Team size: 18

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

As Head of Legal at an insurance company, I navigate the complexities of a highly regulated industry. With the ever-evolving regulatory landscape, we are continuously engaged in numerous projects to ensure our business remains compliant with these developing legal requirements. Being part of a Nordic organisation, many of our projects are cross-border, involving participants from various parts of the business, including Legal, Compliance, IT/Digital, and core business specialists. Given the nature of the insurance industry, which involves extensive handling of customer data, GDPR and data management compliance is of utmost importance.

In my role as Head of Legal, a fundamental task is to ensure that the legal department provides the highest value to the organisation. Over the past few years, I have dedicated significant effort in building an in-house legal team that delivers top-tier legal advice. Our in-house lawyers must offer practical and actionable advice that adds value to the business, delivered at the right level and at the right time. As manager of 18 in-house lawyers, it is my responsibility to ensure the legal team is well-structured, with professionals possessing the right competencies and mindset. By achieving this, we can fulfill our goal of being the best and preferred legal partner for the business.

In addition to maintaining an in-house legal department, our company also requires external legal assistance. Over the past year I have led a project to procure legal services, resulting in the establishment of a legal panel of law firms to support our company in legal matters as needed.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

If Skadeforsikring NUF is a branch of a Swedish company. A few years ago, I had the role as branch manager for a period of two and a half years. This role provided me with the opportunity to deepen my understanding of our business, the people within it, and the regulatory requirements applicable to an insurance branch. This experience has been invaluable in my work as a lawyer and as Head of Legal.

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

In addition to possessing in-depth relevant legal knowledge, it is crucial for an in-house lawyer to have a strong understanding of the business. An in-house lawyer must understand the company`s needs and the industry in which it operates to provide practical and relevant legal assistance. Furthermore, an in-house lawyer should have a commercial and strategic oriented mindset, enabling them to see the bigger picture and not just focus on purely legal issues. My experience has shown that the business values and prefers in-house lawyers who can participate in strategic business discussions, propose alternative solutions, and suggests next steps when legal challenges arise for proposed projects.

Effective communication skills are also essential; an in-house lawyer should be able to explain complex legal issues in an understandable manner to colleagues at all levels of the organisation, regardless of their background or expertise.

In-house lawyers face increased compliance and regulatory demands, as well as challenges of digitalisation. Adopting a risk-based approach and being able to identify and manage legal risks is vital. This helps prioritise the most important matters in a hectic workday with growing demands for legal assistance.