What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

In Amazon, we focus extensively on our leadership principles. While all of them apply to the role of in-house counsel, I believe the following are particularly important:

Customer Obsession: First and foremost, an effective in-house counsel must maintain unwavering focus on their internal clients’ needs. This means understanding the business thoroughly and delivering pragmatic, commercial legal solutions rather than purely academic answers.

Learn and Be Curious: The legal landscape is constantly evolving, particularly in areas like technology, data protection, and regulatory compliance. In-house counsel must demonstrate intellectual curiosity and commitment to continuous learning to stay current with legal developments and emerging business trends.

Based on your experiences in the past year, are there any trends in the legal or business world that you are keeping an eye on, of which you think other in-house lawyers should be mindful?

The rapid evolution and deployment of artificial intelligence in legal practice has emerged as a pivotal trend that demands close attention from in-house counsel. Over the past year, we’ve witnessed considerable developments in this space that are reshaping how legal work is performed. The emergence of sophisticated AI tools like ‘Amazon Q’ is transforming routine legal tasks. As this technology continues to advance, it’s crucial for in-house counsel to actively engage with these developments while maintaining appropriate safeguards and professional standards.