Team size: 15

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

My team was recently faced with a major mediation in an intellectual property dispute. For some of my lawyers, this was their first mediation, which enabled them to learn about this reasoned negotiation technique and to discover all its advantages.

In addition, my teams had the opportunity to take part in major trade union negotiations with the human resources department on issues of copyright and neighbouring rights for the company’s employees.

How do you see the general counsel role evolving in France over the next five-ten years?

Legal directors will be increasingly called upon to participate in strategic business decisions. They may be called upon to play a more active role in the management of the company and to take on broader responsibilities, such as risk management, compliance and corporate governance.

Furthermore, in the face of digital transformation, legal directors will have to continue to adapt to the rapid evolution of technology. This means managing the legal challenges associated with data protection, cybersecurity and the use of artificial intelligence in the legal field.

In short, the role of the General Counsel in France will continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of businesses and the legal challenges of the global economy. He will need to be both a legal expert and a key strategic partner within the company.

As we enter the next decade, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?

As we enter the next decade, in-house legal teams will need to develop a diverse set of skills to succeed in the modern in-house industry. Here are some of the key skills they will need:

In-depth legal knowledge: This remains the core skill. In-house lawyers must have a solid grasp of the relevant laws, regulations and legal areas that affect their business.

Business understanding: A solid understanding of the company’s business operations is essential. Lawyers must be able to understand the business objectives, challenges and opportunities to provide legal advice that addresses them.

Technology skills: With digital transformation underway, lawyers need to be comfortable with technology tools, including contract management software, legal research, document management, and understand the legal implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain.

Risk management: Legal teams need to be able to identify and manage risks, while helping the business make informed decisions about compliance, governance and legal liability.

Negotiation skills: Lawyers must be skilled negotiators to help the business reach favourable agreements and resolve disputes effectively.

In summary, the corporate legal teams of the next decade will need to be multi-disciplinary professionals with strong legal skills, commercial and technological skills, and a deep understanding of their business needs. They will also need to be ready to adapt to rapid changes in the world of business and the law.