Team size: Seven

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

The most important transaction was Ceconomy’s acquisition of the minority stake in Media-Saturn-Holding from the Kellerhals family, a very complex and lengthy transaction. With this transaction, a shareholder dispute that had lasted for years and had in part been fought out in public was settled. Also very significant was the legal advice on external financing, such as the conclusion of a loan agreement with KfW and its replacement by ESG syndicated financing. Also worth mentioning are the ongoing conduct of the general meetings, the management of the corporate office and tasks relating to the company’s obligations under capital market law.

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

The pandemic has changed the world of work not only for in-house counsel, including general counsel, but for all employees in the company and thus also the way they work together. This has been compounded by difficult macroeconomic conditions. One major change is the still sometimes greatly increased activity in the home office. While this does not fundamentally lead to lower productivity, it is challenging. A good balance should be struck here between presence in the office and activity in the home office. It is important and challenging to ensure the exchange of communication and the flow of information. Interpersonal communication should not be neglected either. In addition, there is the management of additional challenges, for example due to the difficult framework conditions.

How much influence do you, as a general counsel, have on the diversity and inclusion policies of your organisation?

The company is a trading company for consumer electronics that is active in many countries and consists of many companies and therefore has a very complex structure. Accordingly, the influence as general counsel on the diversity and inclusion policy is limited. However, the management of the corporate office ensures compliance with the relevant obligations and exerts influence within this framework.