What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

Most matters are confidential so I will not provide details on them. Generally, we assist on all legal aspects of our operations in France, except tax, real estate and insurance. We advise on M&A, strategic partnership and key industrial projects, with a focus on supporting our group’s decarbonisation objectives. We are also very active in labour law and EHS. We also support our businesses in dealing with commercial and industrial litigation and with the legal aspects of their dealings with public authorities. On the competition law front, we advise on all aspects (merger control, state aid, prohibition of anticompetitive behaviour) for the group, and also handle FDI filings and compliance with the EU FSR.

What are some of your main tips for dealing with a crisis?

Put together a multifunctional team (but with limited number of people), including a person with decision making authority (CEO), communication, public affairs, subject matter experts, HR, legal, outside counsel when necessary. Make sure all internal and external communications are reviewed by legal, set up an action plan with timeline and owner and ensure progress monitoring with regular calls and update meetings. Document actions taken and keep records, and engage with both internal and external stakeholders as necessary.

How do you suggest in-house lawyers build strong relationships with business partners?

Understand the business to be an effective problem solver: by gaining a deep understanding of the business, its operations; its challenges, its objectives, and its people, in-house lawyers can tailor their legal advice to the actual needs of the business stakeholders and collaborate on risk management strategies. In-house lawyers should not be shy to ask questions. 

Lawyers should regularly engage with business partners, not just when legal issues arise. This can be achieved through regular meetings, training, awareness sessions, updates on legal developments or interesting precedents, etc. It is important to empower business stakeholders with legal knowledge relevant to their roles. 

Ask for feedback, and avoid legal terminology when you can express the legal advice in plain, business English.