In-House Counsel as Ethical Leaders

Marion Hemphill, General Counsel , Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Australia

Ethical practices, and the need for directors and executives to consider more than a business’ bottom line when making decisions, has been a popular conversation of late. Community expectations of ethical behaviour by businesses and organisations can be seen in the growth of companies introducing Corporate Social Responsibility measures and ethical investment portfolios. Legislators have sought to introduce ethical standards in circumstances where market forces have not been sufficient to drive ethical behaviour, for example legislation regarding modern slavery, whistle blower protections and data privacy. We are also witnessing significant changes in attitudes to the role of ethics in business in Australia as a result of the recent reports into the Australian financial sector.

General Counsel and Chief Privacy Oficer to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. Board member of Melbourne City Mission. Previously worked as a corporate lawyer in large firms in Australia, London and New Zealand. Finalist - Lawyers Weekly Corporate Counsel Awards Not for Profit Lawyer of the Year.

The Blood Service is the provider of Australia’s blood supply. It collects, processes and dispatches millions of blood products to improve the lives of Australian patients. The Blood Service provides transplanation and biological products for world-leading health outcomes.