In-House Interview: Cezminur Aslıhan Evcimen, Head of Legal & Compliance, Vaillant Group/Turkey

Please tell us about your career path and goals.

I was encouraged from a young age to pursue a career in law. Given the seeds that were planted in my head over the years, I decided to go to law school.

I have had a diverse career in the legal field, with experience in both private practice and in-house roles. My work with various companies in different industries has provided me with a range of legal and compliance expertise.

I completed my law degree at Marmara University in Istanbul, Turkey. I began my journey as a legal specialist for a leading bus and midibus manufacturer in Istanbul, where I honed my legal and compliance expertise. After working there for 4 years, with advice from my supervisors, I decided to further my education by obtaining a degree in Business Administration and Management, thus I moved to San Francisco, USA to study at the University of California, Berkeley. While studying at UC Berkeley and immediately after graduating, I had the opportunity to work for an export company located in Alameda, California for a year.

And back in 2009 April, I made up my mind to relocate to Istanbul in order to practice law as a lawyer in Turkey.

Upon returning to Istanbul in 2009, I began working for a prominent law firm, advising some of Turkey's most recognized holding companies, and subsequently became seconded as an in-house lawyer for the first drug store of Turkey.

I then moved on to serve as in-house counsel for a reputable Turkish dairy company, where I was responsible for international and national M&A projects as well as the legal consultancy and contracts department.

My career trajectory then led me to an international technology company that develops AI-based smart city solutions. The company has offices across the globe, including the USA, UAE, Switzerland, and Germany. In this role, I led all legal and compliance matters for the company's Turkey operations as well as its operations abroad.

And now since 2018 November, I am working for the Turkish companies of a globally leading provider of sustainable and responsible system solutions and services for heating cooling, and hot water. As their Head of Legal and Compliance together with my team, I am responsible for handling the legal, compliance, corporate housekeeping, and insurance matters of the companies operating in sales, marketing, production, export and after-sales. In addition, I am part of the company's leadership team, and I report directly to the counsel in the central legal and compliance department based in Germany.

My passion for the law is unwavering, and I firmly believe that being a lawyer is more than just a profession - it is a calling. Throughout my extensive and varied career in the legal field, I've had the privilege of working with diverse industries and companies, both locally and globally; and I have found the most rewarding aspect of my work to be acting as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the businesses I have served. I am grateful to have found a career that aligns with my values and enables me to make a positive difference in the world. As an experienced counsel, I look forward to leveraging my legal knowledge and strategic insights to help business thrive and grow.

What inspired you to become an in-house counsel?

As a seasoned legal professional with extensive experience in both law firms and corporate settings, I have honed my skills and developed a deep appreciation for the unique value proposition of the in-house counsel role. The opportunity to work collaboratively with other departments and contribute to the strategic direction of the organization is a defining feature of this role that I find particularly rewarding. By gaining a deeper understanding of the business operations and strategic priorities, I am able to provide more nuanced and effective legal advice that is tailored to the specific needs of the organization.

In addition to the exposure to business operations, another aspect of the in-house counsel role that has captured my interest is the diverse range of legal issues that one encounters on a daily basis. In my experience, this broad exposure has provided me with a more strategic perspective on legal issues and enabled me to deliver more informed and effective legal advice. Whether it be contract negotiations, regulatory compliance, or litigation, I thrive on the challenge of addressing a wide range of legal issues and finding creative solutions to complex problems.

What do you believe are the most important skills for lawyers to grasp business needs better and develop in order to succeed in-house?

I believe, to be a successful in-house counsel and understand business needs, lawyers need to develop several essential skills, including:

Business acumen: In-house lawyers must have a solid understanding of the business they work for and the industry in which it operates. This requires knowledge of financial statements, business strategy, and key performance indicators. Lawyers who understand the business context can provide more valuable legal advice and better serve the needs of the organization.

Communication: Effective communication is essential for in-house lawyers. They must be able to explain complex legal issues to non-lawyers, such as executives and department heads. Strong written and verbal communication skills are critical to building relationships and gaining the trust of stakeholders.

Problem-solving: In-house lawyers must be able to quickly identify legal issues and provide practical solutions that meet the needs of the business. They should have a proactive mindset and anticipate legal issues before they arise. Lawyers who can provide effective problem-solving help mitigate risk and contribute to the success of the organization.

Collaboration: Successful in-house lawyers work closely with colleagues across the organization to understand business needs and priorities. Collaboration skills are essential for building relationships with stakeholders, managing competing priorities, and achieving business objectives.

Technology proficiency: Technology plays an increasingly important role in the legal profession. In-house lawyers should have a good understanding of technology tools and platforms that can help them work more efficiently and effectively. Technology proficiency can help lawyers provide better service to clients and drive business value.

Risk management: In-house lawyers need to be able to assess and manage legal risks facing the business. This includes understanding regulatory compliance, contract negotiation, and litigation strategy. Lawyers who can effectively manage risk help protect the organization and contribute to its success.

Leadership: In-house lawyers should be able to lead and manage legal teams, as well as work collaboratively with other departments and stakeholders. They should be able to inspire and motivate others to achieve shared objectives. Leadership skills are essential for lawyers who want to make a meaningful impact in their organizations.

Developing these skills takes time and effort, but they are essential for lawyers who want to succeed in an in-house counsel role and better understand business needs.

Please tell us your thoughts on digital transformation and technological advancements in the Legal and Compliance departments.

I have witnessed firsthand the significant impact of digital transformation and technological advancements on legal departments. Undeniably, digital transformation has revolutionized the way legal professionals operate, providing powerful tools and platforms that enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen risk management capabilities.

In particular, document management systems, data analytics, contract management systems, and automation tools have substantially influenced legal departments, enabling them to manage documents more efficiently, analyze large volumes of data to gain insights, and automate routine tasks. Additionally, digital technology has enabled legal and compliance departments to automate many mundane tasks, freeing up valuable time for legal and compliance professionals to focus on more complex and strategic matters. While digital transformation has offered numerous advantages, it has also created new challenges and risks, such as cybersecurity threats and data privacy concerns. Thus, it is crucial for legal and compliance professionals to remain vigilant and adapt to these changes to reap the full benefits of digital transformation.

In conclusion, the digital transformation of legal and compliance departments has yielded significant benefits, including increased operational efficiency, cost reduction, enhanced collaboration, and improved risk management capabilities. As legal and compliance professionals, we must leverage these transformative technologies while recognizing the associated challenges and risks to provide exceptional service.

Any mentoring tips for young lawyers?

Be kind to yourself, and treat yourself with the same compassion and kindness that you would show to a friend. Avoid negative self-talk and focus on building a positive relationship with yourself.

Make time for exercise, healthy eating, and self-care activities that help you de-stress and recharge. Prioritize your physical and mental health.

Be more confident while speaking your minds, have active listening skills, be open-minded, admit mistakes, and be accountable and learn from them.

Work hard and persevere. Have integrity and compassion. Do not be afraid of being strong and vulnerable, as both are necessary to be authentic and relatable.

Whether it's with family, friends, or colleagues, focus on building relationships that are based on mutual respect, trust, and support.

Embrace diversity and inclusion: the legal profession is diverse, and it's important to embrace different perspectives and experiences. Be respectful of differences and actively work towards creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.

Remember, every young lawyer's journey is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to success. However, by prioritizing self-care, building positive relationships, continuously learning, and growing, and staying connected to industry developments, young lawyers can set themselves up for a rewarding and fulfilling career in the legal profession.