General counsel | Bottega Veneta
Raffaella Romano
General counsel | Bottega Veneta
How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?
In times of volatility or crisis, our approach to legal challenges is rooted in swiftly assessing risks in their entirety and ensuring that our legal responses are in harmony with the company’s broader goals. We maintain open lines of communication with all parties involved, fostering trust and clarity.
Our legal strategy is fluid and responsive, placing the protection of the company’s critical assets and continuity of operations at the forefront, while also ensuring strict compliance with all relevant regulations. We’re dedicated to maintaining our legal team’s agility, allowing for the adjustment of contractual terms and swift action in response to changes in the legal landscape.
Our commitment extends to a vigilant monitoring of legal trends and potential shifts, positioning us to proactively address new legal challenges. By adopting this proactive and strategic approach, we aim to reinforce the organisation’s resilience, enabling us to manage and adapt to difficulties effectively.
What are the main cases or transactions that you have been involved in recently?
Due to the sensitive nature of the work and the commitment to confidentiality, I am unable to provide specific details regarding the cases and transactions that I have handled. However, I can share that my involvement has spanned a wide array of legal matters, where I have collaborated closely with various business units to align our legal efforts with the company’s strategic objectives and ambitions. My contributions have covered multiple facets of the company’s operations and have required a deep integration with business teams to ensure that our legal activities not only comply with current regulations but also advance the company’s overarching mission and targets.
Over the last twelve months, my involvement has spanned a variety of critical legal domains, each demanding a nuanced and informed approach. Below are more detailed insights into the main areas:
Intellectual Property (IP): I have overseen complex IP challenges, including enforcing brand rights, ensuring IP clearance, and crafting licensing strategies for trademarks and designs. I have also negotiated co-branding and ambassadorship agreements, which required a strategic balance between legal safeguards and marketing objectives.
Joint Ventures: I played a pivotal role in the foundational stages of significant cross-border joint ventures.
Omnichannel Distribution Strategy: I provided key legal advice for the execution of a sophisticated brand elevation strategy, aimed at reshaping the brand’s presence across various distribution channels. This role entailed navigating complex legal terrain to support the brand’s strategic expansion and market positioning.
Real Estate Transactions: I supported in the completion of several real estate transactions. I managed the intricacies of lease negotiations across different jurisdictions, ensuring each deal aligned with our business needs and complied with the pertinent legal requirements.
What do you see as the major legal challenges for businesses in Italy over the next five years, and how are you preparing to address them?
Businesses in Italy are likely to encounter several key legal challenges in the forthcoming five years. These challenges will encompass adjusting to new and shifting regulations, steering through the intricacies of digital transformation while safeguarding against cybersecurity threats, and maintaining stability in the face of economic volatility and market uncertainties. Additionally, companies must adeptly handle the complexities of international trade laws and embrace the incorporation of sustainable practices into their operations. In anticipation of these challenges, it is imperative to focus on continuous legal education to keep the teams knowledgeable about the latest legal developments. Proactive risk management strategies should be developed to identify and mitigate potential legal issues before they arise. The adoption of legal technology solutions will be essential to streamline processes and improve efficiency, while maintaining the flexibility to quickly adapt to new legal requirements is paramount. Equally important is the need for legal departments to be attuned to the evolving requirements of the business landscape. Legal professionals must be in sync with both legal progressions and business imperatives, deftly balancing legal considerations with business strategy.
General counsel | Bottega Veneta