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

The pandemic has transformed everyone’s lives but also presented the world with a plethora of opportunities for those willing to explore non-traditional and innovative solutions to the new day to day operations. 

For instance, the transition to a mostly digital work/life environment was accelerated, forcing in-house legal teams to come up with solutions to rapidly adapt to this “new normal”. Also, remote work was almost unavoidable when the pandemic first hit and governments around the globe restricted travel, social gatherings and issued stay at home orders. The work for in-house counsel has been impacted by the pandemic underlining change that was in essence underway. 

Additionally, solid legal concepts such as fortuitous events and force majeure required rapid responses from the in-house legal teams to try to find solutions that could strengthen the company’s position while also continue its day to day operations. 

The pandemic has forced the function of the general counsel to expand. Now we do not just manage and oversee day-to-day legal operations, but also help the business as an internal trusted partner in the identification and implementation of new business opportunities within the organisation. The function of the general counsel has transformed into a strategic role. 

Legal operations within organisations are transforming as we see a powerful trend in which general counsel do not merely advise in legal issues but also strategically help in identifying risk-balanced business opportunities that ensure both success and revenue. In addition, fields like data protection, law and technology (AI regulation, blockchain and smart contracts are some examples) offer a vast array of options to develop new lines of businesses. The in-house lawyer of today must be able to identify, communicate and help shape them, as we see most companies have been transitioning from the narrow concept  of a legal department to a broader idea of legal operations. 

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

In a fast-paced, diverse industry such as financial services, the in-house lawyers are required to have a deep and unique understanding of the law. Moreover, examples of other unique qualities to be successful in this industry are: efficiency, being results-driven, innovation, resiliency, out of the box thinking and trustworthiness.