In-House Impact Award: PepsiCo Inc.

What are some of your most satisfying successes of the past year and why?

As lawyers, we’re tempted to answer with significant transactions or litigation victories.   But PepsiCo’s global business moves so fast and is so expansive, that we think of success based on whether we have fulfilled our mission. The one-line articulation of our mission is to minimize risk without slowing down the pace of business. The best part of our job is seeing and hearing about the amazing work our worldwide legal teams do every day to minimize risk … and keep the business moving.  Our business is like the daily mail—high volume every day, and it’s critical that we work “arm-in-arm” with the business as a trusted advisor guiding it to great results with high integrity.  We have no doubt that we have succeeded in our mission over the past year.

Over the past few months, we’ve also witnessed how our department has rallied to the cause in the context of COVID-19.  As we address this evolving and unprecedented global crisis, we’re simultaneously maintaining our public company responsibilities, closing multiple M&A transactions (including two multi-billion dollar acquisitions), enhancing our capability and efficiency, building an ever-more diverse team, and ensuring that PepsiCo continues to operate in a highly ethical way.

Additionally, we are particularly proud of our department’s pro bono activities. Through pro bono and volunteerism, our department has directly impacted and improved the quality of life for individuals and families in and around the communities in which we live and work.  In 2019 our Westchester-based legal team provided more than 1,200 hours of pro bono and volunteer services to approximately 40 local nonprofits, many of which we identified through the Pro Bono Partnership. We’re honored to have been recognized by Legal Services of the Hudson Valley as one of its 2020 Equal Access to Justice Honorees.

What is your best advice for in-house lawyers trying to make an impact, with their corporate clients and beyond?

In-house lawyers have long been an essential component of their respective businesses, from supporting daily operations to maintaining its reputation in the marketplace. Those who understand and appreciate the law, the business, and the client they’re trying to influence, are best equipped to make an impact.

The first part, knowing the law, is simply the price of entry—we need to be subject matter experts in our respective practice areas. The second is a function of curiosity, study and life-long learning. Explore the businesses you support, discover other areas of your company, ask questions all the time, and take advantage of the resources available to you. The third is arguably the most critical—a good lawyer needs to understand their client. In-house lawyers who know when and how to nudge, lead, or even challenge their client will ultimately make the biggest impact on their client and their colleagues.

Some of the best advice we can give to fellow legal colleagues, especially younger attorneys, is to understand your role, remain self-motivated, be persistent yet collaborative, and act with integrity. You perform a unique and critical role to promote and achieve your client’s goals, while always striving to do what is right.