The Crafty Show - Crafty Counsel's in-house legal podcast

Balancing risk, regulation, and reputation: Rob Saunders’ in-house insights

Crafty Counsel Season 7 Episode 5

Rob Saunders’ career has taken him from the broadcast rights of the Olympic Games to the highly regulated world of online gambling. In this episode of the Inside In-House Legal Podcast, Rob speaks with host Toby Hornet about the pivotal lessons he’s learned along the way - from building trust with the business to leading legal teams through complexity.

Rob shares why regulation should be embraced as both the right thing to do and a sustainable business strategy - and why it’s better to have an expressly regulated industry than risk pushing vulnerable people towards black market operators. He also reflects on the role of in-house lawyers as more than just legal advisors, but as strategic leaders influencing reputation, ethics, and long-term decision-making.

This wide-ranging conversation covers resilience, leadership, and the responsibility lawyers carry in shaping how companies act. Whether you’re early in your in-house journey or leading at the top, Rob’s story is full of practical takeaways and thought-provoking insights.