Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

I started my career as a lawyer specialising in encryption technology, as I could understand the algorithms used (as I have a background in maths and physics).   

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

It is a fascinating time to be an in-house lawyer with AI disrupting the existing business model. AI has reduced a lot of the more tedious work undertaken by in-house lawyers such as research and due diligence reviews. AI can mark up a contract, but it does not have the ability to negotiate a contract with a counterparty. The attributes needed by in-house counsel, such as pragmatism, flexibility, emotional intelligence, and ability to read a room have become even more significant as they cannot be replicated by AI (at this time).