The traditional role of the lawyer is changing. Unprecedented levels of new, complex legislation and an increasing gap between innovation and developments in the law are creating sources of additional legal risk. Lawyers, and particularly in-house lawyers, have an opportunity to enhance their role, taking on broader and more dynamic responsibilities as regulation becomes increasingly principles-based, focused on outcomes. This is particularly apparent in the developing area of anti-corruption law.
Company executives are waking up to the increasing strategic importance of the in-house legal team. In the UK, as the new Bribery Bill progresses through Parliament, in-house lawyers will have to become more closely involved with business decision-making processes in order to protect their organisations from potential civil and criminal exposure and consequent damage to their reputation.
