Team size: 27 in total

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

AI remains one of the most significant developments facing legal teams. The question is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to use it responsibly and effectively while maintaining strong legal judgement.

Future legal teams will require legal excellence, commercial judgement and AI fluency. The challenge is ensuring technology enhances performance rather than replacing critical human decision-making.

At the same time, many legal departments continue to face budget and resource pressures. Leaders are being asked to do more with leaner teams, requiring greater focus on prioritisation, operating models and the effective use of technology.

The relationship with external counsel is also changing. Businesses increasingly expect strategic partnerships, efficiency and demonstrable value. In-house teams need to be disciplined about which work should remain internal and where specialist expertise adds the greatest value.

More broadly, transformation is becoming a constant rather than a temporary phase. Legal teams that stay close to the business and remain adaptable will be best positioned to succeed.

What are the most important attributes of the modern GC and what advice would you give to those aspiring to be an in-house lawyer?

The ‘modern’ general counsel is no longer simply a legal adviser. It is a strategic leadership role that helps shape business performance, drive growth and manage risk in an increasingly complex environment.

First and foremost, get close to the business. Be genuinely curious. Understand how the company creates value, what drives growth and what keeps your stakeholders awake at night. This is your business too.

The role is not simply about identifying legal risks; it is about helping the business navigate them and realise opportunities. Be bold enough to contribute to strategic discussions, not just legal ones.

Great GCs help shape strategy, influence across functions and bring people together around a common goal. They have a clear vision and communicate it effectively.

Authenticity matters enormously. Build trust through openness and consistency. Lead from the heart, but never lose sight of accountability and performance.

For aspiring in-house lawyers, develop your commercial instincts alongside your legal skills. Always ask: what are the costs and benefits, how does this support growth, and what outcome is the business trying to achieve? The most successful in-house lawyers think like business leaders first, applying legal expertise to achieve business objectives.