In this Q&A with The Texas Lawbook, Melanie Benefield discusses the traits she seeks in outside counsel, what outside counsel need to know when working with her and more.
Texas Lawbook: What has been your best day at Enerflex?
Melanie Benefield: My best day at the company was Dec. 31, 2025. Closing the final deal of the year was incredibly meaningful, but what made that day so special was the chance to pause and reflect on everything the team had accomplished together over the course of a record-setting year.
A large part of my role is supporting the commercial team in closing deals while helping the company manage risk thoughtfully and effectively — so there was a deep sense of pride and accomplishment in ending the year knowing the team had achieved approximately $1.2 billion in bookings. It was one of those rare moments when you can step back and see how all of the long days, hard conversations, negotiations, problem-solving and collaboration added up to something truly significant.
What made that day especially rewarding was knowing how much work had gone into that success behind the scenes. Throughout the year, I had the opportunity to strengthen the company’s commercial and legal position across customer projects, lead complex equipment supply negotiations and work through challenging issues with counterparties in a way that protected the company while still helping the business move forward. I also had the chance to partner closely with the business to develop a first-of-its-kind commercial model with a strategic customer — something that required creativity, trust and a shared commitment to finding the right path forward.
At the same time, I was helping the company prepare for tariff impacts, working with customers, vendors and internal stakeholders on project-specific strategies, while also supporting the management of litigation matters with disciplined oversight and quarterly reporting. None of those efforts happen in isolation, which is part of what made that day feel so meaningful. It was a reminder that success at a company is never about one person or one deal — it is about the collective effort of people across teams working toward the same goal.
What I remember most about that day is the feeling of gratitude. Gratitude for the trust I have been given, for the colleagues I have the privilege to work alongside and for the opportunity to contribute in a way that helps the business grow and succeed. Dec. 31, 2025, stands out to me not simply because we closed the last deal of the year, but because it reflected the shared effort, resilience and commitment of so many people, and I felt proud to have played a part in that story.
Lawbook: What advice do you give lawyers considering going in-house?
Benefield: My advice to lawyers considering an in-house role is to invest time in truly learning the business and listening to the people who operate it every day. Building strong relationships rooted in trust is essential, because the more you listen to and learn from the people closest to the work, the better you will understand the company’s goals, challenges and practical realities. That perspective enables you to move beyond issue-spotting and provide advice that is precise, pragmatic and focused on managing the risks that actually matter.
Lawbook: What are the factors you consider when deciding about hiring outside counsel?
Benefield: When deciding whether to hire outside counsel, I usually look at a few factors: the complexity of the issue, the level of risk to the company, the need for specialized expertise, bandwidth on the internal team and the importance of independent judgment. If a matter involves a niche area of law, significant exposure, a high-stakes dispute or requires jurisdiction-specific advice, outside counsel can add real value. I also consider efficiency and cost — whether the work is something that can be handled effectively in-house or whether engaging outside counsel will ultimately help move the matter faster and with greater precision. At the end of the day, the decision is about using the right resource for the right problem in a way that best supports the business.
Lawbook: What does outside counsel need to know about you?
Benefield: Outside counsel should know that I value trusted partners who are practical, responsive and invested in understanding our business. I appreciate outside counsel who are collaborative, efficient and focused on the issues that truly matter. I also value outside counsel who bring insight and perspective that help me continue learning — whether through strategy discussions, industry developments or lessons drawn from their broader experience.
For me, the strongest relationships are built on trust, credibility and a shared commitment to helping the business move forward successfully. In our litigation matters, we have been fortunate to partner with talented and highly professional lawyers at AZA, Marshall Dennehey, Frost Brown Todd, Bain & Barkley and Norton Rose Fulbright. Their professionalism, strategic thinking and commitment to developing a deep understanding of complex technical matters have truly made a difference. I have learned a great deal through my interactions with attorneys from these firms, and I value those relationships not only for the results they help achieve, but also for the perspective and professional growth they have provided.
Lawbook: How is AI impacting your work?
Benefield: AI is already shaping the way I work and the way legal teams can support the business more effectively. I believe there is real truth in the idea that AI will not take your job, but someone who knows how to use it well may. In 2025, I served on an AI committee tasked with evaluating legal AI systems that could enhance our operations. Through that work, I helped modernize legal and commercial processes by assessing technology platforms and helping select a solution aligned with the company’s efficiency and growth objectives. The initiative was focused on streamlining workflows, improving collaboration between legal and supply chain, and building a stronger foundation for scale. It has the potential to make routine work more efficient, allowing lawyers to focus more time on judgment, strategy and risk management. I also recognize that responsible use of AI requires continual learning, discipline and sound judgment, and I am committed to developing that proficiency in a thoughtful and responsible way.
Lawbook: How is AI impacting your work and relationship with outside counsel?
Benefield: As in-house teams become more sophisticated in using AI, there is increasing expectation that outside counsel will use AI thoughtfully and responsibly to improve efficiency, responsiveness and value. At the same time, it makes judgment, experience and trusted advice even more important. I also value outside counsel partners who continue to offer CLEs and practical discussions about what they are learning about AI and how they are applying it.
Lawbook: What am I not asking that I should be asking?
Benefield: One question that may be worth asking is: Who helped carry me to this point? When I think about my journey, I do not think first about titles, milestones or accomplishments. I think about people. I think about my family, who gave me the values and work ethic that shaped who I am long before I understood where life would take me. I think about my partner, whose love, patience, encouragement and steady presence have been a source of strength through every challenge and every opportunity. I think about the mentors who believed in me, invested in me and helped me see possibilities in myself that I may not have fully seen on my own.
I think about my teammates and colleagues, who have taught me so much through their trust, their partnership and their willingness to share what they know. I think about the external counsel I have had the privilege to work with, whose example has deepened my own understanding of professionalism, judgment, and service. Each of these people has left a mark on me.
So much of any success I have had belongs, in part, to them. Their belief in me, their guidance, and their generosity helped shape not only my career, but also the person I have become. If I were asking one more question, it would be about them, because their influence is one of the most important parts of my story.
Click here to read the Lawbook profile of Melanie Benefield.