About

Established as recently as 2015, the legal department at the Danish Agriculture & Food Council has already proven their worth to the business via their ability to convert complex legal assessments into business action plans. Led by head of legal Charlotte Bigum Lynaes, the team’s value has been described as ‘priceless’ to their business peers thanks to their wide-ranging counsel on areas including EU regulation, environmental law, competition law, intellectual property law, administrative law and general business. Reporting directly to the CEO, the bulk of the day to day work for the team is through its position as a central team providing legal advice on upcoming regulation, business-as-usual matters and on the principle court cases facing the Council. The Council operates in the interests of the food producing companies and farmers whilst also providing innovation for future production opportunities and impacts on the domestic agenda. Perhaps just as important as their in-depth legal knowledge is the team’s ability to get stakeholders aware of and onside with their work. Strong considerations must be given to external media, which had to be deftly managed during a case that saw farmers banned from using certain pesticide products; the team was able to take the discussion away from emotion and feelings into facts and legal requirements for expropriation as such a ban constitutes. Maintaining an open, dynamic and experienced working environment, the legal function requires close working relationships amongst the lawyers and other business partners which encompasses around 300 people. Despite its recent inception, the team has already established a strong reputation across the organisation and amongst members for providing useful input rather than blocking an initiative by focusing on legal risks.