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

A successful in-house lawyer or general counsel in a large firm embodies a unique blend of legal expertise, business acumen, and interpersonal skills. Firstly, a deep understanding of the law and its application within the specific industry is paramount. This includes staying abreast of legal developments, regulations, and precedents relevant to the firm’s operations. Moreover, the ability to navigate complex legal issues with finesse and provide sound, practical advice is crucial. The most important quality is to create trust.

In addition to legal proficiency, effective communication and collaboration skills are essential. In-house lawyers must liaise with various stakeholders, including executives, department heads, and external counsels, to align legal strategies with business objectives. They must convey legal concepts in a clear and accessible manner, fostering understanding and buy-in across the organisation.

Furthermore, adaptability and problem-solving skills are vital traits. In-house lawyers often encounter novel challenges requiring innovative solutions. Whether it’s mitigating risks, resolving disputes, or structuring complex transactions, the ability to think creatively and strategically is indispensable.

Leadership qualities are also key for a general counsel or in-house lawyer to succeed in a large firm. They must inspire confidence, build effective teams, and cultivate a culture of compliance and ethical conduct. Additionally, a strong ethical compass and integrity are non-negotiable, as in-house lawyers serve as guardians of legal and ethical standards within the organisation.

Ultimately, a successful in-house lawyer or general counsel in a large firm combines legal expertise, business acumen, interpersonal skills, adaptability, and leadership to drive positive outcomes and safeguard the firm’s interests in a dynamic and challenging environment. From my view this goes for general counsels and in-house lawyers’ cross industries.

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

For me, an effective collaboration between in-house lawyers and other employees in a corporation should be enhanced through several measures. Firstly, fostering trust and an open communication channel is crucial, allowing for easy exchange of ideas and most importantly information. This goes both to and from the legal department. Additionally, providing regular training sessions in person or as e-learning for employees and stakeholders on legal matters relevant to their roles can promote a better understanding and legal compliance.

Encouraging a culture of mutual respect and trust between legal and non-legal teams also facilitates smoother collaboration. Furthermore, implementing clear policies and procedures for seeking legal advice and assistance can streamline processes and ensure timely support when needed. Finally, promoting cross-functional teamwork and involvement in decision-making processes fosters a sense of ownership and accountability, strengthening collaboration across the organisation. We are all on the same side – supporting the corporation through our different skills. The sooner the collaboration and information sharing begins, the sooner the trust based, and cross-department teamwork will result in enhanced results to the benefit of the corporation.

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

I am passionate about the conservation and breeding of tropical aviary birds and spreading information on the same and the joy of bird keeping and listening to bird sounds to the entire world. I do this via my channels on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. I have single videos which have been viewed over 90,000,000 times and have 1,000,000 subscribers.