In-house lawyers- why do I care?

[Anonymous]

I am an in-house lawyer. I’m feeling a certain type of way about being dropped from a reoccurring sales forecast meeting. I found out this also happened to my predecessor. Do I say something or just let it go? I didn’t contribute during the call but it was helpful for me to hear what was going on, especially about new initiatives that legal hadn’t heard about but should be involved in. I hate that I am having any type of internal reaction to this.

[Anonymous]

Maybe since you don't participate they thought they were doing you a favor?

[Anonymous]

Well, their loss. I guess I’ll just have to wait until ish hits the fan to figure out what’s going on. It was a boring call so it is a relief to no longer have to attend.

[Anonymous]

"Did you purposefully omit me from these invitations or did you just figure you'd spare me the extra meeting? I know I rarely contribute but I have found these calls helpful to prepare for what is coming down the business pipeline. Let me know if there is an issue if I join in listening-only mode going forward."

You care because (1) someone is being stupid by not including you on purpose OR (2) someone is being stupid but not realizing you're not included and (3) it'll take longer to clean the s up if you're not involved at the outset.

[Anonymous]

It may be that sales doesn't feel comfortable to speak freely if you're on the call. The decision to exclude you was likely made by the Sales VP running the call. I'd have a sit down with that VP and discuss your need to be on the call. Your primary justification should be that you can't assure that their deals will close if you're excluded because you won't be able to: (1) prioritize contract terms negotiations; and (2) get stakeholder timely input from other groups who need to approve.

Set up the meeting with the Sales VP, but also chat with your GC before then.

[Anonymous]

If they dropped your predecessor, it doesn't really make sense that they would even start you in on the calls if they didn’t want an in-house lawyer there. Is there something they were hoping you would do during the calls, that your predecessor failed on, but they were giving you a chance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Did you purposefully omit me from these invitations or did you just figure you'd spare me the extra meeting? I know I rarely contribute but I have found these calls helpful to prepare for what is coming down the business pipeline. Let me know if there is an issue if I join in listening-only mode going forward."

You care because (1) someone is being stupid by not including you on purpose OR (2) someone is being stupid but not realizing you're not included and (3) it'll take longer to clean the s up if you're not involved at the outset.

I agree with telling them that it helps you to plan. But I actively participate in the calls. I call them out if they are starting discussions without a CDA, or if they mention having terms in hand that I haven't seen yet. After a few comments they will start looping you into the discussion.

[Anonymous]

As for why you care, any chance you wish it had been communicated more respectfully? -- Hello _, thank you for your regular attendance on our calls, for the time being we are going to continue the calls without legal etc

Seems this touched on anxiety or insecurity and you need to clarify or let it go.

The meetings can be team building, did you maybe like that part of it too?

[Anonymous]

If you not being on the call creates risk for the company, in your judgment, then of course say something. That's your job.

[Anonymous]

Sales people don’t want an attorney on the call because contracts with customers could be on the horizon. If it’s purely sales forecasting you could be dead weight. But, very often sales people get far along in the negotiating process before they seek counsel and it’s often too late. If you are not the GC I’d express my concern to the GC about possible risk.