How do you balance your responsibilities as a GC with your involvement in dispute resolution and M&A matters?

It is very important to prioritise effectively. I start by working closely with the leadership team to gain a deep understanding of the company’s strategic priorities. In our legal department, which has a relatively flat structure in the eastern region, we have taken a strategic approach to managing these responsibilities. When it comes to dispute resolution, we often engage external lawyers who specialise in the specific markets of interest. This allows us to leverage their experience and resources while maintaining cost-efficiency. I closely oversee these outsourced dispute resolution efforts to ensure they are aligned with our strategy and goals.

On the other hand, mergers and acquisitions are typically handled in collaboration with both our in-house legal teams and the global legal department. This collaborative approach allows us to leverage the knowledge and experience of our lawyers across different regions.

Can you foresee any key developments to the way general counsel work over the next five years?

Crisis management and change management capabilities are fundamental qualities if one is to be a successful and efficient general counsel. International corporations will have to navigate a diverse set of constraints encompassing trade, data privacy, geopolitical implications, and alliances. The general counsel is key in shaping the appropriate legal strategy and essential controls. Moreover, as has already become the reality to some extent, general counsel will need to possess the skill to manage fully remote or hybrid teams while being inclusive. Furthermore, routine tasks can and will likely transition to AI-operated systems.

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?

While I cannot speak for the entire company, in my region we have some very tangible achievements, such as the move to reusable pallets at retailers in certain countries, which required some contractual amendments. We continue to work towards fully recyclable packaging while at the same time working to improve regulations in countries where they are outdated. It is worth noting that all charitable initiatives and support for local communities after E&C approval occur periodically in my region.

What emerging technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future, and how do you stay updated on these developments?

AI is undoubtedly booming. Overall, legal tech is a game changer as the hybrid working model becomes increasingly popular among project teams. I take relevant courses as they become available to ensure I remain as IT savvy as possible and encourage my team to do the same. Furthermore, I think it makes sense to have a dedicated legal operations officer on the team to meet stakeholder and client expectations.

How do you prioritize diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment?  

Our team comprises ten legal professionals, perfectly balanced to achieve the desired diversity, and an additional ten government and regulatory affairs experts, the majority of whom are women. Our teams are geographically distributed across the UAE, Poland, Russia, Turkey, and Egypt. Moreover, we participate in global legal mentoring programs and hold regular feedback sessions to ensure our legal and regulatory departments remain inclusive and equitable.

Can you discuss a particularly challenging dispute or M&A scenario you encountered and the innovative strategies you implemented to address it?

Handling complex M&A transactions in diverse regulatory environments has been a significant challenge. In such scenarios, the key strategy has been to maintain open and transparent communication with all stakeholders, including multiple authorities from different countries.  

Majdoleen Aboudi