About

The French Supreme Court granted a landmark decision on product liability and casual link due to the collective effort of a team managed by Laurent Pitet, now general counsel and compliance officer at Bayer HealthCare in France. The decision, as well as the decision of the completion authorities, was not only a landmark for the sector but also a personal career highlight for Pitet. Overcoming the challenges of simultaneous management of a high number of legal cases, involving both civil and penal aspects, is what brings out Pitet’s best qualities as an in-house lawyer. He plays an active role in the legal department with 11 employees reporting directly into him in a direct fashion. He has been successful in consolidating the legal expertise of those team members to effectively build protection for the activities and products of the pharmaceutical company. With a vast legal knowledge of the sector, having spent over 25 years in the industry, where he plays a signifincant role, Pitet combines strategic advice and commercial protection with a clear view of issues, regulations and the consequences of global endeavours. Pitet has a somewhat prosaic approach to the sector and his role within it: ‘People, passion, performance and patience. Working in the healthcare sector is neither a hazard nor is it only a job’.