What are the projects that you are most proud of working on over the past 12 months?

The company I work for is a great example of an established institution on the one hand, with all the required experience, expertise and maturity involved, but on the other hand, it has many characteristics of an agile start-up. Over the past few years, we have immersed ourselves in a successful SaaS transition, through the inevitable trial and error, and I am very proud of what we have accomplished within such a short period of time. As part of this transition, last year we established several strategic partnerships, launched a range of new products within our feedback suite, gained many new customers, and implemented a new compliance tool. I get a kick out of partnering with various departments and combining all the knowledge when realising this. And learning from each other and celebrating the successes together afterwards.

What do you think sets you apart from other in-house counsel?

I think what sets me apart as an in-house counsel is my unique blend of creativity, deep product understanding (tech-savvy), and a combination of traditional legal expertise and a startup mindset:
– I’m very creative and, at work, this allows me to approach legal challenges with innovative solutions. For example: my graphic design skills give me an edge in communicating complex concepts visually and effectively, making legal guidance more accessible and engaging for colleagues and customers.
– Beyond creativity, my strong commercial and communication skills further set me apart, as I excel at translating complex legal issues into clear, pragmatic advice for both internal teams and external stakeholders. Whether working with colleagues just out of college, executives, or investors, I ensure that legal considerations are not just understood, but also actionable. I always strive for my advice or considerations to be pragmatic and facilitate business growth or commercial goals, rather than hinder progress or become a hick-up in the process.
– If I get the same question from someone within the organisation twice, it may be a coincidence, but the third time means something is obviously not clear; then it can and should be done or communicated better — and I’ll get right on it. I really like process improvement and have a problem-solving mindset when developing policies and procedures to support and/or protect the organisation.
– Perhaps the most defining aspect of my background is the combination of my experience at a renowned international law firm and a startup accelerator. This mix gives me both the steady legal expertise of traditional corporate law and the agility of a startup mindset. I understand the importance of risk management and compliance, but I also focus on innovation and adaptability and have a forward-thinking approach/mindset. I love to work in dynamic environments and embrace change: I love the challenge of driving growth while maintaining legal protection.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

A modern in-house counsel should have a deep understanding of the business to provide legal advice that is not only sound, but also aligned with the company’s objectives. Beyond simply “knowing the law”, you must be aware of the industry landscape, commercial goals and financial priorities to ensure that your legal decisions support growth and stay in sync with the company’s strategic direction.

You don’t always have to squeeze every last drop out and you don’t always have to be right; relationships (with executives, employees, and external parties) and balanced interests are incredibly important. This is also where leadership and collaboration come into play: as an in-house counsel you work closely with different departments and this role extends beyond risk management. This requires the ability to communicate effectively, and the skill to translate complex legal principles into practical guidance and advice that everyone can easily understand and apply in their daily work and operations.

A skilled in-house counsel must not only identify risks but also come up with solutions that are both legally compliant and commercially viable. You need to be able to bridge that gap between legal requirements and business innovation, to ensure that legal concerns do not become (unnecessary) roadblocks. This means sometimes taking a risk, but moreover: being pragmatic, letting creativity flow, and thinking beyond traditional frameworks.

Lastly, especially if you work for a SaaS-company, understanding technology is essential for a modern in-house counsel. You must be familiar with the services you offer and have in-depth knowledge about data privacy and cybersecurity. In this fast-past-paced digital world, it’s key to keep up to date and stay informed about evolving regulations and best practices, to safeguard the organisation against potential risks and liabilities.