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

As a small, new team within a growing organisation, we have made significant progress in a short space of time. One of our key achievements has been gaining the trust of our investment colleagues, allowing us to become a true strategic partner within deal teams. This shift has contributed to transactions closing more smoothly and efficiently. We have even received direct appreciation from clients for our professional approach during negotiations.

Additionally, we have significantly reduced external legal costs by insourcing a substantial portion of legal work, enabling us to provide high-quality support while optimising our budget. A key part of this cost-saving initiative was the development of new template agreements and flowcharts for the business teams, alongside comprehensive training sessions to ensure smooth adoption.

Finally, we have built a quarterly legal survey from scratch, mapping out key developments in the diverse legal areas relevant to Invest International. Together with colleagues from other teams, we use this survey to advise the board on the impact and implementation of new regulations, thereby strengthening the company’s governance and compliance framework.

What strategies do you employ to ensure the successful digital transformation of a legal department while maintaining compliance with your country’s data protection laws?

I encourage the lawyers in my team to make full use of AI-powered tools, such as Co-Pilot, and to attend relevant webinars and seminars to stay informed about digital developments. To ensure we make informed technology choices, we have joined the ‘Tech in Legal’ platform, a Dutch initiative that helps legal departments navigate legal tech solutions without getting lost in vendor marketing.

To maintain compliance with data protection laws, we strictly avoid open/free AI tools and limit our use to licensed environments, such as Co-Pilot. We also maintain close cooperation with other departments, such as IT, and change and compliance, to ensure compliance with data protection regulations and to inform our colleagues about the potential risks of non-compliance. While some team members remain hesitant about AI, viewing it primarily as a tool for drafting and summarising, I firmly believe AI will soon offer greater efficiencies and lead to significant cost savings. This conviction motivates me to stay on top of digital innovations.

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

A modern in-house counsel should be well-rounded and adaptable, capable of handling a wide range of legal matters with ease. They should be proactive and solution-oriented, constantly seeking opportunities to contribute beyond the traditional scope of legal risk management. A commitment to continuous learning is essential, as laws and regulations are always evolving. Additionally, patience and resilience are key, as navigating complex corporate environments demands perseverance. Finally, a modern in-house counsel should be tech-savvy, with a willingness to explore AI and other legal tech innovations to stay ahead of the curve.