Team size: Five

Looking forward, what technological advancements do you feel will impact the role of in-house legal teams in the future the most?

Technological advancements have the potential to significantly improve the productivity and effectiveness of in-house legal teams, allowing them to focus on more strategic and high-value work. A few technological advancements are likely to substantially impact the role of in-house legal teams in the future: AI, machine learning, and deep learning technologies can automate repetitive tasks and improve the efficiency and accuracy of legal work. Additionally, AI-powered legal research tools can provide legal teams with more accurate and relevant information, enabling them to make better-informed decisions; electronic discovery technology, which automates the process of collecting and analyzing electronic data, will become increasingly important as more and more businesses are conducted electronically. This technology will enable in-house legal teams to efficiently collect, review, and analyze large amounts of electronic data during legal proceedings; remote working and virtual meetings will become more common in the future, and in-house legal teams will need to be able to work effectively in this environment regardless of their physical location.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

There are some qualities that could be beneficial for in-house lawyers: They need to understand all business aspects of their company (business acumen) and be able to provide legal advice that is tailored to the specific needs of the company; in-house lawyers need to be able to think strategically and anticipate legal issues that may arise in the future so that they can proactively put in place measures to mitigate risks; they must be able to communicate legal concepts and advice clearly and concisely that non-lawyers can understand; in-house lawyers often work closely with other departments within the company, so it is crucial that they can work well in a team environment, show adaptability and flexibility and maintain high emotional intelligence.

What can law firms do to improve their service to the legal department?

Law firms can do several things to improve their service to the legal department; firstly, they should take the time to understand the client’s business, including its operations, objectives, sensitivities, culture, and legal needs. This will help them to provide more relevant and practical legal advice. Law firms should communicate effectively with the legal department, providing clear, practical, and timely answers to legal concepts and advice. Additionally, law firms should be proactive in identifying potential legal issues and giving advice on mitigating risks; law firms should work with the legal department to find cost-effective solutions to legal problems. This can include providing alternative fee arrangements or using technology to streamline processes. Law firms should stay current with changes in the law and be able to advise on new and emerging legal issues, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and data privacy. They should look for ways to offer value-added services, such as training or education programs, that can help the legal department to improve its skills and knowledge. Overall, by understanding the client’s business, communicating effectively, being proactive and offering value-added services, providing cost-effective solutions, using technology, staying current, and fostering a long-term relationship, law firms can improve their service to the legal department.