Team size: 10

What are the key projects that you have been involved in over the past 12 months?

Fexco Legal takes a lead role in all key legal engagements across the Fexco’s multiple domestic and international businesses. This includes negotiating key supplier/customer commercial contracts across the Fexco Group, as well as supporting Fexco’s growth by acquisition strategy through M&A advisory work. Our team also advises the business on compliance with legal and regulatory requirements including, over the past 12 months, advising on the implementation of DORA and updates to the financial services regulatory framework. Recent transactional engagements include supporting acquisitions and investments across the Group, including deals in the property management and financial services industries, and advising Fexco on key commercial projects including its partnership with a large public body for the provision of outsourced customer service support.

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

The in-house sector is growing significantly, currently representing 25% of solicitors in Ireland, which is a trend likely to continue as companies appreciate the benefit of having an integrated legal partner. The value brought to bear by an effective in-house legal counsel is one who has proven themselves to be a trusted partner who has a deep understanding of its business and can add value beyond the provision of legal advice. This involves being a strategic thinker who is solutions-driven and being proactive and innovative in supporting the business’ legal requirements. In-house counsel must not be afraid to ask questions to ensure the business’ objectives are understood, and they should be focused on working with their business stakeholders to implement legal strategies which support the business in achieving its goals. Building a relationship of mutual trust is critical to success, and an effective in-house counsel is also one who has worked hard to build a strong relationship with key stakeholders.

What strategies do you employ to ensure the successful digital transformation of a legal department while maintaining compliance with your country’s data protection laws?

Legal tech optimisation is fundamental to efficient and effective in-house legal service delivery and tech-enabled operational effectiveness is a key pillar of our legal team’s strategy, with a growing focus on AI. As a multinational company that operates in several regulated industries, data security and data privacy are critical to Fexco. We work closely with our internal stakeholders in technology and data protection to ensure that any new technologies or services, either introduced within the legal team or by any other Fexco businesses/support functions align with Group policies and legal and regulatory requirements.