JANET MCCARTHY IS AN EXPERIENCED GENERAL COUNSEL. SHE HAS worked for global corporations in London, New York, Tokyo, Zurich and Sydney and, since January 2016, has served as the global general counsel for the Santa Fe Group.

Headquartered in London, the Santa Fe Group is a global leader in international mobility and shipping services. The company is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen. It has subsidiaries in 45 countries and more than 3,000 employees globally. McCarthy is admitted to practice as an attorney in New York, a solicitor in New South Wales, Australia, and a barrister and solicitor to the High Court and Federal Court of Australia.

LEGAL TEAM: Located in the company's London headquarters, the Santa Fe Group's legal team consists of two Australian lawyers—McCarthy and Belinda Coombs-Tucker. "I tend to joke that it only takes a pair of Aussie ladies to manage the vast and diverse issues of our global company," McCarthy says.

OUTSIDE COUNSEL: As McCarthy notes, "Finding skilled and trusted counsel with whom you have the right chemistry for a successful working relationship is a challenge. It is always about the person, less [about] the firm."

She says the following counsel have supported her over the years through her roles around the world: Christopher Rosekrans, counsel with Debevoise & Plimpton, structured finance; Jeremy Kutner, partner in Shearman & Sterling, mergers and acquisitions; Darien Leung, partner in Torys, commercial finance; and Arthur Artinian, partner in K&L Gates, IT and brand protection.

DAILY DUTIES: McCarthy says her duties involve exactly what the title says—general (everything) counsel (advice).

"No day is ever the same," she says. But the two tasks that are a given, McCarthy says, are "first, to disable any bombs sitting in my inbox and assign priorities to any burning fires. Next, to ensure my team is clear on their priorities and set up for success."

ROUTE TO THE TOP: McCarthy says, "Listening to my mum! Specifically, her advice—when opportunity knocks, answer."

She received her law degree from The Australian National University, graduating with honors. Beginning in 2004, McCarthy was an attorney in the commercial litigation and corporate practice groups at Blake Dawson Waldron, now known as Ashurst. She worked for the firm for four years.

In 2008, McCarthy joined Mitsui & Co. Precious Metals Inc. She served as the company's general counsel, working there for more than four years. She joined Metalor Technologies SA in November 2012 and served as its group general counsel.

PERSONAL: McCarthy says, "My personal life is filled with wonderful family and friends, plenty of food and travel, sports to counter the food and keep energized. Plus chocolate. A lot of chocolate."

LAST BOOK SHE READ: The last book McCarthy read was "Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow" by Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari.

WHAT KEEPS HER UP AT NIGHT: McCarthy says nothing keeps her up at night. "Perspective ensures this," she says. "I need to keep a clear and focused mind to perform at my peak."

PRIORITIES: McCarthy lists her priorities as health and happiness.

Asked what she likes the most about her job, McCarthy says, "It is the comedy, drama, suspense and thriller movie all rolled into one—but without the predictable plot."