Feb 2024 Insights
This series is inspired by Theresa Chikwendu’s weekly LinkedIn posts entitled diary of an In House Legal Counsel and aims to empower African In house lawyers with practical advice and strategic thinking to excel in the corporate legal landscape. Below we summarise Theresa’s weekly posts. To access Theresa’s full weekly Linkedin post please click on the link within each title.
Dear In-House Counsel,
Week One: Crafting Your Legal Value Proposition
The journey begins with introspection into the core of your legal department. It’s essential to articulate your department’s unique value to the business. This means moving beyond legal jargon to create a compelling mission and vision that resonates with both new recruits and seasoned team members. Key considerations include defining turnaround times, differentiating high from low-value legal work, establishing minimum standards for colleague interactions, and managing stakeholder engagement. Remember, a well-crafted mission statement is not just words; it’s a roadmap for success, whether in a large corporation or a small firm.
Week Two: Embracing the Role of a Business Lawyer
As in-house counsel, remember that your company and its internal stakeholders are your primary clients. Your role transcends typical law firm duties; you are integrally tied to the business’s success. Avoid being the “department of no.” Instead, focus on aligning legal advice with business strategies, considering legal, regulatory, and compliance risks. Your guidance should be proactive, offering value that is evident to your non-legal colleagues. Your decisions should be based not just on legal grounds but also on logic, business strategy, and reputation management.
Week Three: Personal Development in Law
Personal development in the legal field is your responsibility, not just HR’s. Stay updated and relevant by continually enhancing your skills through various platforms like Lexology, LinkedIn, YouTube, ChatGPT, and others. Utilize online courses from platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Harvard Business School Online. Remember, continuous learning is critical in our knowledge-based profession. Your career growth is in your hands.
Week Four: Legal Business Partnering
The legal team can learn from the HR business partner model, which integrates HR into strategic planning to support business growth. Applying this model in legal departments can transform us into better business partners, aligning closely with various departments and providing strategic legal advice. Specialization within the team, aligned with different departments, can enhance service delivery and expertise, despite the inherent ‘key-man’ risks.
Stay tuned for more insights in our next edition!