Team size: 29 

Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense? 

My priority has been to build a proficient internal team and modernise the legal department’s structure. Previously, the department followed a business or country-oriented structure, lacking clearly defined roles and responsibilities.  

To address this, I implemented a functional areas of expertise approach. Each team member – with previous experience in renowned law and consulting firms – now serves as a counsel overseeing a specific legal domain; contract management and M&A, corporate law, administrative and environmental law, intellectual property, and compliance. They work closely with corporate affairs and compliance structures (which are also under my direct supervision, too), as well as with legal departments of operative companies where present.  

This allows us to form specialised teams to handle legal matters, provide diverse perspectives and develop strategies that align with the business’ goals.  

This strategic reorganisation has also led to reduced reliance on outsourcing, reserving it for high-level consulting or repetitive tasks. By fostering internal strategic thinking, we enhance the department’s ability to bring significant value to the organisation.  

Can you foresee any key developments to the way general counsel work over the next five years?  

The transformation of general counsel into chief legal officers will accelerate significantly.  

Our role is transcending its traditional boundaries of providing internal legal counselling and merely being one of the factors in our colleagues’ decision-making processes. On the contrary, the essence of our future work lies in providing vital guidance to steer business development, acting as a catalyst for solutions within the company and actively contributing to the decision-making process.  

Understanding the company’s strategic vision and devising a coherent and synergistic legal strategy, alongside our characteristic lawyer’s mindset towards risk, compliance, regulatory and sustainability matters, will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s route.  

In this regard, by leveraging advanced technologies, we can optimise the time dedicated to strategic thinking, streamlining time-consuming responsibilities.  

Our origin was in managing legal matters; now we transcend this to infuse legal thinking into business growth.  

How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment?  

Dedication to encouraging an inclusive and diverse workplace is one of our core values.  

We prioritise hiring based on skills and qualifications. As a result, we have proudly cultivated a team with a significant female presence, making up seven out of ten professionals.  

Our commitment to equity extends to performance evaluations. Together with team-members, we set clear goals and KPIs, ensuring a fair and unbiased assessment of achievements.  

To promote the well-being of our colleagues beyond the office, we have implemented several welfare activities and the smart-working policy that allows flexibility in work schedules and locations. This has proven especially advantageous for individuals with family responsibilities.  

How do you stay updated on the evolving regulatory landscape in Italy and ensure compliance with domestic laws, EU regulations, and industry-specific regulations?  

Navigating Italy’s ever-changing legal landscape can be challenging for legal professionals, but we tackle this with a comprehensive approach.  

We begin by understanding our company’s activities through continuous risk assessments, identifying risk factors associated with crucial processes.  

To stay ahead, we employ monitoring systems that keep us informed of any legal modifications in relevant areas. This proactive strategy allows us to swiftly adapt and comply with new legal requirements.  

Moreover, we highly value insights from external legal counsels and actively participate in industry forums and associations, as well as seminars, lessons, and conferences that enhance knowledge of the evolving legal system.