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

Concerning the world of work for in-house counsel, I feel that there are three main changes. Firstly, in-house counsel have been confronted with difficult legal questions resulting from the fact that the pandemic shook up the operations of all businesses. Some of the legal issues were ‘make or break’ issues. Secondly, keeping calm and confronting difficulties with a clear mind when everybody around you loses their cool has been key. It showed how essential soft skills like resilience, self-control, team spirit, and a ‘can-do-attitude’ are for in-house counsel. The pandemic repeatedly proved that it is not the legal skills of an in-house counsel but their soft skills as displayed by character and attitude. It reminded me that the old saying applies: ‘Hire for attitude’. And lastly, collaboration tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Zoom and so on have become the norm overnight. This technological advance has been exponential for in-house lawyers. It shows that the ability to adapt and change how we communicate and collaborate with other functions can be so easy and convenient no matter where the colleagues’ office is located.

As per changes to the function of the general counsel, reflecting on the past years of the pandemic, I see three fundamental changes. Firstly, the role and responsibility of the general counsel have evolved significantly. If the shutdown of the economy in 2020 puts the business at risk, then it is not good enough to provide legal advice and manage legal risks. As a general counsel, you had one task: get out of your legal comfort zone of ‘advising’ the business, get into the habit of rolling up your sleeves, and manoeuvre the company through the storm. Taking decisions, getting things done, and being a trusted personal guardian and a guide to the CEO have been key. Secondly, exchanging regularly with general counsel in other companies to brainstorm and develop best practices when dealing with legal and operational issues during the pandemic has proven necessary and helpful. This cooperative and collaborative rather than purely competitive way of working has made a big difference to me. With Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet, it has become so easy and convenient to exchange with colleagues at companies inside and outside of Germany. Lastly, taking good care of the teams was a game-changer during the pandemic. We all balance our professional and private lives. Listening, empathy, teamwork and leadership have become more important skills for general counsel. My job was to listen and learn what my colleagues needed from the company and me to deal with the pandemic professionally and personally—and then provide it to them wholeheartedly. Honestly, I had the most personal conversations with my team members over Teams. It helped me better understand how we need to collaborate to get the jobs done in the company’s best interest.