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?

As observed, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region is continuing to see an increase in the number of listed entities. In-house legal teams are in absolute need to ramp up their technological advancements not only for routine case, document monitoring and legislation updates, but also for monitoring peer business advancements, requisite regulatory disclosures, and compliances. Furthermore, even post Covid-19, our dependence on virtual meetings and cloud technology has increased. Even today, preference is e-meeting rather than physical meeting; e-meetings coupled with cloud technology are, and will, continue to positively impact in-house legal teams in the future.

What is a cause, business related or otherwise, that you care about, and why?

In the healthcare industry, clinical excellence aces all priorities. In-house legal departments need to understand the business needs, required improvements and expectations. Today, a healthcare legal counsel’s role requires much more than reviewing contracts and ensuring compliances. We have to deep dive into the business, its needs, and areas of improvements qua excellence. Today’s legal counsel plays a pivotal role in the business, its development, and new ideas, in as much as the executive operational teams.

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

The healthcare industry is well regulated all over the world. The primary requirement for in an in-house lawyer in our industry is understanding regulations, their advancements, ensuring timely compliance in sync with commercial business needs. As in-house lawyers, we have to wear a thinking hat and fully understand operations of the business.

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

External counsels need to develop industry specialised teams to address client requirements, simultaneously optimising value for fees paid to external counsel.