Team size: Nine

Which recent political, economic, or regulatory changes have impacted the company and the team the most?

Covid-19 regulatory measures as well as market conditions impacted our team and related market the most. Domestic market sales through a network of 1,700 gas stations, sales market of aviation, marine, industrial, and other oil, and gas sales activities faced unprecedented challenges due to Covid-19 related restrictions on movements of goods and people.

Our team made extra efforts to address emerging regulatory measures and legal questions on a wide range of legal topics such as force majeure, contract law implications, extraordinary law provisions designating cup on gross profit margin for the sale of fuels, mandatory rent reductions and more.

As a vital sector of the national economy, oil and gas companies had to stay fully operational during the pandemic to service the market, address all above topics and handle emerging cases and problems. Labour law’s extraordinary regulation provided for remote work as well as many other new challenging working prerequisites (use of masks, limitations on physical meetings, cancellation of educational events). We had to set up remote work facilities, establish connection to remote teamwork software, remote data storage, but mostly learn how to be efficient, collaborative, and fast in a completely new business environment.

In what ways do you see the in-house legal role evolving in your region over the next few years?

National justice systems play a key role in upholding the rule of law and facilitating growth. The need for change urges external legal services to expand support and work closer with internal teams towards alternative methods of resolving disputes.

The introduction of legal tech products into daily life fights disparity and provides professionals with more means to conduct their business, irrespective of physical abilities, location, or financial condition. Scientific and business diversification is a main characteristic of the new era.

In-house counsel will develop strong synergies to collaborate, combining generation diversity, passion, vision, and experience while using IT and AI supporting technology to provide their internal clients, business and society with ycomplete teams that can break barriers.

How has the increasing consciousness of climate change and sustainability affected the company and the team’s priorities?

The group that I work with set up the clear target to be a competitive, extroverted, and innovative energy group, a pioneer in promoting sustainable development and energy transition. As in-house lawyers we must do our best to support internal clients with legal advice and expand our knowledge and abilities on a wide range of energy sectors.