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

In my opinion, the most important qualities for modern in-house counsel in a constantly changing environment are as follows. Business acumen and solutions-oriented approach: in-house counsel should be cognisant of the company’s strategic objectives and be able to position legal recommendations with strategy to be able to present tangible solutions that support commercial objectives, while still meeting legal requirements.

Flexibility and cross-functional collaboration skills: in a changing legal landscape, whether it be as a result of new legislation, development of technology, or changing market conditions, in-house counsel must be able to adapt to changes swiftly and undertake effective cross-functional collaboration to ensure that the company takes legal issues into consideration in the decision-making process.

Negotiation skills and clear communication: modern in-house counsel should have strong negotiation skills with respect to transactions, contracts and settlements and the ability to communicate complex issues simply and clearly.

Global mindset and commitment to ongoing learning: in a world where everything is becoming increasingly globalised, in-house counsel should appreciate the nature of cross-border legal issues and commit to continued professional learning, including current developments in the law, industry developments and technology, and international practice.

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?

Legal issues associated with artificial intelligence: AI is being used in more business functions than ever, and this leads to new legal challenges. For in-house lawyers, there is the need to oversee the way AI is being used in the company and to keep up to date with any laws or regulations that are being considered or implemented for the use of AI.

Data privacy and cybersecurity: data privacy and cybersecurity are more important than ever because of increasing cyber threats. Companies need to be alert to protect their data and customer data, thus in-house counsel must support and collaborate with IT to ensure adequate cybersecurity measures are surrounding the use of data, such as risk assessments, crisis management and assessing cybersecurity measures of suppliers.

ESG: ESG’s relevance is growing with investors, regulators, and consumers. It is important for in-house counsel to monitor compliance with ESG laws and regulations and incorporate ESG principles into the business strategy in a transparent manner to report on those practices.

Corporate governance: an adequate governance framework is critical, not just for regulatory compliance, but also to preserve investors’ faith and long-term trust of all stakeholders.