Our Activities

The range of tasks of the General Counsel has expanded enormously in the past decade. In addition to being a legal expert and the ethical compass of the company, it is expected of the modern General Counsel to be a strategic business partner, showing leadership and vision at the board level. Also be able to keep up with latest developments in terms of digitisation, reputation- and crisis management and globalisation.

Knowledge network GCN, for and by General Counsel, supports GCs in their tasks. A platform where GCs meet to share information and experiences and get to know other parties that favour innovation in the legal industry. An informal and open, yet professional atmosphere is central and you stay easily up to date on new trends and developments.

As GCN member you have free access to all activities listed below.

Every year we start with a pleasant and well-attended New Year’s gathering at a spectacular location.

For example, we were guests at the studios of the EndemolShine Group and at the Gallery of Honour at the Rijksmuseum. This is a unique opportunity to catch up and share your plans for the new year.

The General Counsel NL Annual Conference is the main annual conference for General Counsel in the Netherlands and takes place every spring, each time with a different central theme. During this day full of variety, you take part in three GCN Round tables of your choice. There are short, inspiring contributions of keynote speakers and there is plenty of opportunity for personal introductions where we are happy to help you.

Every fall the General Counsel NL Fall Conference takes place. From lunch to drinks you will be inspired by other General Counsel and special introductions. It is a unique and diverse gathering. Presentations are short and in-dept discussions are held in small groups. Each year a different theme is on the agenda. GCN facilitates GCN Round Tables, where various hot topics are discussed with experts and peers.

Several times a year, we facilitate meetings of General Counsel NL Peer-to-Peer groups in various regions of the Netherlands. Each group is made up of the same General Counsel who discuss work-related dilemmas. These meetings are very popular and well attended. Taking part in these regional meetings is free for GCN members. Together with GCN management you determine which group suits you best.

Usually these meetings take place early in the morning or around lunch time. Best practices are shared with peers in an informal atmosphere. Because participants meet regularly, a bond of trust is created and discussed topics and the mutual relationship are deepened. This way you get very personal feedback on your current challenges and you can instantly offer help to other General Counsel.

Subjects and conversation techniques are tailored to the wishes of the group. GCN management (Petra van Hilst or Michiel van Straaten) organises and moderates each meeting. They ensure that everyone can be addressed and that the meetings continue to provide added value.

At this moment ten (10) different GCN Peer-to-Peer groups are active in regions Amersfoort, Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht and the southern part of the Netherlands. There is also an all English-speaking Peer-to-Peer group for expat General Counsel living and working in the Netherlands. When you register as a member of GCN, you can indicate being interested in participating in a GCN Peer-to-Peer group. Of course, you can also do this at a later time during your membership.

Throughout the year GCN organises General Counsel NL Think-Tanks where General Counsel meet. Actually, ‘Do-Tanks’ would be a better term, because these are interactive sessions where participants share practical experiences about specific current subjects. These meetings last about three hours and offer the possibility to have in-dept discussions within a select group of peers.

Previous themes where: Agile Management, Legal Technology & Operations and Dispute Resolution

Here you will find more information about the current General Counsel NL Think-Tanks.

Many General Counsel are looking for the optimal interpretation of their role. Then, of course, it would be helpful to know how others are organised and how they deal with the challenges of our time.

Not ‘from hearsay’ or ‘that you think so’, but based on representative figures. It describes ‘best practices’ and common denominators. With focus on trends and developments concerning the construction of the legal department, the hiring of externals, salaries and technology.

Every other year GCN publishes the General Counsel NL Benchmark Survey, the only nationwide survey of General Counsel. Here you will find more information about the General Counsel Benchmark Survey.

Every other year the GCN General Counsel Award is granted to a General Counsel who has made a remarkable achievement and is thus an example of the professionalisation of the General Counsel profession. And now, the General Counsel Award has become the most important Award for General Counsel in the Netherlands. Partly because other General Counsel, together with an expert jury from the finalists, choose the winner on the basis of a live presentation during the General Counsel NL Fall Conference. Here you will find more information about the General Counsel Award.

Six times a year GCN publishes the online General Counsel NL Newsletter. This newsletter is full of relevant information from home and abroad, often covering a special theme. GCN-partners provide relevant up-to-date information and you meet a General Counsel in the ‘GC speaks’ section.

After login on the ‘members only’ part of the GCN-website, all previous newsletters can be found.

Every year in December GCN publishes the General Counsel NL Magazine, looking back on the year that is coming to an end and looking ahead to the next community year.

In addition to an engaging editorial, many General Counsel speak and it is full of practical tips & tricks. Here you will find all previous issues of the General Counsel NL Magazine.

The GCN website offers GCN members access to the Members Only environment. Here you will find the following features:

• GCN Agenda (extended version with up to date info).
• GCN Diamond Box
  • A user-friendly page, containing relevant articles, studies and reports about a large number of themes from home and abroad.
• Vacancies for General Counsel.
  • Current vacancies for ultimately responsible in-house lawyers.
• GCN Newsletters
  • An overview of all General Counsel NL Newsletters in recent years.
• GCN Forum
  • An exclusive opportunity for GCN members to interact with other GCN members, start discussions and exchange information, in a secure environment.

• General Counsel Executive Program: the successful, intensive, one-week mini-MBA for General Counsel from all over the world: ‘From an experienced lawyer to a trusted advisor at CEO level’. Here you will find more information about the General Counsel Executive Program.
• EQUAL in LEGAL: the platform for Equality in Legal. Here we share knowledge and best practices around social issues like diversity and inclusion, access to justice, pro-bono/volunteering, sustainability and (future) talent and education. We would like to invite you to sign the EQUAL in LEGAL statement and join in. Here you will find more information about EQUAL in LEGAL. Please join and get inspired!