The Southern California Young Lawyers Committee of WILEF put on its annual program, titled “The In-House Lawyer: How to Become A Trusted Advisor” on February 28, 2019, at host firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP’s Los Angeles office.

The two-hour breakfast and networking event featured a panel of senior-level in-house counsel from Marvel Studios, Amazon, Prime Healthcare, and Global Eagle. Moderated by Gibson Dunn partner Daniela Stolman, the panel shared their wisdom and provided practical takeaways to WILEF members and guests on how to develop and maintain strong client relationships built on trust, strategic counsel, and innovative solutions to their business dilemmas. The panel touched on:

1.     How to frame legal advice and recommendations to busy in-house/senior attorneys;

2.     Considering issue spotting outside of an assignment’s boundaries to add value (and draw in more business);

3.     Best practices for communicating with clients, from the mundane to most sensitive subjects; and

4.     Maximizing productivity in business development and face-to-face interactions with clients.

The panel was well-received by attendees. The event was capped off with audience questions asking our diverse panel to reflect on their own career development paths and the challenges each panelist has overcome. WILEF thanks Gibson Dunn, the panelists, and its YLC for putting together a spirited and thought-provoking event.