About

What are the most important transactions and litigations that you have been involved in during the last two years?

Philip Morris is transforming from a company focused on selling cigarettes to the company proposing its legal age consumers new smoke-free alternatives, including tobacco heating products. These products are designed to create a nicotine-containing vapor, without burning and smoke. I advised on the project related to introducing to the Polish market one of PMI’s available alternatives – the tobacco heating system IQOS. Being fully dedicated to the project I have been involved in numerous streams of complex and cross-functional work. Commercialisation of the innovative product was intense and demanding legal work. Creating a new product offer for adult smoking consumers in a new, unknown category required both personal and professional development. I gained new abilities, such as learning and understanding innovative technology and science behind the heated tobacco technology and products.

How important are “soft skills” or personal attributes outside of technical legal skill, and which “soft skills” do you feel are most important for an in-house lawyer to possess?

As there is no “one fits all” recipe for an ideal in-house lawyer, there are certain “soft” abilities that are more than required in our in-house role. You need to combine good knowledge of the business you support and excellent understanding your role that is far more than just “a legal adviser”. You should be enthusiastic about your work and the company, curious about the ideas, goals, business and projects. As mentioned above understanding the business, the directions and the needs of your clients is essential. Being a good listener helps you to connect the dots and provide advice that is relevant and valuable. Work is much easier if you like people and interactions with different personalities, characters, needs and cultures. You are the one to ask appropriate questions, challenge and seek for adequate solutions. Good communication skills are a must as you will be put in the position to speak about complex issues and not to over-intellectualise your work products or speak a language that requires legal studies to be understood. Your role is to solve the problems not to create additional ones.

What are the main qualities you look for in a potential new hire?

I look for people with a great mind and intelligence that are eager to learn, develop and share their knowledge and experience with other team members. A potential new hire needs to be good and honest team player, understanding a mission and a role of in-house lawyer, with adequate ownership attitude. I am looking for proactive, enthusiastic and inspiring individuals, who enjoy close cooperation with the business and able to cope with fast changing environment and numerous challenges. I am privileged to meet such people on daily basis.

I do not mention excellent technical skills, knowledge and professional maturity as they seem to be obvious and essential for the role. My personal “top qualities” – a “spark” and a sense of humour – that is extremely important.

What advice would you give to any peers or colleagues working in the Polish market for the first time?

Poland is an exciting place to live and work. Explore Poland, its complex and interesting history, culture and cuisine, and you will find a key to your Polish work colleagues then. Learn some Polish words – it will be warmly appreciated, as the Polish language is regarded as one of the most difficult languages to be learned. Share your experience from your previous work places and inspire your peers with your thoughts and ideas.

What can law firms in Poland, and the wider CEE region, do to win more business from you?

Proactive dialogue is essential. I appreciate legal professionals who are interested in exploring and understanding our business as the transformation results in uncertainty, new business areas and new expectations.

I personally like to learn new things and to be inspired. I am curious about trends and new ideas and solutions in the legal world. I am looking forward to relevant updates in regulations and law.

FOCUS ON… PASSION

This will be a personal thought I would like to share. Life is short. Cliché. But… with additional years of my professional experience, with tasks completed, people you work with and for, and subsequent firms on my CV – I’ve realised that what makes us good professionals is passion. Law is so much more than regulations, legal judgements, contracts, clauses and sanctions. As a former M&A lawyer I spent long (and billable) hours on due diligences, negotiations, drafting and redrafting, closings and post closings. But I missed something I couldn’t name. Joy. It didn’t bring me joy and satisfaction. I thought it was just supposed to be so. But I was wrong. Gradually and deliberately I decided to change my career and to become an in-house lawyer. The change taught me a lesson – law can be passionate, can bring satisfaction and fulfilment.

Practicing the law can be defined in numerous ways, it is really important to find your own path and a place where you belong. Pursue your professional passion. Find a goal and believe in what you do. Find a pleasure and excellence in what you do. Never stop learning and exploring. Reach for inspiration and inspire others. Engage your “lawyer” emotions. It is not only work, it is a crucial part of your life.