What are the most significant cases or transactions you and your team have been involved in?

The legal department is involved in the most relevant decisions of the company. Not only is our participation needed for the evaluation of business opportunities and the management of existing business relations, but we are also consulted for solutions to problems arising from our activities, and the best ways to avoid those problems.

We have been working hard on competition law related issues, negotiations with new and existing partners and implementing – with our colleagues from different areas of the business – new and demanding legislation that applies to our business.

As we live in a fast-paced world today, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?

Like all other areas of the company, we have to be able to adapt to change, embrace it and evolve with it. We need to be flexible, objective, technically strongly prepared, and – most importantly, be seen as part of a team, able to overcome all obstacles related to the implementation of new needs and strategies. We need to be actively heard, because change is often not easily well received. It is therefore also important to know how to communicate in order to be effective and useful.

We are also implementing digitally driven solutions to allow us to answer to all our important challenges more efficiently.

How do you suggest in-house lawyers build strong relationships with business partners?

With commitment, dedication, rigor, reliability, seriousness.

The reputation and success of a company is built and maintained by trust – this is recognised by our business parties. Hence, all areas, and all members of our big team, are vital to the construction of that trust and deserve the same attention of the in-house lawyers.

What are some of the main legislative or regulatory changes that have impacted you?

The food industry, particularly the juices and soft drinks industry (in which our business also operates) has been impacted by new and complex legislation, as health, safety and environmental concerns, among others, have been a priority.

Examples of the main legislative or regulatory changes that have impacted us are sugar-related tax issues, packaging and plastics, circularity, advertising restrictions, money laundering and terrorist financing, corruption and logistics.

We are strongly committed to complying with both the law and best practices, and we aim to go even further. Hence, we work harder to inform and implement the needed changes, help our teams be aware of all requirements and incorporate the needed changes in their daily work.