How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?      

Managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises requires a reactive, proactive and adaptive approach.

It is key to ensure that the legal strategy is closely aligned with the business strategy to maintain the organisation’s resilience.

Firstly, it is essential to have a risk management framework in place. This involves identifying potential legal risks early and developing action plans to address them. Regularly updating the risk assessment and ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of the potential legal implications of their actions is crucial. This proactive approach helps in mitigating risks before they escalate into crises.

During periods of instability, communication becomes even more critical. Ensuring clear and transparent communication with all stakeholders, including employees, customers, and regulators, helps in maintaining trust and credibility. It is important to provide timely updates on any legal developments and how they might impact the organisation.

Another important aspect is flexibility. Legal teams and legal strategies must be adaptable to changing circumstances. Flexibility also involves staying updated with the latest legal developments and being ready to implement changes quickly.

Collaboration with other departments is also very important. Legal teams are business partners and have to work closely with business units to understand and support their projects and needs.

Lastly, developing a culture of compliance within the organisation is essential. This involves regular training programmes to ensure that all employees understand the importance of adhering to legal and regulatory requirements and avoiding many business risks with huge impact for the organisation.

By integrating these elements into the legal strategy, organisations can overcome periods of instability more effectively.

What strategic priorities are guiding you and your team in 2024?  

In 2024, our strategic priorities are centered around the following areas: firstly, we will provide legal support and implement the group’s strategy in the most business-oriented manner possible. Secondly, we are focusing, and will keep focusing on risk management, implementing new compliance tools, enhancing mandatory documentation and providing legal training and pedagogy to the operational teams including a culture of compliance behaviour within the organisation.

Additionally, we aim to improve the efficiency of the legal team by deploying news tools and begin to work on AI technology. We are also enhancing communication, presence, and visibility through a comprehensive communication plan.

These priorities are designed to ensure that the legal strategy aligns with the business strategy maintaining the organisation’s resilience and supporting its overall objectives

What emerging technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future, and how do you stay updated on these developments?  

Artificial intelligence (AI) is going to significantly impact the legal profession. Especially GenerativeAI will help legal teams to automate routine tasks, such as document review and legal research, enhancing efficiency and also help in building contract models, and legal design. It will also enable legal teams to get insights from data, helping to get advice and strategy building.

To stay updated on these technologies, I regularly attend conferences and webinars, and subscribe to newletters. I am also a member of professional networks and work with experts, which helps in keeping me informed of the latest trends and innovations.