Team size: Three

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

The greatest change to the role of general counsel during the pandemic is that it has progressed to include strategical features. Quick decision-making was required in a continuously changing environment at the time. Lawyers were expected to quickly understand the context and new guidance before decisions could be made.

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

Recently, my team has been involved in several M&A operations. Moreover, the implementation and organisation of the continually changing Covid-19 regulations was an activity that required a lot of effort from the team.

What do you feel are the pros and cons of an in-house legal role compared to a private practice one?

There are several pros pursuing an in-house legal career – the feeling of being part of a group and the decision-making process, dealing with a wide range of people from different backgrounds rather than just being around lawyers in a private practice setting. The main cons (at least in Italy), is that lawyers that move in-house, are obliged to withdraw their names from the bar and they can no longer plead before the court.