Legal Counsel
Recent matters:
Management Board advice for listed entity, Hong Kong
Trademark dispute resolution for outdoor brand, UK & Europe
Acquisition of outdoor brand, Parka London
Trademark filings for sports techonology company, Switzerland
Joint venture dispute negotiation and resolution, UK
Joint venture and IP advice for Japanese sake brand
Onboarding and management of global IP portfolio for a sportswear brand, trademarks, patents and designs
Commercial brand acquisitions (sports clothing and sports hardware)
Importance of Legal Counsel in business
Legal Counsel is a strategic role within business. The role of a legal counsel is no longer limited to managing the legal risk associated with the business that they work within.
Providing counsel for the different functions of a business (i.e. operations, marketing, brand and innovation) as well as managing legal risk and disputes in an effective manner.
Effective legal counsels now need to partner with the business, understand its issues and produce viable and tangible solutions.
Purpose of Legal Counsel
The key to effective legal counsel is too ‘enable’ business and make commercially savvy decisions. The benefit is two fold. Firstly, effective Counsel see the field of legal obstacles and find the right path and solutions for the goals of the business. Secondly, while understanding the goals and functions of the business, plan ahead to provide strategic advice based on both commercial and legal analysis. The ability to provide this combined advice is where Counsel can really add value to a business.
Business decisions based on legal grounds
Experienced Counsel in essential to good business. I have practised in both private and in-house General Counsel roles, as a solicitor and specialist advocate as a Barrister-at-Law, in Management Board roles and as Chief Operating Officer, in business across Europe, United Kingdom, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and North America.
This experience translates to accurate and ‘real-time’ commercial legal advice, driving business forward.
Legal Counsel as a business partner
Legal Counsel should be a resource that business can access as it makes sense. Not every business requires full time Counsel. Legal services can be provided flexibly to meet the needs of business. A flexible and experienced legal resource can provide positive benefits to business whilst also protecting cost control and budgets.
Areas of experience
international commercial law
intellectual property (trademarks, designs and copyright)
licensing and monetising intangible assets
negotiation and contract law
product liability
procurement
alternative dispute resolution (arbitration and mediation)
trade practices and competition law
investigations and legal project management
policy and compliance
legal risk management