1 year as Sole Legal Counsel..

What have I learned?

My first realisation is that the advice I received when considering the role has completely weighed up. Only now, looking back, do I understand just how invaluable chatting to others who have experience of being sole counsel has been. It really prepared me for what to expect and there have been many times during my first year where things have clicked much earlier as a result of those chats.

Here are some more things I've learned one year on:

It can be lonely

Not that this is a bad thing, just something to be aware of. I'm very lucky in that I am part of a fantastic global team of lawyers, however I am the only one who is UK qualified. There are pros and cons to this of course, and it was important for me to assess whether a role like this suited my personality. It does, wholly, but I understand why it wouldn't suit others. Whether we liked it or not, we have all recently experienced remote working - being sole counsel alongside this has meant I have had to make much more of a positive effort to build relationships. If I'm honest, this has taken longer than it has in the past but I feel I'm now starting to reap the rewards.

People question my age

It may be the last week that I can write this (bring on the big 3-0), but many have been shocked to find I am in my 20s. On the face of it, I'm in a senior role for my PQE. I dislike PQE as a measure for many reasons, including that it is deemed relative to age, however the fact that I am 29 & in this role seems elusive to many. No complaints here of course, I'll take it! But I've had to ensure this doesn't affect my confidence. I've worked hard for this and deserve to be exactly where I am.

The influence of legal

Whether legal have the final say or how much my advice is taken into account depends upon the strength of my delivery. I used to think this was a factor determined by the business, and although there may be elements of this, there is just as much reliance on legal to act not only in accordance with the duties we are bound by (emphasis on duty to society here), but also in the way that we know is best for the company. What I'm trying to say is, this year I've learned that the sweet spot is where the quality of the advice meets the delivery. I hope to strengthen this further in future.

A holistic approach

This is down to experience, but has reared its head as a result of me being new in a big role. Being armed with the history of a company is something that I took for granted- being a newbie alongside carrying more responsibility has made it much more difficult for me to not treat queries in isolation. Having the ability to recall previous decisions or contract reviews always makes things so much easier. I have realised that due to this, my advice has not been as smooth, and of course have had the old 'always ask questions!' advice reinforced.

People

Being a part of decisions that affect people can be tough. Balancing empathy with business & legal sense is a new skill I have had to learn. Finding that balance requires deep thought and a slower pace. Tapping into the emotional intelligence I have built throughout my career has been invaluable.

The reins are off

Only when you are the most senior legal person in the room do you realise just how much your previous seniors shielded you from. I have never been one to sit in the shadows, but my gosh do I now realise that being in the spotlight is a completely different story! My final learning leans into this strongly..

Using my voice

Being the legal lead in rooms that I haven't been in previously has amplified the importance of speaking up. Without this skill, before you know it, a conversation has gone by with something not flagged that should have been. A decision made....backtrack required. It is, of course, important to know how to bring the conversation back but it is far easier to speak up at the time. Nobody else will say what's going through my legal mind, nor should they be expected to. Make the point or no-one else will!

Two birds one stone, that's my annual review done.

IHP you are the gift that keeps on giving.