Regional Counsel BeNeLux | Stryker
Samuel Berneman
Regional Counsel BeNeLux | Stryker
What are the projects that you are most proud of working on over the past 12 months?
Sustainability and circularity in Dutch healthcare: contributed to establishing a recycling initiative in the Netherlands, collecting PET packaging waste from medical devices supplied to hospitals and repurposing it into circular products.
Partnership with medical education facility in Europe: successfully led complex negotiations to secure a partnership with a state-of-the-art medical education facility, renowned for its commitment to excellence and its mission to improve healthcare.
Indirect channels in Europe: supporting strategic transitions in indirect channel partnerships for Stryker in Europe.
What do you think sets you apart from other in-house counsel?
What sets me apart is my curiosity and commitment to deeply understanding our business. I actively engage with the business teams – learning about our products, marketing strategies, and meeting customers – to ensure that our legal department’s priorities are fully aligned with the company’s goals.
What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?
A modern in-house counsel must be business-minded, proactive, and solution-oriented. It’s essential to understand the company’s objectives, anticipate risks, and provide pragmatic legal guidance that enables growth while ensuring compliance. Strong communication and adaptability are key to bridging the gap between legal and business teams effectively.
What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about?
I’m passionate about making a meaningful impact in healthcare by helping to drive innovation and ensure compliance in a way that enables better patient outcomes. Working at Stryker allows me to contribute to a company that pushes the boundaries of medical technology while upholding the highest standards. It’s rewarding to know that my work supports advancements that genuinely improve lives.