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Reversing cultural decline: Lessons from the PwC scandal and navigating legal duties
In the wake of the PwC scandal and subsequent parliamentary inquiry, legal professionals are being called upon to play a more active role in ensuring accountability, transparency, and compliance within organisations.
Lawyers Weekly
As companies face heightened scrutiny, the role of legal professionals in shaping and maintaining ethical cultures has never been more critical.
At the Corporate Counsel Summit 2025, the general counsel at the University of Sydney, Olivia Perks, and the general counsel at Royal Women’s Hospital Melbourne, Danielle Corden, will examine how corporate counsel can navigate entrenched workplace behaviours, enforce legal and ethical standards, and strengthen the integrity of business operations.
Navigating legal privilege within the corporate context
As regulatory scrutiny increases, corporate counsel must carefully manage legal privilege to safeguard confidential communications while meeting growing expectations for transparency.
Privilege is a cornerstone of effective legal advice, fostering candid discussions between executives and their legal teams — however, its scope is not without limitations.
The boundaries of privilege can become blurred, particularly in interactions with regulatory bodies, internal investigations, and when in-house counsel provide both legal and commercial advice.
To preserve privilege, corporate counsel should establish clear protocols for privileged communications, ensuring legal advice remains distinct from business discussions.
Corporate counsel must remain vigilant in safeguarding privileged communications, particularly when dealing with regulators, third parties, or compliance teams.
Striking this balance between maintaining privilege, ensuring transparency, and strong corporate governance is essential for managing legal risks and preserving an organisation’s integrity.
The role of legal voice in corporate decision making
Legal counsel must take a proactive role in corporate governance, embedding legal and ethical considerations into decision making at all levels.
To amplify the legal voice, organisations should integrate legal advisers into key business functions, ensuring they have a seat at the table for strategic discussions.
Panellists will discuss successful approaches at the 2025 Corporate Counsel Summit, including examples of conducting tailored legal training programs, fostering cross-functional collaboration through legal-business partnerships, and leveraging compliance technology to streamline processes and enhance visibility.
Embedding legal guidance into business operations helps cultivate a compliance-focused culture where legal input is valued as a driver of organisational success rather than a regulatory obligation.
By engaging leadership early, demonstrating the business value of legal oversight, and positioning legal counsel as a strategic partner, organisations can enhance risk management, ensure compliance, and uphold ethical standards.
The Right to Disconnect and its impact on workplace culture
The introduction of Right to Disconnect laws has sparked significant changes in workplace culture, particularly regarding work/life balance.
These laws have had a profound impact on employee rights and organisational practices, offering both challenges and opportunities.
Legal experts are examining the implications of this legislative change and offering practical guidance for navigating this new terrain while safeguarding employee wellbeing and productivity.
As regulatory expectations continue to rise, corporate counsel must remain at the forefront of promoting ethical business practices.
By driving initiatives that prioritise transparency and compliance, in-house legal professionals play a critical role in shaping corporate cultures that value integrity, mitigate risk, and foster long-term success.
The Corporate Counsel Summit 2025
Currently in its seventh year, the Corporate Counsel Summit 2025 offers Australia’s in-house counsel practical tools and strategies for career and business success.
Panellists at the “Reversing Cultural Decline” session will explore how to prioritise values-based decision making, shifting the balance of power in organisations to build transparency, raise accountability, and promote integrity and wellbeing.
The summit will be held on Thursday, 8 May 2025, at The Star in Sydney for an unrivalled leadership forum set to propel Australia’s in-house community to endless opportunities. Click here to buy tickets.
Learn more about the speakers, view the full agenda, and make sure to secure your tickets now.
For more information about the Corporate Counsel Summit 2025, click here.
