Looking forward, what technological advancements do you feel will impact the role of in-house legal teams in the future the most? Which have you found most useful in your legal team?  

ChatGPT is the current technological advancement in AI and has the potential to significantly impact the role of in-house legal teams. I personally believe that ChatGPT can be a useful tool for legal research, especially in situations where resources are limited.

A primary way ChatGPT impacts in-house legal teams is by providing a faster and more convenient means of obtaining preliminary answers, with research being conducted later on to verify the findings. This can be particularly beneficial in situations where quick access to information is required.

Furthermore, ChatGPT can assist in drafting documents. By providing key points or desired content, legal professionals can leverage ChatGPT’s capabilities to quickly generate first drafts quickly. It can even rephrase sentences to make them more engaging and easily understandable to non-legal stakeholders. This feature can be valuable when time is of the essence and legal professionals need to communicate complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner.

In some cases, ChatGPT’s capabilities may lead to considerations regarding the role of in-house legal teams. For smaller companies that do not engage in extensive M&A transactions or complex legal matters, ChatGPT’s efficiency and accuracy may make it a viable substitute for some aspects of the in-house legal function.

While ChatGPT can provide quick answers and generate drafts, the accuracy and reliability of the information it presents may vary. Legal professionals must exercise caution and use their legal skills to verify the accuracy of each statement made by ChatGPT. It is essential to conduct thorough research, ensuring that the information aligns with applicable laws, regulations, and jurisdiction-specific requirements.  ChatGPT should not be seen as a complete replacement for human legal expertise; the critical thinking, judgment, and nuanced understanding that human professionals bring to the table cannot be replicated by AI alone.

Nonetheless, ChatGPT can be a valuable tool for in-house legal teams, especially when resources are limited. It can assist in conducting preliminary searches and narrowing the scope of research by focusing on specific acts, clauses, or legal principles. This can save time and effort, allowing legal professionals to concentrate on higher-level analysis and strategy development.

As we enter the next decade, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?  

In today’s professional landscape, the importance of soft skills has surpassed mere knowledge and technical expertise. This holds particularly true for corporate legal professionals working in-house. What sets them apart and makes them valuable assets to their organisations is their ability to effectively communicate with business stakeholders and bridge the gap between complex legal matters and the understanding of non-legal individuals.

As a legal in-house professional, your success hinges on your capacity to provide clear and concise answers to business stakeholders’ inquiries, ensuring that your findings are relatable and comprehensible. While legal knowledge is undoubtedly important, the primary focus should be on utilising that knowledge to assist and support the business in finding effective solutions.

Soft skills, unlike technical or hard skills, are transferrable across different jobs and industries. Therefore, investing time and effort in developing and honing these skills is crucial.

Creativity also plays a vital role in the success of a corporate legal in-house professional; it enables legal professionals to approach complex issues from fresh perspectives, think innovatively, and devise novel solutions. In the corporate environment, where legal challenges can be multifaceted and unique, the ability to think creatively can make a significant difference. Summarily, creativity complement the repertoire of soft skills required by corporate legal in-house professionals.