Combining legal rigour with people management provides a strategic edge, argues Fernando Garcia
In February 2024, I took on the chief legal and people officer (CLPO) role at the Opta Group, blending legal counsel responsibilities with people leadership. This shift reaffirmed the "plus-shaped lawyer," a model I developed many years ago and originally published in Canadian Lawyer magazine to describe the evolving skills needed for today’s legal professionals.
Every leader is shaped by their unique career and academic journey. While backgrounds differ, combining diverse experiences – whether in legal, HR, finance, or operations – brings valuable perspectives. Success lies in translating those experiences into actionable insights. A role like CLPO means integrating skills traditionally associated with legal risk management with those needed to foster a supportive work environment.
The plus-shaped lawyer concept reflects this integration, advocating for a lawyer’s skill set to extend beyond traditional legal boundaries and engage with other critical business functions. Balancing legal expertise with HR leadership allows for a more holistic contribution to an organization.
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Beyond traditional legal skills
The plus-shaped lawyer emphasizes expanding competencies beyond legal expertise to gain a holistic understanding of the business. Traditional in-house counsel roles focus on contracts, compliance, and litigation – core risk mitigation functions. Today, these must integrate with critical areas like HR, operations, and strategy.
In my CLPO role, I may start the day reviewing contracts and end it by working with the HR team on initiatives to shape company culture through team building and employee development. This dual responsibility ensures compliance in areas like labour relations while focusing on employee well-being. Combining legal and people management is essential for a company’s success.
Applying legal expertise across a broader range of functions gives a more strategic view of an organization's operations. Legal decisions no longer exist in a vacuum; they intersect with every aspect of the business.
The role of soft skills
Soft skills, like emotional intelligence and communication, are just as critical as legal expertise in the plus-shaped lawyer model. The CLPO role demonstrates the value of these skills, particularly when managing the people side of the business.
Navigating employee issues such as mergers and acquisitions or performance management requires understanding the human impact and engaging with compassion. These skills foster trust with employees and leadership teams, enabling legal counsel to function as a strategic partner.
Moreover, being the company’s first in-house counsel often adds another layer to this dynamic. Building trust across the organization requires strong communication and relationship-building. Engaging early in business decisions can help prevent future legal risks and reinforce the importance of integrating legal expertise into strategy.
Learning from the team and culture
A vital aspect of the plus-shaped lawyer is the ability to listen and learn from others. In a role that spans legal and HR functions, it's crucial to understand the company’s culture. Colleagues’ insights provide invaluable context for decisions, ensuring alignment with the company’s values.
Prioritizing listening to the team and valuing the existing culture helps ensure that policies are legally compliant and culturally aligned. Learning from colleagues bridges the gap between legal and HR needs, creating solutions that reflect legal requirements and human elements.
Building trust in an in-house legal role
As a company’s first in-house legal position, the CLPO role requires building confidence in the legal function. Trust must be earned, especially when legal processes are new to the organization.
Building trust requires both technical expertise and soft skills. Colleagues need to see legal as a proactive partner. By engaging early, legal counsel can prevent risks and demonstrate that the legal function is integral to business strategy.
Organizational impact
The plus-shaped lawyer model creates opportunities to shape a company dynamically. Lawyers who extend their expertise into areas like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or environmental, social, and governance (ESG) can make a significant impact.
This model allows legal professionals to contribute to initiatives that drive sustainability and enhance corporate culture. Ensuring that legal compliance aligns with employee engagement and company values helps create an inclusive and forward-thinking work environment.
Embracing the plus-shaped lawyer
The plus-shaped lawyer model for in-house counsel represents a shift from traditional legal expertise to a broader skill set encompassing HR, operations, and strategy. This approach enables legal professionals to contribute more meaningfully to their organizations.
In my CLPO role, the plus-shaped lawyer model has allowed me to blend legal rigour with human-focused leadership. By addressing both the legal and people needs of the business, I am helping to build a legally compliant and culturally vibrant company. The challenges are significant, but the rewards are even greater, proving the value of the plus-shaped lawyer in today’s corporate landscape.
