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

The primary objective of an in-house lawyer is to support the management in achieving their strategic goals through effective legal solutions. To do this, one must possess a deep understanding of the specific industry to select the most appropriate legal tools. Furthermore, a modern counsel must go beyond merely identifying legal risks; they must be able to estimate the probability of their materialisation. This ability to accurately assess the likelihood of risk is crucial for making informed, pragmatic business decisions.

AI is increasingly being integrated into legal teams to maximise efficiency. How can in-house counsel ensure the successful incorporation of these tools without compromising the human element?

AI is playing an increasingly critical role in enterprises, and legal departments are no exception. Beyond simply automating repetitive tasks, AI has the potential to significantly elevate the quality of our work. Crucially, it provides lawyers with essential non-legal and business knowledge that is often necessary for resolving complex legal issues. We can also leverage these tools to stress-test our own solutions and identify potential blind spots. Ultimately, AI acts as a knowledge multiplier, its suggestions are only as good as the interaction with the user. Paradoxically, fully unlocking this potential requires more engagement and expertise from lawyers, not less.