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?  

In one of our recently completed multi–billion-dollar projects in the hospitality sector, I approached one of the reputed law firms to depute one of their Para Legals in the legal department to work for a couple of months at no extra cost. The purpose was to train the paralegal in our in-house legal work, which will help the paralegal understand how the in-house law of an extensive conglomerate functions so that, in turn, the Law Firm’s interaction with us improves. On the other hand, the young paralegal got the experience of a lifetime.  

We are keeping all our files online and, in the cloud-based system so that we no longer have to use physical papers and files. Becoming digital and using cloud storage helps us save costs and physical space. As you can understand, this practice has brought good savings for a large conglomerate like ours. 

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

In a significant simultaneous acquisition of an English company and a US entity, both in the technologically complex defence sectors, the legal department completed both purchases on time. The UK acquisition was one of the first tests under the National Security legislation. Similarly, the US acquisition was also subject to tough new security regulations in their respective countries.  

We have also been involved in a multibillion-dollar project; the legal department struck a deal with a significant party, avoiding a stalemate holding up the project and seriously affecting its future. It was a complex negotiation led by the legal department, which was completed, avoiding significant financial loss.  

If you had to give advice to an aspiring in-house lawyer or general counsel, what would it be and why?  

I would say this: Your USP is your legal expertise; be the best in it; be business-minded since general counsel are there as long as businesses are there; have good knowledge about the companies; maintain very good interpersonal relationships across-the-board; be in the learning mode all the time; be technology friendly and willing to learn it; develop a sound and motivated legal team; develop practical communication skill, both written and verbal and; and be a leader by leading from the front.