Team size: Seven

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

The group legal is a separate department of Lyse AS, parent company within the Lyse group. The Lyse group is specialised in the energy field, including renewable, natural gas, district heating (being the third largest hydropower producer in Norway), telecom technology (with the largest provider of fibre optic services in Norway), and infrastructure powergrid. In addition, the leam has been involved in further development of renewable hydropower, offshore wind projects, telecom – and 5G FWA, and ESG-policy compliance.

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

The legal department were instrumental in the transaction with Hydro Norge AS; involving hydropower plants and resulted in the establishment of the third largest hydropower producer in Norway. Whilst undertaking divestment of LNG factory, we have handled several other transactions within the telecom sector. Having worked on joint venture with Shell and BKK within offshore wind, our ability of handling commercial contracts including force majeure regulations has greatly improved.

How can in-house legal teams be an integral part of their firm’s business?

In-house legal team needs to develop commercial awareness to provide legal advice seamless along with the business while considering the shareholders interest in terms of risk management. To support the business, it is key for us to analyse and work with regulatory issues relevant for the different business areas of practice.

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 increased focus on overall risk elements in projects and the challenge brought on by it allowed in-house counsel to be more involved in new projects with more effective digital working methods.

Leif Harald Jensen
General counsel
Lyse