Stephen Lerner
General counsel and director of regulatory affairs
Hutchison 3G UK
Steven Lerner sees his role as an innovator. ‘3 is not afraid of challenging the status quo or taking risks so we expect our external firms to think in a more creative and challenging way,’ he says.
He believes it’s important to get real value for money from law firms and for fees to track to estimates. If they do not, he expects regular contact on work in progress so work can be appropriately budgeted, as should be the case with all other suppliers of services. He expects his external lawyers to immerse themselves in the issues the company faces and develop truly creative approaches tailored to his business.
Lerner also expects the company’s external lawyers will not ‘sit on the fence’ with advice but really provide sensible recommendations as if they themselves were having to make key business decisions.
Law firms used: Baker & McKenzie, Bond Dickinson, Harper Macleod, Lester Aldridge, Lewis Silkin, Piper Smith Watton, Watson, Farley & Williams
2003-present: General counsel and director of regulatory affairs, Hutchison 3G UK
1999-2003: Senior lawyer, Clifford Chance
1998-99: Solicitor, Cameron McKenna