Team size: 31

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

Use of AI is a one of the key trends to be monitoring, both use of AI from legal departments and other internal and external stakeholders.

How has the role of general counsel evolved, and what are the most important attributes for the modern in-house lawyer?

In-house lawyers must have a very good business understanding, with reference to the specific industry.

Organisations are facing increasing regulation across jurisdictions. How do you embed compliance across the business?

Especially for companies operating in multiple jurisdictions, it is very important to be able to anticipate new laws and regulations. That can be done implementing horizon scanning tools. AI can be of support with that, but at this stage cannot replace the involvement of lawyers.

How do you manage situations where legal advice and commercial objectives conflict?

The main goal is to work with business stakeholders to identify a viable way to pursue their objectives. When what they are proposing cannot be done exactly in the way they would like it to be done, it is our job to work with them to identify other solutions. Showing that the lawyers do not have a no-approach help building reciprocal trust which is helpful in those cases where a solution does not exist.

What major challenges or risks should in-house legal teams be preparing for over the next twelve months?

Geopolitical challenges are particularly relevant because these can both impact our employers, but equally they can impact our clients.