How do you feel the pandemic has changed the world of work for in-house counsel and the function of the general counsel?

The legal in-house role has been re-shaped due to the Covid-19 pandemic – we entered the decision-making process of our companies with increasing responsibilities to act to respond to unprecedented events without having prior experience. During the last two years, we learnt that remote working has been a successful tool for in-house lawyers. We had to be more productive than in a typical office environment, and the lack of interaction did not have a direct impact on the production and quality of the work. We developed new skills while keeping our remote team close and we refined our decision-making abilities to adapt to a fast-changing environment.

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

The legal team supported a series of complex transactions in greater Europe, addressing the increase demand for localisation requirements and the obligation to always ensure seamless connectivity that has become increasingly important during the pandemic. Obviously, I cannot refer to specific customers or deals, but I can highlight our successful engagement with primary customers in setting up complex contractual structures to better serve the scope under the agreements.

If you had to give advice to an aspiring in-house lawyer or general counsel, what would it be and why?

Firstly, I would recommend an aspiring in-house lawyer or general counsel not imitate our colleagues working in international law firms – the in-house role has gained its peculiarity and professionalism across the years, and there is no reason to make comparisons with private practice lawyers and their workload. In-house lawyers have developed specific skills that differentiate them from any other legal occupation; especially in their proximity to the business and the ability to understand the corporate needs that makes the real difference. The versability of general counsel to read and speak the business language can be considered the added value that makes our role not replaceable and key for the success of our companies.