Lawyers for Projects and IESE Business School present a pioneering case to solve the challenges of transforming the legal function in companies
Lawyers for Projects, the first firm in Spain to provide legal services through top-tier flexible talent, has collaborated with IESE Business School to develop the Noritia Case: From the art of doing to the art of delegating? a new case in which a family-owned multinational faces significant challenges in the management of its legal department, marked by accelerated business growth, digitization, cultural differences in the business context and the division of opinions.
Noritia case: from the art of doing to the art of delegating?
The case was presented this morning in a session led by Professor Alejandro Lago, director of the Department of Operations, Information and Technology at IESE Business School, and attended by more than 70 leaders of legal departments of large corporations. The session analyzed the different challenges posed by the case and jointly explored innovative and practical strategies to provide more effective responses to the business, through bold approaches that bring differentiating and strategic value to the legal function.
This is the first time in Spain that the ‘case method’ has been used to address the challenges currently facing corporate legal departments, including increased regulatory complexity, pressure for greater efficiency, as well as the need to adapt to a globalized and digitized business environment and to play a strategic role in corporate decision-making.
“The case method helps managers and entrepreneurs in their experience in business life and improves their day-to-day decision making. Therefore, this session brings together people from different sectors and functional areas, and with the excuse of the case, experiences and experiences are shared. In it, everyone learns from everyone else, as a mutual enrichment. From here, no single solution is created, but different points and visions are created, and in this way each professional is nurtured in the decision-making process,” says Guillermo De Prat, Program Director Executive Education IESE.
Laia Moncosí, CEO of Lawyers for Projects, says: “At Lawyers for Projects, we are very aware that, in today’s business context, good lawyers not only know the law, but go one step further: they adopt a business mentality. With this case we wanted to share our experience and knowledge gained over the years collaborating with legal teams from various companies on how to approach the operations of the legal function to become strategic partners of their organizations”.
The challenges of the case
The legal environment and process management are two realities often at odds. In today’s business world, characterized by its dynamism and increasing digitization, leaders of legal departments in companies are required to possess not only technical expertise, but also agility and immediate responsiveness. Thus, operational excellence becomes a fundamental pillar of their success.
Noritia’s main challenge lies in finding a balance between operational efficiency and effective legal risk management, especially in a constantly changing business environment and with different legal cultures in the regions where it operates. There is an urgent need to find a solution for the deficiencies detected in internal communication and processes following a recent incident that has had a high financial impact for the company.
Jesús Gragera, Global Legal Operations Manager at Fluidra, offers a unique perspective on the Noritia case: “It illustrates the significant challenges faced by legal departments in growing companies, especially when it comes to managing expansion and the associated workload. It is critical to review the operations of the legal function and adapt them to the needs of the business.” He adds, “From our experience, it is also important to have flexible and adaptive solutions to address these types of challenges.”
“The case method offers a dynamic and enriching learning experience by encouraging in-depth discussions and finding innovative solutions. It facilitates creative thinking and drives the development of essential skills to solve complex problems.” He continues, “Every organization is unique, so taking a strategic approach is essential. It is critical to identify priorities and align operations with them to ensure effective collaboration and joint progress towards shared goals,” says John Rigau, Vice President, General Counsel at PepsiCo West Europe.
Finally, and by way of conclusion, Laura Badenes, Senior Legal Director, Iberia at Sanofi, adds that: “In an increasingly dynamic and competitive business environment, technology has become an indispensable ally for legal departments as well. However, an excellent legal function goes beyond technology. Well-defined operational processes, effective knowledge and information management, and an appropriate outsourcing strategy are essential to ensure efficient and effective legal advice”.
