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

I want to highlight the acquisition of two rent-a-car companies by Avis Budget Group. I coordinated the whole process and was the bridge between the board and the external lawyers who helped us through this operation. This was followed by integrating those companies into the Group, which entailed the participation of each department in implementing all the changes needed. It was necessary to ensure their full coordination. It was a very challenging and enriching experience. More recently, I coordinated the merging process of these two entities into the mother company.

I also coordinated the assessment and implementation of GDPR on the two companies acquired.

Currently, we are involved in a significant public tender, composed of several phases, in which the legal department is crucial to ensure that all the requirements are met.

Why are in-house lawyers well-placed to drive change within their organisations?

In-house lawyers are in a privileged position that allows them to have a deep knowledge of the business and the company. They have contact with the board and all the company’s departments. They have a full view of the company, the ongoing processes and its goals. At the same time, they are aware of the legal innovations and the possibilities of driving the organisation further on its goals, being able to provide the company with the necessary legal framework to implement the changes wanted or needed, avoiding risk, and always assuring that integrity and compliance are respected.

This balance between the knowledge and awareness of the legal world and business interests is the key to driving change within the company.

As we live in a fast-paced world today, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?

Nowadays, the world is full of information. The old classic rules can no longer limit multiple choices, technology and lawyers. Therefore, it is imperative to be creative, open-minded and to think outside of the box. This is combined with continuous training to keep up with the new legal norms released daily.

At the same time, they must follow the company’s values and goals. Therefore, I also highlight other skills such as being business-focused, curious and a good listener, humble and eager to learn. And never forget about the budget!

Finally, it is crucial to know the operation and have project management skills, be efficient in implementing procedures and have clear communication.

How do you suggest in-house lawyers build strong relationships with business partners?

Being authentic and clear communication is very important to settle a good and trustable relationship. It is essential to establish the company’s values and goals but also to listen to the business partners and build the relationship or the deal together, having an open mind for new solutions and alternatives that may be suggested, provided that they don’t collide with the company’s business purposes and values.