The general counsel in a resilient world

Rather than simply waiting to see what changes the business will make, the leading legal departments are embracing the crisis as an opportunity to drive much-needed transformation in their operating models. They recognize that their current ways of working are no longer fit-for-purpose in a virtual and rapidly-evolving environment. They understand they will need to rethink their technologies and cost structures if they hope to continue delivering on their ever-expanding list of objectives.

Companies have reacted swiftly and empathetically to the COVID-19 crisis. As governments start to lift restrictions and encourage businesses to re-open in order to reverse the economic decline caused by the pandemic.

In this new environment, is your group structure fit for purpose? Can the costs be managed efficiently? And does the structure facilitate effective supply chain management?

The increased complexity and divergence of measures around the globe have exposed companies to additional legal, reputational and commercial risks. In this short article, we’ll re-evaluate how GCs can support the business in the “new normal”, identify the demands and opportunities they face, and put together the business case for change.

Although digital transformation of the legal function had already begun, the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for agility–forcing general counsel (GC) to accelerate the pace of change.