Alex J. Tolston is executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for Hemisphere Media Group.

What professional lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic?

One of the many consequences of the pandemic for lawyers has been the reshaping of the general counsel role to become more strategic. During the initial response to COVID-19, quick decision-making was required in a climate of continually changing rules. Lawyers were needed to interpret the rules so that decisions could be made. This demand for legal advice brought more senior lawyers to the table. CLO’s and general counsel are now in a better position to take a more strategic approach to risk management in the future. There has long been pressure on in-house teams to demonstrate how they add value to the business, rather than simply being seen as a cost center. Acting strategically and becoming a trusted adviser to the board—as many have done during the pandemic—shows how general counsel can add value. In a climate where there will be increased pressure to do more with less, this was a valuable skill for senior lawyers to develop.