About

Since joining Ascom in 2011 as general counsel, Judith has introduced a successful compliance strategy which includes ‘a new code of conduct, regular compliance and negotiation trainings, compliance audits and a whistleblower hotline’. She has also had an integral role in the divestment of Ascom’s security communication division in five separate deals and three countries ‘in particular the carve-out of one division into five businesses and the related transition services agreements’. She explains that one of the highlights of her in-house career is the legal integration of the company’s acquisition in the US, Australia and Malaysia. For Judith, the transition from senior associate to in-house counsel has been thoroughly rewarding, she cites that one of the aspects of the role she enjoys the most is ‘to be close to the business and have a direct impact on the course of the business’. She also enjoys the diversity within the company and says she finds it fulfilling to be ‘responsible for the legal matters of a publicly listed company in an international environment. This results in very interesting but also challenging duties and tasks, including the interaction with people on different levels and types’. When asked about the work of external counsel, she says that the cooperation with outside counsel works ‘very well’. She goes on to say that ‘they are responsive and provide knowledgeable input. In some countries, the cost consciousness of outside counsel can still be improved. This is not the case for Swiss law firms, they act very cost-consciously in general’.