Team size: Nine 

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?  

This will sound very simple, but it has proven very effective and zero cost. At our weekly team meetings, everyone is encouraged to share a ‘tip of the week’ with the rest of the team. This could be from past or recent experience, and recent examples include working more effectively (from work smart, not hard ethos), using technology or AI to enhance a transaction, or a new development in a business division. Sharing good and bad experiences has proven to be cathartic and led to a few laughs. 

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

This is a key everyday challenge particularly as both areas can really suck up a huge amount of time if left without effective guardrails. For external counsel, we set out clear expectations of the way we like to work from the outset and every engagement includes a set of ‘guidelines’ about working effectively as a team. We encourage and challenge external counsel to come up with ideas of how to work better and efficiently together. 

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

There is a growing emphasis on corporate sustainability and ESG compliance. General counsel is likely to have to incorporate these considerations into their legal strategies and advise on related risks and disclosures. 

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?  

Blockchain technology will become increasingly important for smart contracts, secure document management, and ensuring the integrity of legal records. Our team subscribes to blockchain and legal tech publications, participate in webinars and seminars, and engage with blockchain-focused legal organisations.