Team size: About 70 lawyers in six jurisdictions

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

As an in-house lawyer at a big corporation, business as usual is as important as any particular or special project. However, I would say that the recent entry in two new jurisdictions (Slovakia and Czech Republic) and the institution of Jerónimo Martins Foundation were some of the most important recent milestones.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

In general, and in the food distribution industry, you need some business acumen to be successful as an in-house lawyer. Without ever becoming a business blocker, you must guide and assist the company by providing appropriate legal advice and support to the management; properly handle legal risks and comply with legal obligations; and consider the new expectations that both the authorities and other stakeholders place on the company as a corporate citizen.

Do you have a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

Irrespective of the industry, companies must face a wide range of environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks within their business operations and throughout the value chain that need to be identified, monitored, and managed.

For me, the need to address these aspects is not only an imposition of Europe’s current regulatory agenda, but really a matter of passion and of moral compass, considering the new doctrines of corporate interest.