Event Report

On Tuesday, September 24th, 2024, The Legal 500 hosted the Diversity and Inclusion Forum Switzerland 2024 in Zürich, in partnership with Schellenberg Wittmer.

The agenda included two engaging sessions focused on diversity and inclusion strategies and the transformative impact of age and background in shaping the legal teams of the future. The event fostered an informal atmosphere and encouraged active participation, allowing attendees to share their insights and questions, which enriched the discussions.

Sara Maggi, The Legal 500’s editorial lead for the Forum, kicked off the event with a welcome address, followed by Philippe Bärtsch, managing partner at Schellenberg Wittmer, who set the right tone for the day’s proceedings.

The first session, titled “unlocking talent and innovation through diversity and inclusion: strategies and best practices in legal departments”, was moderated by Anya George, partner at Schellenberg Wittmer. Speakers included: Markus Lang, general counsel, Europe West, at EY; Valérie Collaudin, general counsel and head of sustainability, at Gurit; Aziz Aidaros, vice president and associate general counsel, Europe, at Philip Morris International; and Nina Cronstedt, group chief legal and compliance officer, at Verisure. This session provided a platform for sharing innovative strategies and best practices that promote diversity and inclusion, drawing on real-world examples that have successfully positioned legal teams for future success.

The second session, “bridging generations and cultures: the power of age and background in legal teams of the future”, was moderated by George Ayoub, partner at Schellenberg Wittmer who was joined by Cornelis (Kees) Van Ophem, executive vice president and global general counsel, at Fresenius Medical Care; Sarah Chevalley, associate general counsel, at Lonza; Cyrill Bachmann, general counsel and secretary to the board of directors, at AMEOS Gruppe; and Marcella De Luca, senior counsel, at Deutsche Bank. The panel discussed how diverse perspectives—including gender, upbringing, culture, and age—enhance collaboration within legal departments, highlighting the value of these differences in creating effective teams.

Following the insightful sessions, attendees enjoyed a reception of drinks and canapés, providing an excellent opportunity for networking and further discussion. The Legal 500 was delighted to collaborate with Schellenberg Wittmer once again to bring this successful event to life and looks forward to returning to Switzerland soon.

In association with...