Page 103 - NYLJ Professional Excellence 2021

IN-HOUSE IMPACT AWARD

revisions, and then worked to submit While Verizon drives innovation by pro- By fully adopting the idea that anyone
the required state or local attestations. viding the networks and platforms that in our organization can lead, we empow-
As the consumer business looks towards enable technology, we have also adopted er both our team members and our cli-
ways to better serve customers in the a company-wide belief that innovation ents to make a real impact. As a result,
future, many of the technologies, pro- means evolving the ways we work. We Verizon Consumer Group Legal team
cesses, and ways of working developed have evolved how we manage our teams, members have embraced innovation,
will be leveraged to help our clients how we collaborate with our peers, and made incremental and holistic process
meet the customer when, where, and how we lead. Based on our experiences improvements that help provide infor-
how they want to be met. this past year, to actively search for and mation and advice to clients quickly or
present opportunities to staff members efficiently, and led in organizing social
What is your best advice for in-house or attorneys based on their strengths justice and pro bono efforts for the team,
lawyers trying to make an impact, with and interests has made a significant the department, and the company as a
their corporate clients and beyond? impact on how we work. whole.

Hylan Fenster

SENIOR MANAGING COUNSEL
AT ADOBE

Q&A What are some of your
most satisfying successes
of the past year and why? This past
year, my team helped close billions of
dollars in deals for Adobe; hundreds
of transactions were over a million
dollars. I am very proud to work with
intelligent, diligent and creative trans-
actional attorneys and colleagues who
want to do their best for Adobe and
improve the customer experience for
our clients. In addition, while manag-
ing my team of attorneys, I have also
provided leadership and guidance to my
colleagues, while also mentoring other
attorneys within Adobe. I have helped
his team navigate a lot of uncertainty
due to COVID-19 and promoted diversity
in our hiring practices.
I also recently led an impactful and Adobe’s core values of being Genuine, own unique brand and be known for
creative rebuild of the Sales and Product Innovative, Involved and Exceptional are something within the organization.
Legal teams’ Charter, which identifies the values that I strive to attain every day, Whether it’s a partner to the business,
processes and procedures of working and I feel that my successes over the expertise in privacy or security or lead-
together in a more cohesive and innova- past year have been more effective when ing a major initiative, attorneys can
tive way than in the past. The program- I keep those core values in mind. make impactful impressions that are
ming includes maintenance of team meet- powerful and help that attorney grow
ings, shadow programming, team deal What is your best advice for in-house as well as the organization. Your corpo-
sharing, enhanced product learnings and lawyers trying to make an impact, rate clients and other will associate you
more. This will lead to better product and with their corporate clients and as the “go-to” person for that subject,
deal knowledge across the globe within beyond? Build your brand. I would which can open up opportunities or sim-
Adobe and involves 100+ attorneys. advise in-house lawyers to build their ply help you build your relationships.

Photos: Ryland West/ALM | October 2021 101