Welcome to another episode of Coffee Chat with the Crew! Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Rose Kariuki, Legal & Operations Lead at RemotePass. 

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In this episode, Rose shares her journey, what drew her to the world of startups, and how she finds motivation in our mission to innovate and solve real problems. She also gives us an insider’s look at our legal team's unique culture and discusses how the future of work is shaping her role. 

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What initially attracted you to RemotePass, and what has kept you motivated to stay?

I have a deep love for startups that are innovative and focused on solving problems, making the world a better place in both small and big ways. RemotePass is definitely one of those companies. What keeps me motivated to stay? The grit, the commitment to excellence, and the incredible team.

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How would you describe the culture within the RemotePass legal team, and what makes it unique?

Our legal team is small, close-knit, and hardworking. We support one another and prioritize each other's well-being to ensure we perform at our best. While it's not always easy, this focus has helped us navigate tough times together.

What sets us apart is that we don’t just see ourselves as lawyers. Instead, we consider ourselves business partners. When addressing legal challenges, we always look at the bigger picture, considering how our advice impacts the company, clients, partners, and users as a whole.

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What does a typical day look like for you in your role? What are some challenges and highlights you encounter regularly?

A typical day in my role begins with reviewing new emails and tickets submitted to the Legal team. After that, I have an internal alignment meeting with my team before participating in the daily Operations team standup. Following the standup, I prioritize and address action items based on their urgency.

One of the highlights of my day is connecting with different teams. I work with some amazing colleagues, and any opportunity to catch up with them—whether about work or personal matters—is always a highlight.

On the challenge side, striving for excellence often leads to long hours and complex problems that need resolving. These demands can be tough, but it’s comforting to know I’m not alone. I have a super supportive team that is always ready to help, so I never have to struggle in silence, which I truly appreciate.

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How do you envision the future of work evolving in the next five to ten years, particularly from a legal perspective?

The workplace is changing rapidly, and various roles within companies are evolving, including traditional careers like law. It’s essential for us to adapt or risk becoming obsolete. While there is value in established practices, being rigid is not beneficial.

From a legal perspective, particularly for in-house lawyers, I believe our role will shift away from just contract and risk management, as these tasks are increasingly being automated. We will need to focus on providing greater value and impact. This means being involved in the business at every level, from strategy formulation to implementation, making us a core part of the organization rather than just a support function.

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What do you find most rewarding about working in the legal field, particularly in a tech-driven environment like RemotePass?

The most rewarding aspect of working in the legal field, especially in a tech-driven environment like RemotePass, is that I get to do much more than just legal work. I have the opportunity to learn about various functions such as sales, operations, product development, marketing, and finance—essentially every part of the business. It's exciting and fulfilling to see how these functions work together seamlessly to bring a product or service to life.

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What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while working at RemotePass, and how has it shaped your perspective?

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned while working at RemotePass is the importance of having a well-coordinated and synchronized team. Having the right people with the right attitude is crucial; it can truly make or break a company. A product or service is only as good as the people behind it.

I’ve seen how a lack of cross-functional coordination can lead to mistakes that waste time, money, and everyone’s peace of mind. This experience has shaped my perspective to believe that having the right team is more than half the battle won.

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What’s a fun fact about yourself that your colleagues might not know?

I’ve been singing in choirs ever since I was 15-year old. I love the beautiful harmony of voices within choirs. It’s sad that I haven’t sung in a while though. Hopefully I’ll get back to it someday. 

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What legacy do you hope to leave at RemotePass when you look back on your time here?

I hope to leave a legacy at RemotePass that changes people's perceptions of in-house lawyers and our role within the company. We are not just a team that says "no" or monitors everyone to catch mistakes. Instead of being feared and avoided, the Legal team should be seen as the most approachable and supportive group.

Imagine having a go-to resource that helps you avoid legal issues—that’s exactly what we strive to be. Ultimately, we are part of the team, just like everyone else, and our goal is to help all teams and the company thrive without the burden of endless legal worries.

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