Team size: Eight

Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?  

Majority of business nowadays is performed in a disruptive and dynamic environment with an emphasis on cost savings. The OSM Thome legal team view innovation as a means of advancing a strategic goal and corporate objectives more efficiently than other organisations. Through digital transformational and performance enhancing projects, we aim to increase the effectiveness of our processes and procedures. These include contract management and automation, knowledge management, document management and, where appropriate, self-service tools for low-risk processes. 

We are now working on redesigning governance processes, considering software applications and intranet tools to make approvals paperless and streamline process flows. We replaced the classic familiarisation sessions with advanced ways of education and training, such as video technology available on the company’s website, podcasts, and interactive online sessions, where we monitor our contiguous cases through an online material dispute report and watch list.  

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in? 

The most significant transaction I have been involved in lately was the merging of the OSM Maritime and the Thome Groups. The merged company, OSM Thome, is a powerhouse in the international ship management market, represented in 22 countries. Our in-house legal team concentrated on the transaction while continuing to offer reliable support to the rest of the organisation throughout the deal-making process. We have been involved in all stages of the transaction, including, but not limited to, the due diligence process, negotiations, contract drafting, competition applications and approvals, and post-closing legal matters. Being deeply involved in the biggest ship management merger in history is excellent exposure, enlightening, and beneficial for professional growth. 

How important is choosing to work with external lawyers who align with your company’s values? Are you likely to reconsider what firms you work with based on this? 

OSM Thome is committed to conducting all aspects of its business in line with the highest legal and ethical standards in the industry. This includes operating in accordance with our four core values; safety, transparency, relationships, and innovation.  

To effectively assist in achieving our business objectives, we must choose our partners carefully to ensure that they share our values, mission, and vision. Our agility as an organisation allows us to assess and reassess our objectives to maintain a realistic and proactive approach to our customers’ needs, making us adaptable to the changes we see in our industry.