Over the past five years, I have had the privilege of serving as a legal manager for clients across diverse industries, providing me with a unique perspective on the evolution of legal technology and the broader digital transformation within the legal sector. While it is true that the legal profession tends to be a late adopter of new technologies due to its inherent conservatism, I see a significant and positive shift in recent years.
Looking In: Marc van Campen of Van Campen Liem
In our Looking In series, we talk to Partners from outside CEE who are keeping an eye on the region (and often pop up in our deal ticker) to learn how they perceive CEE markets and their evolution. For this issue, we sat down with Marc van Campen, Partner at Van Campen Liem in Amsterdam.
The Corner Office: Legal Tech (to the Rescue)
In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. With industry-specific software emerging left and right, the legal industry was not left behind. To explore some of the trends in this regard, we asked: What are some of the specific legal tech platforms you use?
Bridging Academia and Practice: Summer Internship Programs
Nazali Tax & Legal Managing Partner Ersin Nazali and Kinstellar Managing Associate and Head of Employment Kristina Pavlovic talk about their firms’ summer internship programs – the crucial bridge between academic learning and practical experience for law students.
Slovenia’s Investment Hotspot: The Western Balkans
Over the past years, Slovenian businesses have increasingly turned their attention to the Western Balkans, identifying the region as a promising hub for investment and expansion. Ketler & Partners Partner Kevin Rihtar, Kavcic, Bracun & Partners Managing Partner Matej Kavcic, MP Law Partner Marko Prusnik, and Senica & Partners Managing Partner Katarina Kresal discuss key sectors of interest and examine the strategic advantages the Western Balkans offer to Slovenian enterprises.
SLO(w) to Expand: Slovenian Firms’ Regional Footprint
Despite the strength of domestic law firms in Slovenia, not a great number of major local players have engaged in direct expansions across the region. Senica & Partners Managing Partner Uros Cop and Kavcic, Bracun & Partners Managing Partner Simon Bracun explore the reasons behind this trend, examine attempts at regional alliances, and identify recent developments that may incentivize firms to pursue regional expansion.
Keeping Things In-House: An Interview with Radu Culic of Net-Connect Group
With a focus on keeping as much of the legal work in-house, Net-Connect Group Head of Regulatory Affairs Radu Culic discusses best practices for managing in-house legal budgets.
Budgeting Plan B: An Interview with Florina Mariana Homeghiu of Photon Energy Group
Photon Energy Group’s Deputy Group Legal Counsel Florina Mariana Homeghiu discusses her approach to managing legal budgets, including trends in costs and effective cost-cutting strategies.
A Streamlined Budget for a Fast-Paced Sector: An Interview with Gergely Szekely of Heureka Group
Heureka Group CEE Head of Legal Gergely Szekely provides insights on his in-house legal team’s budget trends and management, considering the challenges inherent in the dynamic e-commerce sector.
Reflecting on Budgets
Managing budgets in big companies could be seen at the same time as art and as a challenge. And art should never be under pressure.
Managing Budgets Best Practices
In recent years, in-house legal teams have faced growing pressure to manage budgets more effectively while maintaining high standards of service. In this article, I will share best practices for managing legal budgets, and address trends, challenges, and strategies that have shaped the budgeting landscape for in-house legal teams.
Best Practices for Working with External Counsel on M&A Projects
M&A transactions involve numerous legal, financial, and operational challenges. As in-house counsel, we are responsible for businesses’ right risk allocation and risk mitigation, while we bear significant responsibility in ensuring the deal progresses smoothly and can be closed successfully. Given this high responsibility, effective collaboration with external counsel is crucial to navigating these high-stakes deals and ensuring a smooth and successful transaction. Drawing from my experience, I will share best practices for selecting, collaborating with, and managing external counsel during M&A projects to achieve optimal outcomes and make your life easier in the post-closing and integration stages.
Communication + Trust = Recipe for Success: An Interview with Kameliya Naydenova of Mondelez International
Mondelez International Senior Counsel Competition Law Compliance Kameliya Naydenova emphasizes the importance of communication, trust, and practical expertise when working with external legal counsel.
A Checklist for Working with External Counsel
Working with external counsel can be a crucial aspect of managing legal issues, especially for companies that need specialized expertise or extra support for their in-house legal team. To make the most of these collaborations, it’s important to follow some best practices that ensure efficiency, alignment with business goals, and cost-effectiveness. Here’s my straightforward guide to help work effectively with external legal experts.
Smart Outsourcing: An Interview with Joanna Przybyl of Revetas Capital
Revetas Capital General Counsel Joanna Przybyl reveals her strategies for mastering relationships with external counsel, from choosing the right firms to keeping budgets on track.
Old Faithful: An Interview with Dawid Radziszewski of Selvita
From staying loyal to specific lawyers irrespective of the brand they work under to focusing on fixed fees, Selvita General Counsel and Executive Management Board Member Dawid Radziszewski shares his best practices in terms of working with external counsel.
Picking and Working with the Right Firefighter: An Interview with Tamara Mohoric Selak of Zito
From relying on chemistry to counting on reputation being representative, Zito Director of Legal Affairs and General Services Tamara Mohoric Selak talks about how she picks her external “firefighters” and how she nurtures long-term collaborations with them.
The Right Pick: An Interview with Elena Bosnidou of INSS
INSS Legal Director Elena Bosnidou shares her tips and tricks on selecting and instructing external counsel.