1. Get to know your team members and clients as human beings, not just as lawyers or business people. Building these relationships is imperative to adding value, delivering meaningful legal services and also enjoying your job!
2. Consider the values of external service providers you hire. Ensure these values are aligned with your organization and confirm they have Diversity and Inclusion policies that they actually practice!
3. Be a strategic partner in, and advisor to, the company. Take the time to learn the business and the industry. It is important for legal to have a seat at the executive table so it can be seen as a value add to the business, not a cost centre.
It was an honour and a pleasure to speak alongside Shannon O’Hearn, Sean Bhagwandin and Jonathan Cullen, CIC.C. Thank you to Lynne Charbonneau or moderating and to the Canadian Legal Innovation Forum for hosting this thoughtful discussion.