Exercise 11. Read the text and role-play an interview with the counsel

In-house Counsel

Read the text and role-play an interview with the counsel.

I am a company lawyer, or in-house counsel. The company I work for is not very big, we manufacture pastries and cakes and distribute them to cafes and chocolate bars.

My responsibility is the legal support of the whole business and legal advice to my employers and staff.

I am always with the managers when the company is negotiating a deal. Then I draft the contract and meet with the lawyer of the client to discuss the subject matter and other details.

At some company meetings I take part in the discussion of the issues that need legal competence.

I am aware of the company’s financial affairs and plan the taxes the company pays. The chief accountant and I file the company’s tax return because it’s a serious matter.

Sometimes things go wrong. For example, our clients file a claim against us and want to bring an action. They are going to sue us for bad quality. That means that I must look into the case, find out if there really has been an act of damaged goods delivery and prepare for litigation. In lawcourt I act and speak for my company. I’ve won some cases.

Our company is expanding, and in a year or so there will be a legal department with three lawyers.

Legal Practice

Exercise 12 In Russia we also have a great number of legal professionals. Make a brief report about legal and law-related professions in Russia. Speak about the responsibilities and place of work.

UNIT II

LAW FIRM

Word Building

Exercise 1

Place the following nouns into appropriate column of the chart to make a collocation

practice; services; firm; advice; matters; report; office; needs; dispute; case;

representation; issue; community; decision; expertise;

Legal	Law
services	firm