Team size: Nine

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

The International team is heavily involved in contract negotiations across Arla’s business, including joint venture agreements, license agreements, distribution agreements, as well as providing advice and managing disputes across Arla’s international business. A specific example includes the team’s successful negotiation of trademark license agreements with two large international FMCG chocolate companies for the production of chocolate milk products by Arla under licenses.

The data privacy team is involved in building and strengthening Arla’s data privacy setup by improving mapping, processes, and documentation, as well as handling incoming requests for advice, data breaches, and data subject access requests. The sanctions team is involved in navigating the increased number of sanctions, including divestment of Arla’s Russian business, as well as migrating to a new screening system.

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

A pragmatic and business-savvy approach, considering wider considerations of importance for the company beyond just legal issues, as well as the ability to prioritise clearly. These are all qualities required to be successful as an in-house counsel in our industry.

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

In terms of structure, we do not impose rigid requirements for certain issues or documents to undergo legal review. Instead, we rely largely on common sense and goodwill, allowing our business teams to decide when to involve our legal department. Here, demonstrating the ability to understand the business issues at hand and provide solutions, rather than merely identifying issues, is key to creating a long-term collaboration and trust.