47 In this US-Israel Legal Review, we speak with three leading in-house voices shaping the legal function in Israel today: Hila Hubsch (Head of Corporate, External and Legal Affairs at Microsoft Israel), Amir Markovits (Head of Legal, Venn City), and Noa Rosenberg-Segalovitz (CHRO & CLO, Lightricks). They share candid perspectives on the pressures facing modern GCs, from AI governance and data regulation to scaling global businesses from Israel. We also spoke with Nira Poran, Executive Director at ACC Israel, whose insights place these conversations in a wider context, explaining why the GC role in Israel has become increasingly strategic and influential within companies and across the broader business ecosystem What explains the elevated position of the legal function in Israel, and how does it shape the way Israeli GCs work with external law firms? Nira: Several factors explain the central role of the legal function in Israeli companies. Israel operates in a highly regulated environment, and CEOs want confidence that their organizations comply fully with evolving rules and standards. This places the general counsel close to senior management and often at the center of strategic decision-making. Also, ACC is another factor. We put so much focus on the legal, that companies are starting to understand the role of the GC in a deeper way. Today, they have a far deeper appreciation of what the GC contributes. In the past, the GC might only answer discrete legal questions. Today, they are much more knowledgeable, and the CEOs like to have someone close who has or can suggest the answers or the appropriate course of action. Israel’s corporate landscape also influences this dynamic. Many companies remain smaller than their global counterparts, which means senior executives work closely together. In that environment, CEOs value a GC who can quickly analyze an issue, suggest solutions, and guide the company through complex regulatory terrain. What kind of support do Israeli companies and GCs seek from international law firms in cross-border matters Nira: Israeli companies often operate globally, so their legal teams frequently need guidance on regulatory frameworks outside Israel. Employment and labor law represents one of the most common areas where Israeli GCs rely on international firms. Companies with operations in Europe, the UK, the United States, and Far East need to understand local labor rules, employee rights, and compliance obligations in each jurisdiction. Data protection and privacy regulation create another major area of demand. Regulatory regimes vary significantly between countries and even between states within the US. Israeli companies must ensure that their handling of employee data, monitoring practices, and broader data governance comply with these rules. Much of the global privacy framework now takes shape in jurisdictions such as California, particularly in cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles where technology companies operate at scale. Israeli GCs therefore look to international counsel to interpret these developments and translate them into practical compliance strategies for companies operating across multiple territories. What makes one international law firm stand out from another for Israeli clients? Nira: Responsiveness and accessibility matter enormously. Israeli business culture places great value on immediacy. Many GCs expect quick answers and direct US-ISRAEL LEGAL REVIEW GC VIRTUAL SUMMIT
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