Connecting Lawyers for the Legal Workplace of Tomorrow

Abstract

After two years into a three-year transformation program, Atos’ legal department, supported by its management team has created an integrated legal department which works effectively, each lawyer becoming an innovative and trusted partner to the company. Through a collaborative, bottom-up approach, the Generation Y lawyers have worked together with their peers to help them become Generation C (“Generation Connected”), thereby effectively using knowledge management and improving cross border cooperation and communication between lawyers. The culture of feedback and 360° communication is now embedded in the department’s DNA, enabling a mind-set focused on transparency, proximity and enthusiasm. The legal Department aims at breaking down the geographical barriers between lawyers to expand their skills with a strong focus on people development to retain and attract high potential people. All of this has been decided and led by the team, and not imposed by the management, allowing each lawyer to empower him/herself in a cross-cultural journey to make the Legal & Compliance Department of Atos the place they want to work in, while maintaining a high level of employability on the market. Such initiative has been rewarded by adoption and trust from the Executive Committee of the Group.