Have you ever been labeled as the person who slows things down?
In today’s fast-paced business world, in-house legal teams have the power to flip that perception. Far from slowing things down, they can be the very force that enables innovation—when speed and risk are managed wisely.
Simon Zinger, Group General Counsel at Dentsu Aegis Network, has championed this approach, emphasizing that legal teams should not only protect the company but also fuel its growth. By fostering collaboration and offering practical solutions, legal departments can become integral drivers of innovation rather than obstacles to progress.
Watch the full conversation with Simon Zinger here :
How In-House Legal Teams Turn “No” into Business Opportunity
Historically, legal teams have been the gatekeepers—the ones saying, “no,” or “not yet.” But forward-thinking legal leadership is transforming this approach. Instead of focusing on limitations, today’s best in-house counsel are solution-driven. They ask, “How can we make this work within legal and compliance frameworks?”
Take this example:
Instead of saying, “We can’t launch due to privacy concerns,” a progressive legal team might say, “We can launch—if we update the data collection flow to meet privacy standards.”
This shift in mindset doesn’t just build internal trust—it positions the legal department as a strategic partner in accelerating business outcomes.
Speed and Risk Aren’t Opposites
Modern businesses thrive on speed. New products, market expansion, and evolving regulations demand fast, informed decision-making. But moving quickly without legal foresight can lead to costly mistakes.
That’s where the true value of legal operations comes in. When legal is embedded in the business process early, risks can be identified and mitigated before they escalate. By providing timely, business-savvy legal guidance, in-house legal professionals help teams move faster with confidence—not caution.
Legal Tech as a Speed Enabler
One of the key drivers in this transformation is the rise of legal tech. Tools like contract lifecycle management, compliance automation, and real-time collaboration platforms are no longer just nice to have—they’re essential.
For in-house counsel aiming to keep up with business velocity, legal tech enables faster turnaround times, minimizes manual reviews, and allows the team to focus on high-impact work. It’s not just about doing more with less; it’s about doing smarter, faster legal work that drives results.
Pair that with strong legal leadership, and you’ve got a recipe for long-term success in both compliance and innovation.
Shaping a Modern Legal Career In-house legal teams
Adopting a “Yes, if…” mindset not only supports the business—it also strengthens your legal career development. Being known as a legal leader who enables growth, rather than delays it, positions you as a key player in strategic discussions.
When you shift from a blocker to a builder, colleagues bring you into the room earlier. They seek your advice more often. And they trust you—not just to protect the company—but to help it grow.
The role of in-house legal professionals is evolving. Today, success lies in the ability to balance speed with sound legal judgment. Saying “no” is easy. Saying “yes, if…” is powerful. It changes the dynamic, reshapes perceptions, and elevates the legal function to its rightful place—at the heart of business strategy.
Ready to go from bottleneck to business accelerator? Start by changing how you say “yes.”
Dive into the next topic: In-House Legal Innovation: From Gatekeeper to Growth Partner
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