About

The five-strong legal team at ConocoPhillips Norge, the Norwegian wing of the multinational energy corporation, is led by senior counsel Elin Roedder Gundersen who has over 15 years of experience at the company. An important facet to the team’s work is to provide support on major transactions as well as to navigate complex Norwegian employment law as effectively as possible for the business. An important example of the latter is the implementation of ConocoPhillips’ global substance abuse testing program, a project that was extremely complex due to Norwegian law initially challenging its validity, but resolved via the team’s work to create a thorough and innovative solution in compliance with both global company policy and Norwegian legislation. Difficult market conditions related to price and cost challenges in the oil and gas industry have necessitated the team work more efficiently, having to do more with fewer resources to continue to provide a high standard of legal support, reduce legal costs, utilise technology and collaborate with clients as effectively as possible. There are several ways Gundersen and team have achieved this. As well as developing internal contract templates the team has proactively participated in efforts to design and agree industry-wide model contracts in conjunction with external parties. Further displaying their awareness and involvement of matters in the industry sector, the team are active in industry bodies such as the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers and the Norwegian Oil and Gas Association. Truly a business partner, more than a traditional external legal advisor, and with intimate knowledge of company business and strategies, the ConocoPhillips Norge team and its members are proven contributors via their cross-functional and collaborative approach dedicated to best practice and commercial results.