IN-HOUSE COUNSEL PROFILE: ROBERT SIKELLIS
CD: What core values and competencies do you believe are essential for building trust with internal stakeholders, outside counsel and the judiciary?
Sikellis: Building trust in these key groups rests on a consistent set of core values and competencies. First and foremost is integrity – being candid, principled and reliable in both advice and advocacy. Credibility is a close second, founded on rigorous preparation, sound judgment and a deep command of the facts and law. Equally important is transparency, as is clarity. Strong communication skills with a clear, concise and tailored message helps align expectations and avoid misunderstandings. Empathy and respect matter as well. Understanding institutional pressures, professional norms and human dynamics fosters productive relationships even in adversarial settings. Finally, accountability and consistency over time are critical. Doing what you say you will do, owning mistakes, and learning from them builds long-term trust and reinforces confidence in both your leadership and your judgment.
CD: How do you stay informed about emerging litigation risks, changes in procedural rules or industry-specific legal developments? Are there any trends you are monitoring closely?
Sikellis: Staying ahead of litigation risk is a structured, ongoing discipline. I maintain close, regular engagement with key internal stakeholders like compliance, regulatory, privacy, pharmacovigilance, human resources and our commercial teams so we surface issues early, before they become disputes. Externally, I rely on a small group of trusted external counsel across key jurisdictions who proactively flag emerging litigation theories, procedural developments and enforcement trends.
Apr-Jun 2026 issue
Novartis