The ability to play a role in YRC`s business and communications strategy is one of the reasons Fry became in-house counsel and joined the company in the first place. He had worked in private practice for a decade before moving into an in-house role, and the move gave him not only a better work-life balance, but also the chance to be part of a company`s decision-making process rather than just another legal resource. Fry, vice president, general counsel and secretary of YRC Worldwide, one of the world`s largest transportation services, oversees the company`s compliance with all laws, rules and regulations. While he excelled in this legal role, his mission was also to further improve YRC`s internal communications. This included liaising between its legal department and the rest of the company`s departments to make sure everyone is on board, which needs to be done when noticeable industry changes occur. “We don`t work in silos and only look at things from a purely legal perspective,” Fry says. “The legal department is in open communication with all departments of the company. Rather than implementing policies, procedures or changes unilaterally and without explanation or clarification, we work with individuals and departments to identify impacts, understand their views and collectively find acceptable solutions within an established legal framework. I do not want the legal service to be seen as a necessary evil or an obstacle to the conduct of business. I want to be seen as a business partner that enables creative solutions.
In the legal profession, information is the key to success. You need to know what`s happening to customers, competitors, industries, and industries. Law360 provides the intelligence you need to stay an expert and beat the competition. “We expect companies to do honest and fair business with the government,” said Deputy Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Department of Justice`s civil division. “This settlement demonstrates the department`s ongoing commitment to holding accountable those who defraud the government and therefore U.S. taxpayers.” Jim Fry ensures that his YRC legal department continues to focus on the company`s objectives by constantly and accurately interacting with other business units. Work with various colleagues in finance, accounting, treasury, human resources, operations, internal audit, tax, real estate and other departments to enable a coordinated team approach. As General Counsel, Fry has learned that while it is important to have an effective legal department, it is equally important that this department works effectively with different parts of the business and helps them understand change through effective communication. When it comes to YRC`s internal communications, Fry and the company do a painstaking job of making sure everyone who needs to know does so.
Whenever a new law, policy or procedural change needs to be announced, the legal team will speak to the organization`s supervisors to determine how to communicate the announcement, who should receive the announcement, and what is the most effective way to spread the message, whether it`s an in-person meeting, webcast, or company-wide announcement. Webcasts are also stored in an electronic library, so employees can always go back and listen to refer or refresh their memory. At least fifteen (15) years of relevant legal experience. “We could just say, `Hey, here`s a new law; You have to stick to it,” Fry says. “But I think it`s also our job to work with operations and other departments involved to determine the best approach, what will ease the transition and how we can communicate it. I believe that my department is not only disseminating information, but actively participating in its implementation and determining how this will affect operations and the business in the future. A minimum of three (3) years of experience directly supervising lawyers, paralegals and support staff. It is an oft-cited principle that an in-house legal department does not exist in silos, staggered and independent of the company it serves. Jim Fry believes in this idea with all his heart. “If you`re in private practice, focus more on legal advocacy and litigation,” Fry says. “That doesn`t mean you don`t focus on that in an internal role. You simply develop a more holistic business approach to how you approach and manage problems, and you need to be aware of how your decisions may affect more than one area of the business.
You need to consider both the legal and business implications and the full range of circumstances of your business environment. You are not just a lawyer; You are a representative of the company. Focuses on corporate law, securities, debt financing, governance, compliance, executive compensation, employee benefits and taxes, among others, and oversees several direct reports. Must have at least ten (10) years of experience in a medium to large law firm and/or legal department. The individual in this position is expected to work closely with internal clients, including the General Counsel and other senior executives, as well as the Board of Directors, to understand their needs and help them achieve their business objectives.