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

Modern in-house counsel succeeds by combining legal excellence with business acumen, the ability to translate complex issues into concise action points as well as technological fluency.

Beyond simply providing legal input, modern in-house counsel serves as a strategic thought partner who understands the commercial environment and guides the internal teams through complex challenges with clarity and confidence. They must be able to distil complex issues into actionable recommendations, foster trust that encourages internal teams to seek legal support early and anticipate risks before they materialise. Proactive issue-spotting and offering pragmatic solutions are critical to enabling informed decision-making.

Finally, fluency in emerging technologies and the regulatory landscape – particularly generative/agentic AI, and the ability to manage associated risks have become essential capabilities for modern legal leaders.

Are there any upcoming challenges that in-house teams should be preparing for over the next twelve months?

In‑house legal teams across sectors will face a concentrated wave of regulatory and operational pressures in the coming year. The EU AI Act, together with adjacent digital‑policy initiatives, will materially raise the compliance bar and accelerate expectations around AI governance.

To manage this shift effectively, legal teams will need to take a proactive, structured approach: strengthening governance frameworks, mapping AI‑related risks across the business, and establishing clear accountability for high‑risk use cases. Close collaboration with various internal risk functions will be essential to ensure readiness, maintain resilience, and position the legal function as a strategic enabler of responsible innovation.