Team size: Four

What has been the number one challenge that has impacted you over the past year?

For me, the biggest challenge has been to keep raising the bar on management awareness, to keep up with local and international trends, to maintain the flexibility the business needs, and at the same time to maintain our standards, principles and values. This is not due to lack of interest or the wrong culture, but because we have to reinvent how to continuously engage the organisation with a similar message over the years. In addition, it is important that the legal department is seen as a steward of the company, but also as approachable, so that people are encouraged to speak up in the event of a potential incident.

Looking forward, what technological advancements do you feel will impact the role of in-house legal teams in the future the most?

For me, it is the automation of certain review and approval processes, which are repetitive and where legal advice can be standardised. Most likely, as artificial intelligence advances, the tool will “learn” and provide more accurate results, with monitoring and fine-tuning of the tool by a supervisory legal professional. I am thinking, for example, of development approvals, permit and licence tracking, etc. Many of these tools already exist, the next level is how these tools “learn” and add further value. Still, legal advice from a legal professional is irreplaceable.

What is a cause, business related or otherwise, that you care about, and why?

I am concerned about balance in life. I believe that to be better professionals, we must work on being better people in general. This includes working on our mental health through mindfulness, taking time off, balancing all aspects of life – work, self, family and friends, and community. This is important because it allows us to put into perspective the different situations we face at work and in other aspects of life, and to perform better in general. I have been particularly keen to invest time in myself, and I advocate that people to do the same, to find their own balance, as this will allow everyone to thrive.