What are the key projects that you have been involved in over the past 12 months?

I am Legal Director for Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and the maker of Jameson Irish Whiskey. I am also a Board Director and a member of the Senior Leadership Team. A key part of my role is protecting the assets and interests of Irish Distillers, while also supporting strategy and innovation. I support the business strategy on a wide range of matters including: intellectual property, data protection, regulatory compliance, ESG and corporate – all of which supports the growth of Jameson and our other Irish Whiskey brands. The past 12 months have been particularly dynamic with geopolitical and economic matters raising a host of new issues requiring my support and advice.

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

In addition to the more obvious attributes such as agility, problem solving and communication skills, the modern in-house counsel must be forward thinking. A robust understanding of industry trends and the markets is vital. A globalised business environment and understanding diverse cultures and legal systems is key – as is the ability to operate effectively in-fast paced environment. These attributes equip the modern in-house counsel to navigate international regulations, manage global legal risks, provide practical, risk mitigating legal advice and foster inclusive practices across the organisation.

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, of which you think other in-house lawyers should be mindful?

Use of AI, both in terms of the Legal Function and how it can impact business, is a very topical area right now. AI is raising a whole host of issues and current practices that need to be considered. With the emergence of AI, the role of in-house lawyers will continue to evolve further and at a fast pace. Familiarity with legal technology tools, such as contract management systems, e-discovery software and data analytics, is essential. Some existing practice areas such as data protection and civil litigation are also expanding. Developments in these areas will be trends that lawyers should be mindful of as new areas, such as AI, emerge – and overlapping between practice areas becomes more prevalent.