Team size: 11

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

Generally, we assist on all legal aspects of our operations in France, except tax, real estate, and insurance. The team advises on M&A, strategic partnership, and key industrial projects, with a focus on supporting our group’s decarbonisation objectives.

We are very active in labour law and EHS. We also support our businesses in dealing with commercial and industrial litigation and with the legal aspects of their dealings with public authorities.

What are some of your main tips for dealing with a crisis?

Put together a multifunctional team (with a limited number of people), including a person with decision making authority (CEO), communication, public affairs, subject matter experts, HR, legal, and outside counsel when necessary; make sure all internal and external communications are reviewed by legal.

It is also vital to set up an action plan with timeline and owner; ensure progress monitoring with regular calls and update meetings; document actions taken and keep records; and engage with both internal and external stakeholders, as necessary.

How do you suggest in-house lawyers build strong relationships with business partners?

It is important to understand the business to be an effective problem solver. This can be done by gaining a deep understanding of the business and its operations; its challenges, objectives, and its people. In-house lawyers can tailor their legal advice to the actual needs of the business stakeholders and collaborate on risk management strategies. They should not be shy to ask questions.

Proactive communication is imperative; lawyers should regularly engage with business partners, not just when legal issues arise. Regular meetings, trainings, awareness sessions, updates on legal developments or interesting precedents can help in achieving this. It is important to empower business stakeholders with legal knowledge relevant to their roles.

In-house lawyers should also be proactive about asking for feedback and avoid legal terminology when legal advice can be communicated in plain or business English.

What are some of the main legislative or regulatory changes that have impacted you?

ESG transparency requirements, and environmental laws, such as Loi Climat et Résilience have had an impact. We closely follow legal developments in energy law and of course, welcome the future acknowledgement of the in-house legal privilege in France.