Team size: 13 

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?  

I have led my legal and commercial team to develop Schindler Commercial Academy which consists of seven legal and commercial courses that take 40 hours to complete. The objective of this innovative project was to develop the organisation’s commercial capabilities and drive the sustainable and profitable growth of our business. In addition, we have developed a fully digitised contract manager process using App4Legal to streamline and accelerate our contractual processes. Through this system, legal and business can work together on the mutual collaborative platform to review and amend contracts and secure all necessary documentation and approvals. Our commercial excellence journey has been supported by developing an intranet page that gives our business colleagues full access to our legal and commercial templates, forms, and tools.  

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

I have empowered my team to manage the day to day legal and commercial activities so that I can dedicate some time to manage the high-level disputes resolution and M&A matters. Having balanced limits of authorities between the team enables each of us to put focused efforts in delivering and accelerating business results and culture improvement.  

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

Here are some key developments that could influence the role of general counsel over the next five years:  

General counsel will need to enhance their understanding of technology, data privacy, and cybersecurity. They may be required to navigate emerging legal issues related to artificial intelligence, blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and data protection regulations. 

As corporate transparency and social responsibility become more critical, general counsel may play a larger role in advising on ethical frameworks, sustainability practices, and compliance with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. 

New regulations and legal frameworks will continue to emerge globally, particularly in areas such as data protection, consumer rights, and cybersecurity. General counsel will need to stay updated on these developments and guide their organisations accordingly. 

The adoption of legal technology, including AI-powered tools, will increase, automating routine legal tasks, contract management, regulatory compliance, and legal research. General counsel may need to integrate these technologies into their workflows for efficiency gains. 

General counsel will increasingly collaborate with other departments such as compliance, risk management, IT, and human resources. This partnership will be crucial in managing legal risks and aligning legal strategies with overall business objectives. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated remote work and virtual collaboration. General counsel may need to adapt to remote work dynamics, utilise video conferencing platforms, and develop remote-friendly legal processes. 

Organisations are increasingly prioritising DEI initiatives, and general counsel may be involved in implementing inclusive policies, conducting equity audits, and fostering diverse legal teams. 

General counsel may explore alternative service delivery models, such as partnering with external legal service providers, using managed legal services, or implementing legal process outsourcing (LPO) to optimise costs and increase efficiency. 

These developments could significantly impact the way general counsel work and interact within their organisations. However, the specific changes will depend on various factors, including industry-specific dynamics, emerging trends, and regulatory changes.