Focus On…Legal counsel and general counsel of the future

Once upon a time, general counsel headed legal teams, spent their entire professional career in-house, administered the legal queries that were brought to them for review, and provided feedback to those who asked. This model changed at the turn of the millennium – which heralded the arrival of a new generation of counsel; those who had experienced the life of outside counsel in private practice and decided to move in-house.

This new generation of counsel shifted paradigms and working styles; legal counsel became business partners, with a seat at the table, and owners of their own risk category. Experienced in private practice, legal counsel increased the legal departments’ credibility and standing within the corporate world. Yet, the focus of that generation remained on the handling of legal issues. Now, with the passage of time and the rise of important new challenges for companies worldwide, time has come for another change – the counsel of the future.

Three main characteristics distinguish the counsel of the future from their predecessors.

Broader thinking is a distinct feature of the counsel of the future. Legal is a both a risk and a business opportunity. Topics such as ESG and sustainability have increasingly become vital factors for a company’s freedom to operate. For legal counsel, ESG is a key element of a holistic risk and responsibility framework, moving to the centre of work. As we experienced during the pandemic, risk- if handled well – can turn into opportunity; challenges, if mastered successfully, become chances. ESG needs, if addressed with innovation, can contribute to enabling a healthier world.

At Lonza, sustainability and ESG are embedded in the company’s strategy, and the sustainability team is part of the legal, risk and responsibility department. In our view, ESG is an ongoing journey and a chance to create a better world and a competitive advantage. The in-house counsel of the future therefore think further, beyond purely legal questions, and have a holistic perspective on risk and opportunities.

The second distinguishing feature of the counsel of the future is their ability to take ownership. Over the years, the world has become less stable and more challenging. A major lesson from the pandemic was that great companies outperform in times of crisis because they anticipate risk and turn it to opportunities. The legal team contributes by staying ahead of the curve and taking active ownership in identifying and addressing risk and opportunities. Mental agility and an innovative mindset, information sharing, fact-based analytic rigor, and resilience are the key principles to follow.

The third and final distinguishing feature is the responsibility to develop oneself and develop others. Careers cannot be planned because there are too many factors that can influence life. However, eligibility for jobs on a certain aspiration level can be planned. Talent development is therefore a joint responsibility of each employee and the company. Thus, lawyers have to develop themselves, and the general counsel must develop their teams. Developing others involves providing opportunities to grow and fostering teamwork and trust.