Member in the Spotlight allows us to get up-close and personal with some of our ACC Australia members. This week we are shining the spotlight on Virna Trout, Head of Legal for the Australia/Asia Region at FLSmidth, President of the Queensland Committee and a member of the 2022 National Conference Programming Committee.
Tell us about your current role.
I’m Head of Legal for the Australia/Asia Region at FLSmidth. FLSmidth is a Danish listed company that operates worldwide and supplies technology, process knowledge, fixed plant equipment and services to the cement and mining industries. I manage a small, (but mighty), legal team and consider Legal’s key role is to be a risk mitigator to the business. Legal protects FLSmidth’s interests and competitive advantage by advancing its strategic direction; managing current, future and emerging risks and providing timely and proactive legal support for all commercial projects.
I am also the President of the Queensland Chapter of ACC Australia, a member of the Board of Directors of ACC Australia and a member of the National Conference Programming Committee. I can’t wait to welcome you all to our awesome in-person conference, in my hometown in November.
What do you believe is the most important skill an In-house lawyer needs?
A natural curiosity – to mitigate risk you need to ask lots of questions and be prepared to challenge the business.
What led you to pursue an In-house legal role?
I qualified as a solicitor in late 1994 and moved to Mt Isa with my soon to be husband, who was also commencing his career as a Mining Engineer. I expected to continue to work for a law firm in Mt Isa, but instead the opportunity to move into an in-house role with Mount Isa Mines Limited (now Glencore) arose. I took this role and have never looked back! I have worked as in-house counsel for my entire professional career, inter-dispersed with some time out of the workforce having three children, moving around four states and one international placement. I am passionate about the resources sector and working to support a business – I have found my niche.
What advice would you offer to In-house counsel in building relationships with their organisations?
The best way to build relationships with the business is to truly learn the business – ask your colleagues to outline their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. They are usually very knowledgeable about their area of responsibility and will really appreciate your interest. Also be genuine – if you don’t know the answer to the question, that’s ok. Go find out. The business doesn’t expect you to be perfect (and neither should you).
What is the one thing a law degree doesn’t teach you about being an In-house lawyer?
How to truly negotiate a contract – we only learnt the law and how to interpret and draft the contracts.
What are the biggest changes you’ve witnessed across the legal sector since you joined the profession?
IT – when I started, I dictated correspondence and we used fax machines!! Now we are using AI to review contracts.
Finish this sentence… If I wasn’t a lawyer I’d be…
A musical theatre performer. Singing is my other passion.
I like being a part of the ACC Australia community because…
I truly believe in the ACC Australia value proposition – “by In-house, for In-house”. Networking with like minded colleagues and having access to resources specific to issues faced by in-house lawyers has been invaluable for my personal and professional career development. This is why I joined the Queensland Committee and I would encourage all of you to fully engage with the ACC Australia community by attending social events, CPD sessions, National Conference or joining Special Interest Groups or Committees where possible.