First, can you please give us an idea of the sort of work your team has done recently? 

The tasks of our legal department are very comprehensive, from M&A matters to customer and supplier contracts as well as claim management. Recent bigger projects included work for new customer projects. For example, we are very proud of our latest launches in our complete vehicle manufacturing businesses in Austria and China. As times become more challenging, we expect that more businesses become distressed, which will require additional legal support in respect to procurement issues, for example. 

How does your legal strategy change during periods of instability or uncertainty?   

A heightened focus is on risk assessment, to identify potential legal risks arising from the instability or uncertainty. This assessment helps prioritise legal issues and allocate resources accordingly. Contracts always need to include provisions that address potential risks. However, during times of instability and uncertainty, such provisions even more often come into play, with their effectiveness being challenged.  

Do you make use of any ‘legal tech’ products, and if so, for which areas of your job do you find it most useful? 

AI has become part of contract drafting, increasing efficiency. Magna has retained a specific AI assistant that helps to provide information and answers questions, which has been proven to be helpful. In general, legal department management platforms as off-the-shelf solutions with options to customise if and where needed which include all aspects from contract to case management, IP rights management and corporate housekeeping, are, in my view, one of the most useful tools.