Team size: Two 

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?  

In addition to the general qualities required for an in-house lawyer, the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in a cyber security company include:
 

Strong technical understanding: Having a good understanding of the technical aspects of cyber security, such as network architecture, data encryption, and threat management.  

Understanding of incident response: I have found that the more experience I have gained as a general counsel to a cyber security services company with respect to incident response and data breaches has positioned me to be a better strategic advisor to my company and to our clients. 

Experience in and knowledge of cyber security laws, regulations, and industry standards: Gaining a deep understanding of the laws and regulations related to cyber security and incident response, such as data privacy and data protection laws and being familiar with industry standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 and NIST. 

Strong communication skills: General counsel must be able to communicate cyber security risks and legal compliance requirements clearly and effectively to non-technical stakeholders, such as the board of directors, C-suite, and employees. General counsel must also be proactive in identifying and addressing potential cyber security legal issues before they become problems.
 

What can law firms do to improve their service to the legal department?  

There are several things that law firms can do to improve their service to in-house legal departments (in addition to cost-effectiveness): 

Understanding your client: Law firms should put in considerable effort in order to better understand their clients’ business and the industry in which they operate, as well as any unique business needs.

Communication and Responsiveness: Law firms should establish clear lines of communication with the in-house legal team and be transparent about their responsiveness. They should also provide regular updates on the status of matters and be proactive in identifying potential issues. 

Foster a long-term relationship: Law firms should strive to build long-term relationships with their in-house clients, by understanding their needs and by providing consistent, high-quality service. 

Continuously improve: Law firms should continuously seek feedback and improve their service by learning from the in-house legal team’s feedback and experience.