Relationships are top-of-mind for in-house lawyers today. Inherent tension in the relationship between in-house lawyers and their organisation - which is both their client and their employer - and the increasing scrutiny of in-house lawyers due to recent corporate and political scandals has put pressure on the management of their relationships with themselves, their teams and their employer clients. Furthermore, CEOs, non-executive directors and boards not only struggle to navigate their relationship with in-house lawyers but are also often unaware of the underlying systemic problems in the legal function and profession, which can adversely affect organisational sustainability.
This book shows how in-house lawyers can better manage their relationships and how their client organisations can reciprocate. The main theme throughout is that reframing relationships, and then making small changes in them, can have a big impact on individual fulfilment, organisations and society. This title provides solutions for when specific relationship management problems occur, and key features include:
* exploration of the evolution of the legal function;
* diagnostics and tools to assess and manage relationships with boards, law firms and the ESG movement;
* strategies to address common relationship issues with key individuals including the CEO, CFO, compliance staff, the group GC and other in-house
lawyers;
* guidance on allaying career concerns and dealing with an overwhelming workload which threatens work-life balance; and
* the nature of leadership as it pertains to the legal function.
Written by Ciaran Fenton, who has worked with hundreds of in-house lawyers as well as CEOs, chairs and boards all over the world, The Modern In-house Lawyer draws on the author's own consulting experience and successes and failures in relationship management - including case studies demonstrating what works, and what doesn't - and the insights of other academics and experts. It provides in-house lawyers at all levels, members of the c-suite and private practice lawyers with the principles, tools and models to manage their key relationships and enhance their work.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
Few people understand the role of the in house lawyer as well as Ciaran. This book is brimming with ideas and will encourage in-house legal lawyers to reflect on their role. Every in house lawyer should keep a copy on their desk. -- Thomas Crane In this book, Ciaran offers a no-nonsense guide to those who want to be the best in-house lawyer they can be. In pursuit of the ultimate prize of peace and joy at work, he sets his readers on an obstacle course to face the truth about themselves, the potential they have and the business in which they practice. This is not for the faint-hearted. Claiming to have read the book will provoke the question - so what have you done about it? Based on his personal and professional experiences, he systematically tackles the defences of the status quo. In its place, he provides the practical tools to build foundations for a future of fulfilment. As importantly, he signals why the status quo will be overwhelmed by stronger societal demands on businesses and those who counsel them. -- Loughlin Hickey I wish I had this book on my desk 20 years ago. It contains advice that is practical and useable in your day-to-day and should be required reading for all who are in-house lawyers or who interact with them. -- Richard Given Ciaran's insights are an excellent challenge for in-house lawyers trying to understand their role and manage their careers. His focus on in-house lawyers as a growing area with changing priorities is timely and essential as in-house teams continue separation and evolution from its private practice routes. -- Stephen Cooke This book is conversational in style, easy to get into, hard to put down and full of gentle challenge and reflection for all of those who are, or who interact with, in-house lawyers.
It is incredibly practical and does not shirk the difficult issues, including ethics and client pressure. It is well worth a thoughtful read. -- Russell Deards This is a profoundly thoughtful and insightful book clearly drawing on years of intimate exposure to the profession. From my perspective at London Business School, I also appreciated the many references to academic works. It is also intensely humane and kind. Ciaran says that he could never have written this book before his illness. I can see why. What comes across is a deep caring for the profession, organisations and those who practice law in-house. Other professionals could also benefit from reading this book. His point about being aware of one's own and one's employer-client's purpose and nurturing mutual understanding is pure wisdom. The book exposes severe weaknesses in legal training which prepares lawyers for careers as pressured 'micro-enterprises'. It has changed my perspectives. I wish I'd come across it decades ago. -- Jeff Skinner Ciaran brings a refreshing and welcome sensitivity to the often macho world of corporate relationships, demonstrating that inclusiveness and kindness are actually beneficial to the bottom line rather than indications of weakness. I have long been an admirer of his perceptive and incisive guidance and this book crystalises his expertise. -- Carolyn Kirby OBE This is a useful and timely book. Useful in its provision of practical techniques to master the art and science of delivering legal services within a business environment in which your client is also your employer. Timely in its presentation of in-house lawyering as indivisible from leadership at a time when businesses and professionals are called to greater standards of responsibility in and for society. It would not be an overstatement to consider that if a majority of General Counsel in any single jurisdiction, read and applied a selection of the techniques in this book, the landscape of the legal sector and their lives would be positively transformed. That is not to say this is a book only for in-house lawyers and the many who work with them, including the decision-makers who can maximise their contribution. It is for anyone interested in the mastery of themselves and their relationships at work and the doors this can open, and as needed, close. -- Jenifer Swallow is a lawyer and advisor to legal and technology businesses The Modern In-House Lawyer is something to be savoured - dip into it slowly and deliberately as Fenton offers a number of thought-provoking insights on navigating the c-suite and the boardroom, as well as on how to improve in-house lawyer relationships. Moreover, he presents a refreshingly original take on both in-house counsel leadership and the management of in-house legal careers - making this an important read for those who want to grow and lead, with authenticity and purpose. -- Mitchell Kowalski Reading this book is like being in conversation with Ciaran. Anyone who has spent time with him will recognise his authenticity. I like his direct style, the practical advice on relationship building, doing only seven things for seven dollars (not doing more for less), running the legal department as a business, speaking truth to power and holding that special role that comes with the practice of law in-house. As someone who aims to create an environment where others thrive, I particularly like Ciaran's focus on finding joy and being happy at work 75% of the time, as per the title of his next book, Most Mondays. -- Maaike De Bie Every decade or so, something comes along that changes the narrative of settled thinking. This book is as generous as a Wainwright walking guide, as well observed as a Bryson travel guide and as punchy and insightful as any McCormack 'What They Don't Teach You at ...' book. Fenton rests his views on a foundation of observing a generation of lawyers, and it is all here. If you are a lawyer, want to be a lawyer, are married to a lawyer, employ a lawyer, this book is not just important - it is essential. -- Paul Gilbert Ciaran Fenton has created a one-of-a-kind how-to manual and self-help guide, specifically written for in-house counsel. This book is a treasure trove of relevant advice and helpful insights that is well worth dipping into repeatedly. -- Orla Muldoon Just finished reading Ciaran Fenton's book, The Modern In-House Lawyer, published by Globe Law and Business Ltd. Really sound guidance and insights - a "must-read" for GC's. -- Russell Alexander Ciaran Fenton's book is a roadmap for growth and success. Any lawyer, whether in-house or private practice, solicitor or barrister, would find that it has much to offer. Fenton has developed a range of tools that offer a practical understanding of who we are, our purpose, and how we can navigate the tricky and sometimes toxic world of work. Extensive and informative footnotes highlight the breadth of his knowledge. -- Anthony Kenny
Sprache
Verlagsort
Zielgruppe
Produkt-Hinweis
Broschur/Paperback
Klebebindung
Maße
Höhe: 229 mm
Breite: 154 mm
Dicke: 15 mm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-1-78742-952-9 (9781787429529)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Endorsements 11
Acknowledgements 15
Foreword 19
Richard Moorhead, Professor of Law and Professional Ethics, University of Exeter
Introduction and context 23
1. The purpose of this book 23
2. How I stumbled into the in-house world 25
3. My early experiences working with in-house lawyers 26
4. My formative years 29
5. How I started in leadership consulting 31
6. My shock at the 'resign or conform' culture in-house 33
7. How this book came about 35
8. The structure of this book 39
Chapter 1: You - how to manage your relationship with yourself 43
1. Introduction 43
2. Feel/Need/Do 44
3. Seven principles 49
4. Your career is a unique micro-business 50
5. You are not a human capital asset 51
6. Parent/Adult/Child mode 52
7. Formative years' decisions and your timeline 54
8. Soft balance sheet 58
9. Soft profit and loss account 64
Chapter 2: Your career - how to manage the business of your in-house career 67
1. Introduction 67
2. Your career equity 67
2.1 Your CV 68
2.2 Your EQ 70
2.3 Your reputation 71
3. Your seven career options 72
3.1 Option 1: Stay where you are 73
3.2 Option 2: Leave and launch a new business 73
3.3 Option 3: Leave and join a start-up 74
3.4 Option 4: Leave and join a growth business 74
3.5 Option 5: Leave and join a mature business 74
3.6 Option 6: Leave and downshift 75
3.7 Option 7: Exploit family money or opportunities 75
4. Your personal purpose, strategy and behaviour (PSB) plan 75
4.1 Your career purpose (P) 75
4.2 Your career strategy (S) 76
4.3 Your career behaviour plan (B) 76
5. Your career-ism 77
6. Managing your career arc 79
7. How to sell yourself at interview, and your ideas and budget 80
7.1 My selling approach 81
8. Managing your job search 87
8.1 Leads 88
8.2 Opportunities 89
8.3 Your pipeline 89
8.4 Your covering letter 89
8.5 The interview process 90
8.6 Due diligence, contract negotiation and whether to accept long-term incentive plans 91
9. Your seven-step job search plan 91
9.1 Step 1: Start with humility 91
9.2 Step 2: Draft a word-perfect personal purpose (P) 92
9.3 Step 3: Stick to one strategy (S) 92
9.4 Step 4: Decide on your job search behaviour (B) 92
9.5 Step 5: (Re)Learn the art of marketing 92
9.6 Step 6: (Re)Learn how to sell yourself 92
9.7 Step 7: (Re)Learn how to buy 93
Chapter 3: How to manage your relationships at work as an in-house lawyer 95
1. Introduction 95
2. Your first 100 days 97
3. Your relationship grid 101
4. Green relationships 102
5. Amber relationships 104
6. Red relationships 105
7. The 10/20/70 rule of change 107
8. Emails, texts and posts 108
9. Learn from Lincoln: don't send that email in anger 109
10. Your use of language 111
11. Managing upwards 112
12. Ask your boss for help - you may get it 113
Chapter 4: Your key relationships in any organisation - how to view them 115
1. You 115
2. Family and friends 116
3. Society, the profession and the regulators 117
4: Your employer client 118
4.1 The purpose of your employer client 119
4.2 Your employer client's strategy 121
4.3 Your employer client's behaviour plan 123
4.4 Your employer client's main board 123
4.5 Your employer client's chair 123
4.6 Your employer client's NEDs 124
5. Your boss 125
6. The executive board 128
6.1 The CEO 128
6.2 The CFO 129
6.3 The COO 130
6.4 The chief revenue officer/sales director 131
6.5 The chief marketing officer 133
6.6 The chief technology officer 133
6.7 The HRD 134
7. External advisers and providers 135
8. Your legal team 137
Chapter 5: How to lead teams and work with boards 141
1. Introduction 141
2. Creating an environment in which people thrive 143
3. Developing the legal function 145
4. Meeting stakeholders' needs 145
5. Decision-making steps 145
5.1 Step 1: Share personal PSB plans 147
5.2 Step 2: Agree on an organisation or team PSB plan 149
5.3 Step 3: Agree on a board or team PSB plan (ie, terms of reference) 149
5.4 Step 4: Agree on a decision-making process 151
5.5 Step 5: Appoint a devil's advocate by rotation at each meeting 153
5.6 Step 6: Track the implementation of decisions 155
5.7 Step 7: Review outcomes and learn from them 155
6. The FRC code on decision making 156
7. Challenging behaviour: from bullying to martyrdom 156
8. Points of inflection on boards 158
9. "Least Likely to Say ..." is a useful legal team or board game 161
10. 'Small change' soft contracts 163
Chapter 6: Your client is your employer - how to manage that tension 165
1. Introduction 165
2. The problem 166
3. Analysis of the problem 166
4. What's top of mind for in-house lawyers? 168
4.1 Negativity 168
4.2 Disrespect 171
4.3 Ignorance 173
4.4 Ethical pressure 174
4.5 Office politics 179
4.6 Personal pressures 180
4.7 Inherent tension 186
5. Relationships in businesses 189
6. A new way 190
Chapter 7: How to reframe your legal department's relationship with your employer client 193
1. Introduction 193
2. Step 1: Secure a shared language on the PSB plan of your employer client 194
3. Step 2: Sell the generic PSB plan of the legal function to the employer client 198
4. Step 3: Set up a legal executive board to run the legal function as a business 199
5. Step 4: Tell - don't ask - your employer client what it needs from your legal function 204
6. Step 5: Negotiate a legal business plan which meets the organisation's needs but honours the purpose of the legal function 205
6.1 Points to consider in drafting the legal function business plan 205
7. Step 6: Reframe your relationship with external advisers 208
8. Step 7: Ensure the GC acts as the CEO of the legal function 211
Appendix 1 215
Inherent tension in-house: defusing the law department time bomb at a time of pandemic
Appendix 2 231
Lawyers and their regulators can make or break the ESG movement
Appendix 3 243
Strengthening governance through in-house lawyer independence
Appendix 4 251
GC Response to SRA In-house Solicitors Thematic Review
About the author 261
About Globe Law and Business 263
