What are the most significant cases, transactions or projects that your legal team has recently been involved in?
To drive sustainable growth as a global medical technology company, we have completed several strategic divestments and acquisitions over the past few years. Most recently, we were involved in the sale of Evident Corporation, our Scientific Solutions business. Throughout the separation, due diligence, and negotiation phases, our legal team collaborated closely with colleagues worldwide and coordinated with law firms across multiple jurisdictions. We successfully navigated complex legal challenges, leading to the smooth closing of this significant transaction.

Could you share an example of a time when your team came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?
Our legal team gained business skills in order to work more efficiently. Key topics include prioritization, problem-solving, and effective use of email. In addition, we tried to improve the quality, and limit the number of our meetings. For example, we set clear meeting objectives, invited appropriate participants and determined the next steps at the end of meetings. Furthermore, we utilised existing platforms such as Microsoft Teams and OneNote to enhance our knowledge management.
How important is choosing to work with external lawyers who align with your company’s values?
Choosing to work with external lawyers who respect our company’s values is extremely important. External lawyers who know our risk perception can properly assess legal risks and provide a practical suggestion that works for us in a timely manner. Excellent external lawyers anticipate our needs and deliver tailored, value-added alerts and bulletins. Understanding our corporate philosophy and company strategy is essential to becoming our trusted business advisors.
How do you suggest in-house lawyers build strong relationships with business partners?
In-house lawyers must actively listen to business partners and thoroughly understand the business to build strong relationships. Deep knowledge of the company’s products, services, strategy, and organization is essential to provide real value. Additionally, in-house lawyers should clearly convey that their goal is to offer practical, reasonable solutions aligned with the company’s objectives.Fostering open, transparent, and collaborative communication with business partners is key. Regularly scheduled check-ins are valuable for gathering feedback and identifying areas for improvement.