How do you feel the pandemic has changed the world of work for in-house counsel and the function of the general counsel?

The global pandemic greatly impacted the role of the general counsel, which shifted from a consulting position to become a proper business partner. General counsel ought to be leaders for their co-workers and their actions should aim at the improvement of the company. They must balance business needs with compliance rules, sustainability and the health and safety of their employees. The general counsel should guide the digital transformation of the company and adopt technology to accelerate and make the company’s processes safer.

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

In the past year, Kimbo decided to constitute a legal entity in the US. I assisted the board of directors during the entire process – selecting the best corporate model, advising on the best jurisdiction in which to establish the enterprise, engaging with employees, and signing the required documentation. Additionally, Kimbo engaged in several strategic partnerships favouring the further development of the business. In particular, the sparkling coffee drink is worth a mention, representing the first sparkling product realised by Kimbo.

What do you feel are the pros and cons of an in-house legal role compared to a private practice one?

I worked at an international law firm for several years, where I specialised in different subject areas such as restructuring, M&A, corporate and insolvency law. I assisted numerous clients with many deals, studying and developing skills in my area of interest, while having the chance to meet many people. In that context my job was rooted around legal issues that needed to be settled, not allowing me to focus on business matters and develop a reactionary approach to cases. On the other hand, starting as head of legal and later becoming business development director in my current role, I came to appreciate the importance of business through discussions with my colleagues, improving and strengthening my skillset.