Could you share with us the story of your path to becoming an in-house counsel? What motivated you to choose this career path?

My path to becoming an in-house counsel was driven by a deep-seated passion for integrating legal expertise with business strategy. My career began in a law firm where I was immersed in a variety of legal disciplines, but I found myself gravitating towards areas that are crucial for corporate entities, such as contract law, intellectual property, and compliance. This early exposure helped me appreciate the complexities of legal challenges faced by businesses and sparked a desire to play a more central role in navigating these challenges.

In your role as an in-house counsel, what are the main responsibilities and tasks you handle on a day-to-day basis?

In my role as in-house counsel, I navigate various daily tasks, from ensuring legal compliance with local and international laws, managing contracts, identifying and mitigating legal risks, to advising on regulatory changes. My work involves close collaboration across departments, a deep understanding of our business, and clear communication to align legal strategies with our company’s goals. These responsibilities require a combination of legal expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to communicate complex legal issues in a way that non-legal colleagues can understand.

What are some of the key challenges you have faced as a rising star in-house counsel, and how have you overcome them?

In my role as an in-house counsel, I have faced and overcome challenges such as adapting to the rapidly evolving legal landscape in critical areas such as data protection, sanctions, and competition laws, and managing the diverse expectations of internal stakeholders with varying priorities. Addressing these challenges demands continuous learning, embracing legal technology for efficiency, and strengthening communication skills. Networking, participating in seminars, and fostering clear, consistent communication channels and regular check-ins with key departments have been essential in staying informed and building consensus. Overcoming these challenges has been a journey of personal and professional growth.