The Legal 500 has been analysing the capabilities of law firms across the world for 28 years. In a new series, The Legal 500 is turning its attention to the in-house function, shining a spotlight on the role of corporate counsel, and in particular those individuals who are driving both legal business and the profession forwards.
The aim of the UK: Rising Stars is to highlight those standout performers coming into their own at major companies, typically but not exclusively during their 30s – the GCs of tomorrow if you like….read more
Given the relatively flat nature of the career structure below group GC level and the increasing breadth of the UK in-house profession, identifying and then narrowing down the field to 100 was obviously going to prove more challenging than highlighting a group of GCs who had already climbed to the top of their ladder.
Our research, which was led by Legal Business news editor Caroline Hill and reporters Francesca Fanshawe and Sarah Downey, went through several stages, beginning with the online collection of hundreds of individual nominations before we moved to directly canvassing senior figures in the profession. Inevitably, pulling together such a list is not an exact science once you go beyond the easy-to identify standout chief legal officers at major companies, but the breadth of nominations and weeks of research among our established contact base means we feel we’ve made a very credible start on which to build in future. To widen the scope of the project, we have also built on the core UK Powerlist itself to solicit commentary on the changing demands made of up-and-coming in-house counsel and to provide analysis of how the career outlook and opportunities of working with major corporates are evolving. To keep continuity with last year’s report and the 100 senior UK GCs we highlighted in 2013, this group was again canvassed for their input on the best mid-level talent on offer and how they as GCs are looking to develop more of this breed.
David Burgess
Publishing Director
The second edition of the GC Summit Romania proved to be a resounding success, gracing the prestigious conference halls of Bucharest on Tuesday, April 16. Nestled within the historical ambiance of the venue, the day unfolded into a tapestry of knowledge and professionalism, underscoring the robust support and fervent interest of Romania’s legal fraternity. Attendees departed with a palpable sense of accomplishment and gratification.
The summit commenced with a riveting panel, “Legal Services Empowered by Technology,” deftly moderated by Sorin David, managing partner at D&B Law Firm. Revealing insights into Romania’s legal landscape embracing artificial intelligence and innovative law firm programs captivated the audience, sustaining engagement throughout the session.
Following suit was the panel “Strategic Legal Team Management: Navigating Modern Tactics and Industry Expertise,” adeptly guided by Ana Radnev, partner at CMS. With a consortium of esteemed legal minds, the discussion plumbed the depths of team dynamics and innovative strategies, affirming the summit’s caliber and instilling confidence among attendees.
Subsequent to a brief interlude, the discourse shifted to “Management of the Client-Regulator Interface – a Romanian Legal Counsel Approach,” moderated by the seasoned Florian Nitu, managing partner at POPOVICI NIŢU STOICA & ASOCIAŢII. His profound insights into the interplay between clients, regulators, and legal counsel underscored the imperative of harmony and compliance within the legal framework.
Mihai Mares, managing partner of Mares & Mares, then helmed the panel “Unveiling Strategies for Asset Recovery in White-Collar Crime,” illuminating the challenges faced by legal departments combating financial crimes, ensuring institutions remain vigilant and resilient.
An engaging panel discussion on “Employment Law Dynamics in Romania,” moderated by Ancuța Pop, partner at IJDELEA & Associates, shed light on the intricacies of employment regulations and the pivotal role of legal firms in safeguarding corporate interests.
Gabriel Albu, managing partner at Albu Morar, led the thought-provoking discourse on “Navigating the Legal Landscape in Cybersecurity,” unveiling strategies to fortify technological ecosystems against cyber threats, fostering innovation and resilience.
The summit concluded with a dynamic panel led by audience members and moderated by Daria Niculcea, executive director at Juridice, offering invaluable reflections and insights from general counsel, enriching the collective experience of the event.
Gratitude is extended to David Goulthorpe, our esteemed managing director, whose unwavering support has propelled the legal community in Romania to unprecedented heights.
To our sponsors, attendees, and the entire Romanian legal fraternity, we extend heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering support, eagerly anticipating the prospect of reconvening next year.
Until then, farewell and see you soon!
