, as my sector is largely politically governed by ordinary people who, while being decision-makers, are also tenants or residents of the properties that my team and I help to manage. Therefore, it requires a high degree of insight into the tenant democracy system and business understanding if you are to succeed as a lawyer in the social housing sector. Furthermore, it also requires the ability to seek solutions that everyone can agree on, as the most appropriate legal solution is often not the right one for the individual housing organisation.

How have you fostered a closer collaboration between the legal department and your business counterparts?

My team and I engage in daily dialogue with our business counterparts, consistently checking if there are any aspects they wish to change. Additionally, I conduct annual visits to each business manager, where we gauge the status of our cooperation and identify any skills or resources they may be missing.

Do you have a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

I am particularly passionate about ensuring that my department offers advice that upholds a high legal standard, while also being understandable and practical for each housing organisation. Furthermore, I am dedicated to ensuring that residents and tenants are treated fairly and in accordance with applicable legislation. This is especially crucial given the lengthy scheduling times in the Danish court system, where in some instances, it can take over one and a half years from the issuance of a summons until the case is heard.