About

Formed in 2007 through a merger between investment companies Unibail and Rodamco Europe, the property management company Unibail-Rodamco currently holds almost €40bn in total assets in various real estate locations including prestigious shopping centres, convention centres and office properties across Europe. Managing such an extensive portfolio of property entails several different legal and compliance challenges. Florence Samaran has been director of the legal department in France since September 2007, overseeing a legal function well-prepared to deal with a dynamic, diverse and growing business. Listed on several stock indices and operating within a sector that is subject to rigorous regulation, Samaran and colleagues are challenged to keep abreast of regulatory affairs in not only their home market of France but in other jurisdictions where Unibail-Rodamco owns or operates properties. As it is necessary to provide counsel to business partners and assist with the coordination of strategic decisions, the in-house legal team of Unibail-Rodamco must show not only legal expertise but mould their advice to positively influence actual business outcomes for the company.