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

Miniclip legal is involved in all transactions across the wider business. The legal team led the execution of 13 M&A deals over the last three and half years, significantly contributing to the Group’s rapid growth.

Furthermore, the team recently closed the largest European gaming deal this year through the acquisition of Sybo. This transformative deal has broadened Miniclip’s reach to 70 million daily active users with a global audience in over 195 countries across six continents.

In addition, the legal team works closely with the corporate finance department regarding M&A strategies, advising on regulatory issues, potential targets and other commercial investments in high-growth gaming and ancillary gaming companies.

As we enter the next decade, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?

The last two years have required all of us to become more flexible and adaptable in our approach to work. With far more uncertainty ahead, we will need to continue to build on these skills. Being able to react quickly to the needs of your business will be critical; therefore, the agility and ability to prioritise are extremely important. In a fast-paced business such as the gaming industry, being interested in and understanding the product is critical, as is an awareness of what’s on the horizon, whether it be regulatory change or technological advances. The other crucial factors are remaining relevant, getting the most out of your external counsel and truly bringing added value to the table.

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

At Miniclip legal, we don’t just recruit legal brainpower; getting people who are the right fit for the team is of the utmost importance. Building meaningful relationships with colleagues across the business drives the ability to deliver the best of services. We look for emotional intelligence: the ability to get the best out of people and the ability to mediate, advocate and solve problems.

The legal team should see the whole business and understand how their work fits the corporate strategy. Always be curious as to what is going on outside your to-do list.

We seek to find ways to add value after the ‘legal bit’ is done — lawyers can have excellent project management skills and pull together different strands of the business.