In this video, Emma Dickin, Head of Lexis+ In House Guidance at LexisNexis, speaks with Sunil Sehgal, Chief Counsel, Northern Europe at Mondelez International, about building stronger relationships between legal and commercial teams.
Drawing on years of experience bridging the two functions, Sunil shares his top three tips for in-house lawyers looking to build trust, add value, and become genuinely embedded in the business.
Get to know your business, inside out
It’s not enough to understand the legal risk – Sunil encourages lawyers to immerse themselves in the depth of how the business actually works. That might mean spending time on the manufacturing floor to see how products are made, shadowing sales teams out in the field, or simply getting familiar with the financial metrics that drive growth. The more legal teams understand what makes the business tick, the more effectively they can contribute in the room, and help the business develop.
Add value beyond legal services
Once that foundation of business understanding is in place, it’s time to go further – proactively seeking out projects and initiatives that go beyond the legal remit. He also highlights the importance of understanding the wider business-relevant metrics, and using that same language – risk, complexity, time taken – to demonstrate the value the legal team brings.
Protect your independence and integrity
Helping the business grow matters, but not at any cost. Sunil is clear that legal teams must hold on to their independence, integrity, and role in managing conflict, and always know where the lines sit – pointing to the Post Office scandal as a reminder of what’s at stake when they’re crossed. His message is simple: immerse yourself in the business, but don’t lose sight of your “red lines.” It’s not business above everything – as a lawyer, you carry responsibilities that matter just as much as the commercial goal in front of you.
A must–watch for any in-house lawyer looking to strengthen their relationship with the wider business, without compromising on what makes their role essential.
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