Counsel+

Link, learn, lead

counsel+

Welcome to Counsel+ a dedicated forum powered by Blake Morgan exclusively for in-house lawyers.

At Blake Morgan we believe the best results are achieved through collaboration, so we offer our members the opportunity to join a large network of in-house lawyers where you can Link, Learn and Lead.

Membership to Counsel+ is free to in-house lawyers. Whether you are newly qualified or an established GC you’ll benefit from our learning resources complemented by networking opportunities with other legal professionals across a wide range of sectors and organisations.

Our legal teams take a commercial approach to providing relevant, realistic legal solutions. Join our mailing list to receive news, learning resources and invitations to Counsel+ events.

You can also join our Counsel+ LinkedIn Group here.

Events

Invitation only - 3 October 2024, 1776 restaurant at 1 Lombard Street, London - PAST EVENT

Blake Morgan's General Counsel (GC) Dinner on 3 October 2024 at the 1776 restaurant at 1 Lombard Street, London brought together our community of GCs to enjoy an evening of... Read More

Invitation only - 25 & 27 June 2024, Online - past event

Blake Morgan recently hosted a series of GC roundtables, as part of our Counsel+ forum, our platform specifically for in-house lawyers. It was an opportunity for GCs within our network... Read More

Webinar, Tuesday 6 February - PAST EVENT

We were pleased to be joined by Helen Wilson, the Head of Legal at Weetabix, for our Counsel+ Webinar on 6th February 2024. Read More

Dinner at Number 1 Lombard Street, 17 October 2023 - PAST EVENT

Blake Morgan hosted a general counsel dinner at the 1776 restaurant at Number 1 Lombard Street, London on 17 October 2023. Read More

Webinar, Wednesday 24 May - PAST EVENT

Using positions of power in negotiations is a key concept for both enabling or derailing transactions, projects, and careers. Read More

Roundtable, 9 March 2023 - PAST EVENTS

Blake Morgan continued the Real Estate Counsel Network programme with a virtual roundtable where we focused on the current state of the property market and what could lie ahead for... Read More

Counsel+ Insights

Articles

Crises aren't new for in-house legal teams, and of late we've seen widespread IT outages, sudden regulatory changes, elections, and political unrest. As in-house teams respond to an increasing number... Read More

Articles

In June 2024, Blake Morgan hosted two roundtable events for General Counsel (GCs) within our Counsel+ network. The focus of the roundtables was on ‘driving value through in-house legal functions’.... Read More

Articles

With ‘commerciality’ often cited by the board as a critical requirement for its legal team, it is essential as a General Counsel (GC) to balance commercial vs. legal decision making... Read More

Articles

General Counsel and their legal teams are facing challenging times but how can they tackle the key issues? As part of our Counsel+ forum, we heard from the Weetabix Head... Read More

Articles

General counsel are often expected to perform at the highest level (24/7). As a result, setting boundaries, ruthless prioritisation and learning to say ‘no’ are paramount in order to ensure... Read More

Articles

Key emerging real estate trends and a market update were on the agenda for a Counsel+ Real Estate roundtable event on 9 March. Partner George Panteli and Legal Director Angela... Read More

Click here for more Insights

In-House Insights interviews

Articles

If you are plunged in at the deep end and are able to make serene progress, that demonstrates resilience as well as having an ability to navigate risk. Managing legal... Read More

Articles

The road to becoming a successful General Counsel (GC) has many paths. As part of the Counsel+ In-House Insights interview series, we discovered how John Beckett’s journey took him from... Read More

Articles

The keys to success for in-house lawyers were on the agenda when Andrew Davies spoke to Blake Morgan. As part of the Counsel+ In-House Insights series of interviews, The General... Read More

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LINK

At Blake Morgan, many of our lawyers have experience of working in-house so we understand how valuable it is for you to have the opportunity to meet and share experiences with those in similar roles.

Counsel+ offers a full calendar of events throughout the year across various locations. The programme of events is deliberately varied to cater for the diverse nature of our network. So whether you are a sole legal counsel working at a start-up or GC managing an international legal department, there will be something for you.

LEARN

The Counsel+ programme includes online learning resources, legal updates and training seminars delivered by our team of specialists at Blake Morgan. Many of our lawyers are renowned for their expertise and regularly comment on topical legal issues in the media and at industry events.

What makes our forum different? We don’t just talk at you, we talk with you. Our forum offers a platform for sharing best practice and discussing technical legal points with peers helping you discover the best legal solutions for your organisation.

Our learning programme is bespoke to the needs of our Counsel+ members, so if you have a specific training requirement let us know clicking the ‘Get In Touch’ button below and filling in your details.

LEAD

Becoming a successful lawyer is about more than just your legal knowledge. It’s about understanding commercial drivers, pushing innovation and finding positive outcomes in challenging scenarios.

Counsel+ empowers you to lead your organisation to success. Whether you are transitioning into a leadership role or leading your in-house legal department already our thought leaders challenge your thinking and help you find relevant, realistic solutions to your legal issues.

Our members will have the opportunity to meet and hear directly from senior in-house lawyers and business leaders to understand what makes a successful in-house legal team.

More senior in-house lawyers are also invited to attend the annual GC/Heads of Legal roundtable where guests can share experiences over dinner with other heads of in-house legal departments.

Meet the Counsel+ team

Counsel+

Events

Blake Morgan General Counsel Dinner – PAST EVENT

GC Roundtable: Driving value through in-house legal functions

Counsel+: Weetabix Head of Legal on how to overcome key challenges – PAST EVENT

Counsel+: General Counsel dinner 2023 – PAST EVENT

Counsel+: Two misconceptions on using power in conflict negotiations – PAST EVENT

Real Estate Counsel+ roundtable: Market update and emerging trends in the property sector – PAST EVENTS

Counsel+ Insights

Effective strategies for General Counsel in preparing and responding to a crisis

Driving value through in-house legal functions

Balancing commercial vs. legal decision making to drive value at board level

How GCs can tackle key challenges with Weetabix Head of Legal Helen Wilson

Striking a balance – how to let go, and the principle of “progress, not perfection”

Counsel+ Real estate roundtable – Market update and emerging trends

In-House Insights interviews

In-House Insights: managing risk with Natalie Coates

In-House Insights: John Beckett’s leadership strategy as a GC

In-House Insights: Andrew Davies – keys to success for in-house lawyers

LINK

LEARN

LEAD

Meet the Counsel+ team

Penny
Rinta-Suksi

Partner

Lee
Fisher

Partner

Natalie
Coates

Partner

Oliver
Storey-Harris

Partner

Meera
Jansen

Partner

Gemma
Spiceley

Partner

Michael
Colledge

Partner

Counsel+

Events

Blake Morgan General Counsel Dinner – PAST EVENT

GC Roundtable: Driving value through in-house legal functions

Counsel+: Weetabix Head of Legal on how to overcome key challenges – PAST EVENT

Counsel+: General Counsel dinner 2023 – PAST EVENT

Counsel+: Two misconceptions on using power in conflict negotiations – PAST EVENT

Real Estate Counsel+ roundtable: Market update and emerging trends in the property sector – PAST EVENTS

Counsel+ Insights

Effective strategies for General Counsel in preparing and responding to a crisis

Driving value through in-house legal functions

Balancing commercial vs. legal decision making to drive value at board level

How GCs can tackle key challenges with Weetabix Head of Legal Helen Wilson

Striking a balance – how to let go, and the principle of “progress, not perfection”

Counsel+ Real estate roundtable – Market update and emerging trends

In-House Insights interviews

In-House Insights: managing risk with Natalie Coates

In-House Insights: John Beckett’s leadership strategy as a GC

In-House Insights: Andrew Davies – keys to success for in-house lawyers

LINK

LEARN

LEAD

Meet the Counsel+ team

PennyRinta-Suksi

Partner

LeeFisher

Partner

NatalieCoates

Partner

OliverStorey-Harris

Partner

MeeraJansen

Partner

GemmaSpiceley

Partner

MichaelColledge

Partner

Penny
Rinta-Suksi

Lee
Fisher

Natalie
Coates

Oliver
Storey-Harris

Meera
Jansen

Gemma
Spiceley

Michael
Colledge