In recent years there has been a lot of discussion and analysis concerning the ‘value-added role’ of in-house counsel. Much attention has been paid to the obvious areas where in-house counsel would have such an impact – effectively co-ordinating major deals and transactions, providing solid stewardship for the company’s key intellectual assets, managing bet-the-company litigation and navigating the company through the encroaching shoals of corporate governance and compliance. More routine, day-to-day legal functions have inevitably been pushed to the back burner. Contracting is one such area.
The contracting function represents a significant opportunity for law departments to exhibit leadership in providing value-added services within the company. In-house lawyers have a unique opportunity to combine effective legal advice with business understanding and company knowledge. This puts them in a good position to lead and implement change programs that are multidisciplinary in both the skills they employ and the organisational units they affect.
