The term commercial business partner is frequently used in-house, but what does it really mean for the in-house lawyer - particularly through the lens of strategic planning?
Demonstrating value beyond legal expertise can significantly enhance career satisfaction, professional development, and advancement. Similarly, phrases like custodian of company ethics or moral compass are often heard - but how do these roles translate in practice?
Balancing influence, responsibilities and boundaries is essential, yet challenging in a complex business environment where multiple stakeholders, departmental priorities and diverse behaviours create constant pressure.
Join us as two senior in-house legal leaders share their experiences and insights, revealing how they have successfully navigated these challenges and achieved balance throughout their careers.
Presenters
Sam Plant, experienced General Counsel and Company Secretary
Sam has held legal leadership roles for more than 25 years in a number of large multinationals including Müller, PZ Cussons Plc, Princes Foods, MyTravel Group Plc and API Group plc.
In addition to leading legal, company secretarial and regulatory teams, he is an experienced Executive Board member and has also led sustainability, risk, property and HR functions. He was a non-executive at the University of Salford for 9 years, chairing its Governance, Nominations and Ethics Committee.
He now works as a legal consultant supporting in-house teams, writes regularly on ethics, equality and the law and coaches emerging legal leaders.
Laura Milton, experienced legal leader within regulatory bodies and central government.
She is currently Director of Legal and Audit Services at the Environment Agency and leads a nationwide team.
Work includes the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental law, supporting the multi-billion pound flood defence programme and a full range of corporate legal services including commercial, property and employment law.
Before joining the EA, Laura worked at the Civil Aviation Authority, as well as in central government departments, including the Department for Transport, Cabinet Office, and the Department for Business. Laura is a trustee of the Shenley Park Trust.
Moderating will be:
Elizabeth Duffy, Senior Director Client Engagement, Thomson Reuters Institute
Leading a team of subject matter experts, Elizabeth is responsible for delivering insights to clients and connecting the dots between the data and a client’s business.
She works closely with law firms, legal service providers, and legal departments globally. Elizabeth regularly leads custom research projects including client review and thought leadership programs and presents research results to the management boards and partnerships of AmLaw 50 firms.
The Thomson Reuters Institute brings together people from across the legal, corporate, tax & accounting and government communities to ignite conversation and debate, make sense of the latest events and trends and provide essential guidance on the opportunities and challenges facing their world today.
As the dedicated thought leadership arm of Thomson Reuters, their content spans blog commentaries, industry-leading data sets, informed analyses, interviews with industry leaders, videos, podcasts and world-class events that deliver keen insight into a dynamic business landscape. Visit thomsonreuters.com/institute for more details.
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