Team size:24

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

We developed a global human resources strategy to manage and support global growth and the ever-increasing demands of the business. We also achieved GMP certification of our fulfilment centre at PM-International’s headquarters of the Americas to maintain our high-quality standards for our market expansion in the Americas. Our team completed the set-up of our latest subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Bolivia and Serbia. We also ensured that PM branches and offices around the world are continuously operational despite the Covid situation and the partial lockdown constraints.

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

The Covid-19 pandemic has been an exceptionally challenging situation for in-house counsel. In my case, being the head of the several departments of the fastest growing and largest direct selling company in the areas of health, fitness, and beauty in Europe, it has been an opportunity to use technology in this changing business environment.

During these times, my role has become even more strategic within the organisation, I am increasingly responsible for the decision-making at the highest level.

What will be the main focus for the company in the next 12 months and how do you intend to assist with this?

Even though the Covid-19 pandemic has proven to slow some market entries, we are still working full throttle on the next market openings for Vietnam, China, Hungary, Ivory Coast, Morocco, and Portugal. In addition, the company will focus on further expansion in Central and South America.

We will support the business during the entire course of market’ openings, from the company set-up, products registration, local staff recruitment, and all operational contractual work.

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

The advantages of working as an in-house lawyer is the variety of work, the opportunity to work with external specialist lawyers while continuing your education. Unexpected challenges can also be a downside of working as an in-house lawyer, as it is difficult to work continuously on one project, as compared to a law firm it’s possible to work on the same cases for longer.

Answering questions in private practice usually focuses only on the current legal situation, in-house counsel must actively seek cooperation with stakeholders in other departments to gain the best understanding of the business requirements and consequently provide suited advice.