In October-November 2024, we interviewed Ukrainian general counsels to understand current trends in engaging local counsels and use of legaltech in their day-to-day activity. Interviews were held to demonstrate to in-house lawyers, international law firms, and investors the most effective tools for selecting local counsel.

With preparations for the 2025 CEE General Counsel Summit in full swing, AMB Legal Partner Davor Majstorovic shares his thoughts about the upcoming event and what he’s looking forward to the most.

With preparations for the 2025 CEE Legal Matters Regional General Counsel Summit and Deal of the Year awards gala in Prague in full swing, Marton Eorsi, a Corporate Finance Partner at Addleshaw Goddard’s London office, shares his thoughts about the upcoming event and what he's looking forward to the most.

mBank Deputy General Counsel Pawel Szczepaniak talks about his path to banking and reflects on how his varied background continues to shape his approach to complex legal challenges.

Belupo General Counsel Eva Kovacic reflects on her journey from law firm beginnings to steering legal and compliance in the fast-paced pharmaceutical world.

TAV Macedonia Legal Affairs Manager Emilija Evtimova-Spaseska discusses her journey from law firm partner to in-house counsel and her role in overseeing legal operations for Skopje and Ohrid airports.

In the Inside Track, General Counsels across CEE share the nuances of their roles, challenges, and strategies for success. As summer is a time to unwind, we asked: With summer here, what is your one favorite yearly activity to disconnect and switch off?

As Pfizer’s Legal Director overseeing Greece, Cyprus, Malta, and Israel, Stathis Mihos explores EU health policy advancements and the complexities arising from the pandemic and examines how artificial intelligence is dynamically influencing lawyers’ work.

Overseeing diverse sectors across multiple countries, Petrol Group Director of Legal Affairs Mojca Logar discusses the challenges and strategies in managing the group’s legal affairs and navigating complex regulatory landscapes, while emphasizing internal legal expertise and collaborating with external firms for specialized projects and new legislation.

With a focus on keeping as much of the legal work in-house, Net-Connect Group Head of Regulatory Affairs Radu Culic discusses best practices for managing in-house legal budgets.

Photon Energy Group’s Deputy Group Legal Counsel Florina Mariana Homeghiu discusses her approach to managing legal budgets, including trends in costs and effective cost-cutting strategies.

Heureka Group CEE Head of Legal Gergely Szekely provides insights on his in-house legal team’s budget trends and management, considering the challenges inherent in the dynamic e-commerce sector.

Managing budgets in big companies could be seen at the same time as art and as a challenge. And art should never be under pressure.

In recent years, in-house legal teams have faced growing pressure to manage budgets more effectively while maintaining high standards of service. In this article, I will share best practices for managing legal budgets, and address trends, challenges, and strategies that have shaped the budgeting landscape for in-house legal teams.

M&A transactions involve numerous legal, financial, and operational challenges. As in-house counsel, we are responsible for businesses’ right risk allocation and risk mitigation, while we bear significant responsibility in ensuring the deal progresses smoothly and can be closed successfully. Given this high responsibility, effective collaboration with external counsel is crucial to navigating these high-stakes deals and ensuring a smooth and successful transaction. Drawing from my experience, I will share best practices for selecting, collaborating with, and managing external counsel during M&A projects to achieve optimal outcomes and make your life easier in the post-closing and integration stages.

Mondelez International Senior Counsel Competition Law Compliance Kameliya Naydenova emphasizes the importance of communication, trust, and practical expertise when working with external legal counsel.

Working with external counsel can be a crucial aspect of managing legal issues, especially for companies that need specialized expertise or extra support for their in-house legal team. To make the most of these collaborations, it’s important to follow some best practices that ensure efficiency, alignment with business goals, and cost-effectiveness. Here’s my straightforward guide to help work effectively with external legal experts.

Revetas Capital General Counsel Joanna Przybyl reveals her strategies for mastering relationships with external counsel, from choosing the right firms to keeping budgets on track.