International General Counsel Training Programme Launched

Unique, Award-Winning, International General Counsel Training Programme Launched in NZ

New Zealand’s fast-growing cluster of in-house lawyers (over 21% of lawyers) are about to access global best practice resources and training, courtesy of an outstanding, international training initiative.

DLA Piper New Zealand has launched the NZ arm of their internationally award-winning programme– WIN – at an event in Auckland on 5 July. It will launch in Wellington on 7 July.

DLA Piper’s programme is unique among law firms in New Zealand.

The 'WIN' ('What In-house lawyers Need') programme originated in the UK in 2010. In 2013 it was recognised by the Financial Times, earning DLA Piper the 'Most Innovative Law firm in Client Service' title. There are currently nearly 4000 worldwide regular, registered users ofWIN globally.

The WIN programme is a fusion of technical and commercial career development training, insights into the discipline of working in-house as a lawyer, personal networking skills and peer encouragement.

'This is an international programme of outstanding quality, breadth and depth,' says DLA Piper Partner Sue Brown. 'For registered members, there are on-demand webinars, toolkits, courses, and resources. It allows New Zealand lawyers the opportunity for key insights into global trends, new disciplines and sophisticated ways of managing in house legal activities. Through events, it also allows them to network and learn from one another. And it teaches ‘soft skills’ such as communication too.'

In New Zealand, says Ms Brown, the programme is tailored to New Zealand needs. 'It’s focused on what’s happening right here and now,' she says. 'We are in an increasingly complex legal and regulatory environment and in-house lawyers need to keep up their knowledge and capability. More and more often, in-house lawyers are at the centre of risk management, major procurement and compliance issues. As well as keeping on top of more traditional 'legal' issues. The methodologies provided through the WIN programme are the best in the world in these areas, and relevant right now to New Zealand.'

Examples of the programmes available online include: a webinar on cyber security (in which a panel of in-house legal experts discuss their experience of cyber attacks and how to prevent them); a webinar on communications skills from one of the world’s leading teachers of networking and communications. These programmes are available exclusively to registered users, and are interactive. Registered members who work through the WIN training courses are eligible for CPD (continuing professional development) points, necessary to maintain a practising certificate.

WIN also provides in-house lawyers with immediate access to international thinking on global issues. Following the Brexit referendum, for instance, DLA Piper provided rapid interpretation of the legal implications of the vote – straight to in-house New Zealand lawyers who were members.

The Launch – a Dramatised Training Film

In the launch event, DLA Piper shared its acclaimed dramatised film “At What Cost”. Specially scripted and directed, this film focuses on organisational governance and control, in a successful imaginary US corporate. In a series of scenes, it shows the corporate failing to deal well with a major opportunity – and placing the organisation at risk, with significant consequences for all.

'’At What Cost’ has at its heart the role of general counsel,' says Ms Brown. 'It’s about executive culture and behaviour, people who pay lip service to systems but fail to do the job they’re supposed to.'

DLA Piper stops the action on the film during its showing and poses challenging questions to the audience. 'It prompts meaningful discussion and learning among in-house counsel,' says Ms Brown. 'It highlights the importance of the job of the in-house lawyer and the laws, regulations and controls in the organisation. It demonstrates why what in-house counsel do, truly matters.'

'At What Cost' also won a bronze award in the USA national 34th Annual Telly Awards (2013), recognising excellence in film and video production.

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