How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

The legal department is a business partner that works closely with the business. A strong connection and understanding of business needs is crucial. Our approach is to support the organisation in achieving its goals while ensuring full compliance, acting as an enabler. The primary aim is to protect and maximise value by applying Shell’s business principles and maintaining a focus on compliance. 

What are the main cases or transactions that you have been involved in recently?

We have been involved in several transactions, including M&A deals in the renewable sector and downstream business, as well as SPAs, PPAs, distribution agreements, and transportation agreements. Additionally, we assist the business in all areas, covering corporate activities such as company secretarial duties, ethics and compliance, labour matters, governance, litigation, authorisation processes, and commercial, civil, and administrative matters, along with environmental procedures. 

How have you integrated technology into your legal processes, and what impact has this had on efficiency and compliance?  

Technology is already an important ally for in-house lawyers, and its role is set to grow even more in the near future. IT tools, such as record data management, AI, databases, digital libraries, online training and assessments, alongside efforts to simplify and streamline processes by creating standard templates and clauses where possible, are becoming essential. Lawyers need to stay on top of these tools and be able to use and leverage them to the fullest. Technology is now a key component of a lawyer’s skill set. 

What do you see as the major legal challenges for businesses in Italy over the next five years, and how are you preparing to address them?

Energy transition is one of the key challenges we face. Our organisation has a clear strategy and targets to achieve, and Shell Legal plays an important role by analysing emerging legal trends, regulations, and case law, and advising the business accordingly. It is essential to remain focused and up-to-date on the evolution and rapid changes in the external environment, and to effectively translate these developments into actionable insights for the organisation.