Team size: nine

Can you briefly explain how the legal team is structured, highlighting key individuals and their role within the department?

Our legal team consists of eleven lawyers and legal advisors. We work closely as a team and handle all legal matters of relevance to the business. At the same time, each team member focuses on a specifically assigned area of law and is the main contact for assigned departments of the company. In this way, we can guarantee more specialised and expert advice. I want to mention Erik Skotland, legal director and leader of the team, secretary to the board of directors; Linda Dragvoll, responsible for concession and commercial contracts. The principal supervisor of corporate and tort matters is Eirik Dale.

Furthermore, Heidi Birkelund is main responsible for properties, land leases and drones. Line Foss Hals oversees labour law matters, and Jan Ove Strømmen is the main responsible for public procurement law, along with Ingvild Spilde and Lise Sveino Schøyen, who also oversees contract and IPR law. Trine Næssvik is the main responsible for IT and Technology, while Mari Wiker is in charge of GDPR, privacy compliance and ESG. And finally, Ingrid Tatjana Pulsen is responsible for construction law.

How does the team contribute constructively to the growth and expansion of the company?

We keep a constant focus on compliance, addressing challenges and improving practices, systems, and structures. We guarantee easy access to legal advice to the company, and all requests are answered promptly. We aim to communicate clearly with all the parts of the organisation and keep close relationships with different departments. Our lawyers and legal advisors have significant knowledge of the business and the company. While working close to the company’s management team and leaders of different departments, we ensure compliance and contribute to efficient and strategic commercial process decisions.

How do you feel the pandemic has changed the world of work for in-house counsel and the function of the general counsel?

The pandemic has severely affected the aviation sector and our company’s business. This has generated legal issues that would not manifest under normal circumstances. Our legal team has had a hectic period and has worked closely with management and departments to solve several pandemic related issues. We have turned to remote working and increased reliance on technology for meetings and contacts.

Our company has been through a rough period and will for a long time still face significant consequences. The legal department plays a crucial role in raising awareness of legal issues and finding solutions. Our lawyers have done an excellent job throughout the pandemic and have gained trust and acknowledgement from the organisation.

Linda Dragvoll
Legal counsel
Avinor