As corporate dynamics evolve, the role of in-house counsel is also undergoing significant changes. Today’s in-house counsel extend their influence and contribution beyond drafting and vetting of legal documents. They play a crucial role in bridging the gap between legal jargon and critical business decisions, serving as connectors between different sections of the company for better synergy, and contributing through benchmarking.
An article written by Meyling “Mey” Ly Ortiz, an experienced in-house counsel at Toyota Motor North America, delves into this topic, naming these roles as ‘Legalese Translator’, ‘Connector’, and ‘Benchmarking’.
As a ‘Legalese Translator,’ in-house counsel translates legal jargon into comprehensible language, thereby assisting non-legal business clients. Mey has witnessed how providing clear explanations to business clients regarding choices that need considering has been gratefully received, proving that this role is far from trivial.
In the ‘Connector’ role, in-house counsel creates synergy between different parts of the company. Ortiz, agrees that while this role may vary depending on the size of the company, in larger firms, in-house counsel successfully acts as a bridge between various parts of an organization to develop efficiencies and encourage collaboration.
The ‘Benchmarking’ role sees in-house counsel harnessing their network with other in-house counsel at different companies to understand the best practices adopted there. Ortiz explains how she assists her client’s benchmark informally, providing value beyond the basic legal advice.
Ortiz urges new in-house counsel to develop these roles to increase their influence and impact within the company. This tripartite model of in-house counsel’s new role presents a fresh perspective on the value in-house counsel can add beyond their traditional legal responsibilities.
For legal professionals considering stepping into the realm of in-house counsel, Ortiz advises them to embrace these roles, as they can potentially transform their perceived value within the company. While to some they may appear mundane, these tasks often hold the key to significant influence and impact within a company.