Mathilde Mason has built the legal function at Japan Tobacco International (JTI) France from scratch since joining in 2011: ‘When I started there was no legal function at all, and the previous process involved calling on an ad hoc basis for lawyers. There is no comparison to the level of expertise and diversity of topics we have now, but the sophistication of the regulations and challenges we are facing is far greater’.

Indeed, like other legal counsel who operate in the tobacco sector in France, Mason is required to deal with a daunting set of regulatory requirements that severely limit how far the company is permitted to communicate with, and commercialise its products to, its potential customers. This ‘very complex system’ of regulation, systematically under judicial and media spotlight – up to and including the company only being allowed to change the price of its tobacco products on specific dates sanctioned by governing bodies, and only selling products through a state-owned monopolistic retail system – means the ‘legal function is very involved’ in all aspects of company operations, perhaps more so than many in-house legal teams are at other companies.

By all accounts, Mason has risen to this demanding set of responsibilities impeccably, and she is clear that her work with JTI has ‘moulded’ her too. ‘My time at JTI has helped me to become an influencing business partner, and gain a better understanding of the business and how the legal function can help to shape and evolve it’, she explains. ‘Also, working under a high level of pressure and demonstrating agility has been key. Given the high level of regulation in the sector, you have to continue the business’ work without always knowing the level of risk’; dealing with this has meant Mason’s skills have been intensely honed, making her an excellent in-house counsel.

She is keen to impart her wisdom to other individuals around her, both in the legal department and elsewhere in the business. ‘I strive to bring more maturity and a greater legal culture to the business via training and explanation of why legal advice is needed’, she says. ‘It is a difficult industry, after all, so this is important to the success of the business’.