Team size: 54 FTEs

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

I joined my team in August 2023 and since then the team has been involved in several significant cases, including the acquisition of Timber Pharmaceuticals, a US listed dermatology company. The team has also successfully supported the business in establishing a partner distribution model in key markets. In addition, the team has provided strong support in a number of significant confidential matters.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

As an in-house lawyer in the pharmaceutical industry, you need very strong legal qualifications as well as strong business acumen and in depth understanding of the full value chain. From a personality perspective you also need to be a person whom the business trusts and you need to be an integrator – connecting the dots across the organization and creating value beyond the legal expertise.

How have you fostered a closer collaboration between the legal department and your business counterparts?

In February 2024 the team went through a massive reorganisation to ensure a closer collaboration between the global legal and compliance function and the business. We have established a business partner model with fewer points of contact for the business and with greater oversight and span of control. We are also establishing regular alignment meetings. Everything to ensure that as a function we are intentional and proactive rather than reactive.

Do you have a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

I care deeply about development of people. Particularly in the legal industry there has not historically been a sufficient focus and respect for leadership as a required skill with equal value as legal professional skills. I focus on ensuring development for everyone in my team as well as leadership development but also outside my own team and company. In networks and similar I try to drive better leadership for the current and future generation of in-house and external lawyers by putting leadership on the agenda and sharing experience and best practices.