In the race for innovation, businesses typically invest in tech, marketing and operations. Yet, one of the most powerful and underutilized growth levers sits quietly in the background: your legal strategy.

Traditionally seen as a cost center or defensive function, legal is rarely viewed as a driver of revenue or innovation. But in today's complex regulatory environment, companies that embed legal thinking into their core strategy gain a clear competitive edge — protecting intellectual property, navigating emerging markets and building reputations grounded in trust and compliance.

Here's how to turn legal into a growth engine — and why forward-thinking leaders are doing it now.

Related: Online Legal Tools Save Time and Money. But They Aren't Lawyers.

Case in point: Tesla doesn't just innovate in automotive tech — it aggressively protects its IP and uses litigation strategically. By securing patents early and publicly sharing some, Tesla built a moat and a brand known for cutting-edge transparency.

Too often, businesses file patents only after launching a product, leaving themselves vulnerable. Instead, they should involve legal counsel during R&D to ensure patentability, avoid infringement and time filings to maximize defensibility. Proactive legal teams also help structure licensing deals or spin-offs that generate new revenue streams.

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