Based on your experiences in the past year, are there any trends in the legal or business world that you are keeping an eye on that you think other in-house lawyers should be mindful of?

When I look on my current and my last role, one can see the increasing complexity and pace continues to put pressure on legal departments to deliver fast, commercially pragmatic advice while managing risk effectively. Expectations around timelines are becoming shorter – not least because of increased speeds in business –, which requires in-house counsels to be more closely integrated into business decision-making and to find solutions rather than simply identify problems.

In addition, the importance of regulatory compliance and governance is growing across all industries. Whether it is sanctions regimes, ESG requirements, data protection, or new financial services regulations, companies are facing a constantly expanding compliance landscape. In-house counsels need to act not only as legal advisers but also as strategic partners who help their organizations anticipate and navigate these developments. And it is also very important, especially in global organisation, to explain these increased requirements to decision-makers abroad and to emphasize their importance.

Further, I am observing a stronger focus on risk transfer mechanisms, such as W&I insurance, in M&A transactions. This reflects a broader trend toward more sophisticated risk management tools and highlights the need for in-house counsels to understand insurance products and alternative ways of mitigating legal exposure.

Finally, the use of legal technology and AI is beginning to change the way legal departments operate. Efficient contract management, automation, and data-driven decision-making are becoming essential capabilities. In-house lawyers who embrace these tools will be better positioned to meet the increasing demands placed upon them.

Overall, the role of in-house counsels is becoming more strategic and business oriented.

What strategies do you employ to ensure the successful digital transformation of a legal department while maintaining compliance with your country’s data protection laws?

Successful digital transformation in a legal department requires an approach that combines efficiency, practical usability, and strict compliance with data protection requirements.

The first step is to gain a clear understanding of the department’s crucial needs. Before introducing any digital tools, we would accordingly focus on identifying which processes can really benefit from automation or digitalization – for example contract management, document storage, or workflow tracking. Technology should serve the legal function, not the other way around.

Furthermore, a strong collaboration with internal stakeholders, particularly IT, compliance, and data protection officers should definitely be taken into account. In both my current and previous role, any new digital and technical solution was implemented only after a thorough assessment of data protection implications, including e.g. the conclusion of data processing agreements, and cyber security standards. This is essential to ensure full compliance with GDPR and other applicable data protection requirements.

Another important element is governance: maintaining and advocating for clear internal policies on how digital tools are to be used, how data is stored, who has access to it, and how long it is retained. Digital transformation only works sustainably if it is accompanied by robust processes and documentation. Training and change management are also very important. Even the best technology solution will fail if the intended users do not understand or trust it. Therefore, time should ideally be invested in training colleagues and ensuring that new systems are intuitive and make daily work easier.

Finally, taking a risk-based approach. Not every innovative tool is appropriate for every type of data. Especially when using AI-based applications, it is important to carefully evaluate where sensitive personal or confidential information is involved and to implement additional safeguards where necessary.