Member in the Spotlight allows us to get up-close and personal with some of our ACC Australia members. This week we are shining the spotlight on Aditi Kogekar, Deputy General Counsel, Legal at icare and winner of the 'Government Lawyer of the Year' at the 2021 ACC Australia Corporate Lawyer Awards.
Tell us about your current role.
I lead the Strategy, People and Risk team within Legal at icare. We work across the business on major regulatory actions, reform, sensitive investigations and reviews and HR matters. We’ve had a lot of political and media scrutiny of icare over the last couple of years so it is a busy job but the work is challenging and meaningful.
What do you believe is the most important skill an in-house lawyer needs?
Adaptability. The subject matter, type of work and people you work with change constantly, even in the course of a day. It can be tough but I’ve found keeping an open mind and going with the flow are essential in-house!
What led you to pursue an in-house legal role?
After almost 10 years in private practice I was keen to get to know an organisation from the inside out, rather than providing advice from the outside. Working with a large team of people dedicated to the same purpose has been really rewarding and it has helped give us direction during the challenges.
What advice would you offer to in-house counsel in building relationships with their organisations
As hard as it sometimes feels, don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you think they seem stupid, ask someone you feel comfortable with. Each organisation is unique and it will only make your life easier to understand how yours works.
What is the one thing a law degree doesn’t teach you about being an in-house lawyer?
Making the law practical and accessible for non-lawyers is one of the most important parts of your job.
What are the biggest changes you’ve witnessed across the legal sector since you joined the profession?
The biggest changes have probably come from the impact of COVID-19 – using technology to disrupt and improve a profession that was very set in its ways for a long time.
Finish this sentence… If I wasn’t a lawyer I’d be…
A teacher or a (struggling) writer of some description.
I like being a part of the ACC Australia community because…
It is really set up for lawyers working in-house and recognises the unique challenges of that job.