Teams of one general and one IP attorney to serve business units

LANXESS, a $2 billion spin off from Bayer Chemicals Corp., has four general commercial lawyers and three IP attorneys. The General Counsel, Marcy Tenaglia, has set up the law department of the specialty chemicals business in an unusual teaming structure. The arrangement divides the 15 business units and 8 service functions of LANXESS among teams consisting of one general commercial and one IP attorney. The two attorneys handle every matter as a collective, as if they were twin general counsel for the unit, according to GC Mid Atlantic, Sept. 2006 at 9.

In addition to this structural assignment, the law department has an attorney who is an expert in procurement as well as others who handle health safety and environment, a specialized federal act that pertains particularly to the company, and trademarks.