By Dr Than Lwin Tun
Legal Advocacy Training is a crucial wing for developing organizational effectiveness in a Legal Perspective. At the moment, with the guidance of the Chairman of the State Administration Council and the supervision of the Minister for Legal Affairs, the Ministry of Legal Affairs (MOLA) has conducted three Legal Advocacy Training courses. We (37 trainees from different ministries) attended Legal Advocacy Training No 3 from 8 June 2023 to 19 August 2023 at MOLA.
Legal Advocacy Training is motivated by Organizational Development in Legal Perspective, which involves shifting the focus from representing clients in legal disputes to ensuring the legal aspects of an organization’s operations are optimized and aligned with its goals. The following points in this training are essential for organizational development: –
To understand the organization’s Legal Needs: Before you can enhance organizational effectiveness from a legal perspective, you must thoroughly understand the specific legal needs and challenges of the organization. This could include compliance with industry regulations, contract management, intellectual property protection, employment law, and more.
Assessing current Legal Framework: To evaluate the organization’s current legal framework, including contracts, policies, procedures, and compliance programmes. Identify areas where improvements or updates are necessary to enhance legal effectiveness.
Assessment of Legal Risk: To conduct a comprehensive legal risk assessment to identify potential legal risks and liabilities that the organization might face. This involves analyzing contracts, reviewing compliance with laws and regulations, and assessing the legal health of the organization.
Legal Compliance: To ensure that the organization is fully compliant with all applicable laws and regulations. Develop and implement compliance programmes, policies, and procedures to mitigate legal risks and liabilities.
Contract Management: If applicable, take responsibility for managing contracts within the organization. Ensure that contracts are well-drafted, reviewed, and executed in a way that protects the organization’s interests and minimizes legal exposure.
Policy Development and Review: To work on developing and periodically reviewing organizational policies and procedures to align with legal requirements and best practices. Ensure that policies are communicated effectively throughout the organization.
Conflict Resolution and Intervention: To utilize legal skills in conflict resolution and intervention within the organization. Help resolve disputes and conflicts in a manner that minimizes the risk of legal action.
Data Privacy and Security: Increasing importance of data privacy, focus on implementing and maintaining robust data protection measures to safeguard sensitive information and ensure compliance with data privacy laws.
Litigation Avoidance: To develop strategies and practices aimed at preventing legal disputes and litigation. This could involve creating processes for early issue identification and resolution.
Legal Budgeting and Cost Control: To manage the legal budget effectively, ensuring that legal expenditures are in line with the organization’s financial goals and priorities. Explore cost-effective ways to handle legal matters, such as alternative dispute resolution methods.
Communication and Collaboration: To foster effective communication and collaboration between legal and non-legal departments. Ensure that legal insights are integrated into decision-making processes across the organization.
Performance Metrics: To establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of your legal contributions to the organization. These KPIs could include reduced legal risks, cost savings, improved compliance rates, and successful dispute resolution.
Continuous Learning: To stay updated on legal developments relevant to the organization’s industry and operations. Continuously adapt your legal strategies and practices to align with changing legal requirements and organizational needs.
Evaluate and Adjust: To evaluate regularly the impact of your legal initiatives on the organization’s effectiveness and adjust your strategies as needed to achieve better results.
In addition, these Legal Advocacy Training courses are very effective and motivated for organizational development. We get innovative ideas and creative thinking from these kinds of training and consider a proactive approach to identify and address legal issues, minimize risks, and align legal efforts with the organization’s overall objectives. It’s a multifaceted role that combines legal knowledge with a deep understanding of the organization’s goals and operational challenges.
