An interview with Natalie Salunke, a Fractional General Counsel in the UK.
How would you describe the state of the GC Community in your region? How has it changed since you first moved in-house?
The GC community in London is very buoyant – there are always lots of interesting conferences, webinars and events to attend, often free of charge. When I first moved in-house we only really had The Lawyer or Practical Law putting on events, which were often difficult to get on for free, and also the law firms that you happened to be the client of. Nowadays there is an abundance of events put on in order for GCs to connect and share with one another. They’re also generally a group that is really keen to share rather than keep knowledge to themselves to retain a competitive advantage.
Why is expanding your network important to you? What kinds of connections or discussions would be most valuable to you?
Networking is crucial because the GC role can sometimes be isolating – we often deal with complex, high-stakes decisions with no obvious internal sounding board. Expanding my network allows me to engage with peers who have navigated similar challenges, whether in scaling legal teams, handling regulatory shifts or influencing at the board level. The most valuable discussions for me are those around leadership and how to effectively demonstrate the legal team’s impact on the business. Learning from others’ experiences, both successes and failures, helps me grow as a leader.
What do you want to achieve by collaborating with other GCs and senior in-house lawyers? Are there specific topics, challenges, or experiences you’d like to share or learn more about?
Collaboration with other GCs and senior in-house lawyers provides an opportunity to share insights on emerging challenges, such as AI governance, ESG compliance and navigating economic uncertainty. I’m particularly interested in how legal leaders can drive efficiency and automation in their teams, as well as how to develop talent within the legal function. I also value discussions on personal career growth – whether it’s stepping into board roles, transitioning between industries or preparing for the next leadership challenge. By working together, we can elevate the role of in-house lawyers and reinforce the strategic value we bring to businesses.
