How important is choosing to work with external lawyers who align with your company’s values? Are you likely to reconsider what firms you work with based on this?

Choosing to work with external lawyers who align with my company’s values is extremely important to me, especially regarding the values of integrity and diversity. It is also a way of bringing my contribution to the business environment and promoting the people I feel deserve to be at the forefront of the most challenging transactions.

Working with lawyers who share my company’s values can help ensure that legal advice is not only legally sound, but also considers broader ethical considerations. As general counsel, it is my responsibility to ensure that the external lawyers we work with are aligned with our values and committed to helping us achieve our goals in a responsible and sustainable manner. If we find that a firm is not aligned with our values, we are likely to reconsider our relationship with them.

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

In-house lawyers are well-placed to drive change within their organisations because of their unique position within the company. Being very close to management, in-house lawyers have a deep understanding of the business and its goals. This enables them to provide legal advice that is not only legally sound, but also considers the company’s broader objectives and values.

Furthermore, in-house lawyers are in a position to work closely with other departments, to ensure that the company’s values are integrated into all aspects of the business. In-house lawyers can also provide training and education to employees on legal and ethical issues, particularly in anti-bribery and other ESG matters, helping to create a culture of compliance and responsibility.

Overall, in-house lawyers have the opportunity to make a significant impact on their organisations by using their legal expertise to promote integrity and diversity. By working collaboratively with other departments, in-house lawyers can help ensure that their company operates in a way that is legally compliant, responsible and sustainable.