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

As the well construction senior contracts counsel, I am responsible for structuring and overseeing contractual frameworks for our most complex and strategic suppliers across the Drilling, Measurements, Equipment and Fluids business lines, including technology centres worldwide.

In today’s environment, contract management plays a critical and high-impact role, requiring a strategic, collaborative approach aligned with evolving business needs. Leveraging emerging artificial intelligence (AI) tools, contracts professionals increasingly serve as true business partners, supporting procurement teams in effectively identifying and mitigating legal, operational finance and contractual risks. These capabilities allow legal professionals to focus on higher-value activities, maintain a holistic view of transactions and better safeguard the company’s interests while supporting business objectives.

Senior management also carries responsibility to future generations of legal professionals. While contract reviews have become more efficient through technological advancements, these tools enable deeper engagement with complex transactions, ensuring a thorough understanding of operational needs and alignment with corporate strategy. Beyond efficiency, our role involves mentoring and guiding new lawyers to think critically, analyse root causes, and develop tailored solutions for sophisticated contractual challenges. This approach fosters strategic thinking, innovation and long-term value for the organisation.

Can you describe an instance where your legal advice directly influenced business strategy or commercial objectives?

As contracts professionals, we play a direct and meaningful role in shaping business strategy. Contracts are the foundation of commercial relationships; they enable collaboration between parties and serve as the essential framework through which complex transactions are carried out.

Beyond governance and risk mitigation, contractual structuring can also unlock innovative ways of doing business. By carefully aligning incentives, pricing mechanisms and risk allocation, Legal can help create commercial models that are both flexible and value driven. When these structures are mutually beneficial, they not only support immediate objectives, but can also influence longer-term business strategies, shaping how the organisation collaborates with partners and approaches future opportunities.

In this context, the Legal function serves as a core pillar in safeguarding the organisation. By ensuring that critical elements — such as liabilities, warranties, pricing structures, payment terms, and risk allocation — are clearly defined and balanced. Ultimately, well-crafted contracts can deliver lasting value and have a positive impact that extends far beyond the life of a single agreement and contributes to the entire business strategy.

What key trends should in-house counsel be monitoring over the coming months?

A thorough understanding of the evolving geopolitical environment is essential for all in-house counsel. Considering recent legislative developments across multiple jurisdictions, it is imperative for legal teams to continuously research and monitor applicable governing laws. This proactive approach ensures that we remain well positioned to anticipate change, manage risk effectively and provide informed guidance and support to key internal stakeholders.

Equally important is the continuous monitoring of advancements in artificial intelligence as they relate to the contract’s function. For contracts professionals, leveraging these technologies is no longer optional but strategic. Beyond understanding how algorithms are developed, it is critical to evaluate how AI can be governed, monitored and controlled to ensure responsible use. When applied thoughtfully, these tools enable legal teams to enhance efficiency, improve risk management and harness technology in a manner that strengthens decision-making and delivers measurable value to the organisation.

How has the role of general counsel evolved, and what are the most important attributes for the modern in-house lawyer?

Reflecting on the start of my legal career twenty years ago, it is evident that the practice of law has undergone a profound transformation. At that time, many of the tools we now consider indispensable did not exist. For example, virtual legal proceedings and electronic signatures were not available; legal work was largely manual and dependent on physical presence.

Today, we operate in a hyper-connected world, supported by technologies that enable us to perform our roles effectively from virtually any location while remaining focused on strategic objectives. Digital platforms, collaboration tools and advanced systems have fundamentally reshaped how legal services are delivered and how value is created for the business.

In this context, the modern in-house lawyer must develop a strong understanding of the vast technological possibilities available to the legal function. Equally important is the development of new leadership and interpersonal skills. The ability to connect with teams, inspire motivation and foster a sense of purpose is critical to building highly effective teams. By cultivating engagement and passion within legal teams, we not only enhance performance, but also enrich the overall practice of the legal profession.