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 organization’s resilience?

As Country Head of Legal for Novartis Romania, my strategy focuses on proactive preparation and cross-team collaboration. The legal team plays a crucial role in ensuring the company’s resilience by anticipating challenges and crafting solutions that align with broader business goals, with a strong emphasis on patient care. We plan to ensure legal frameworks are in place to support access to medicines, regardless of market or regulatory shifts.

Our team is committed to staying at the forefront of legal developments, enabling us to swiftly address any potential disruptions. This preparedness is essential in the pharmaceutical industry, where patient well-being could be directly impacted. By fostering close partnerships with other departments, we ensure the company continues to serve patients, even in uncertain times. Our legal strategy is not only about managing risks but also about safeguarding the company’s mission to deliver treatments to those who need them most.

What emerging technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future, and how do you stay updated on these developments?

In the legal profession, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are set to revolutionise how legal teams operate. AI is enhancing everything from contract review to legal research, making processes faster and more efficient. Tools that leverage machine learning are also transforming how legal professionals analyse data and predict outcomes, giving us the ability to provide more strategic advice at a faster pace.

To remain at the forefront, I ensure that my team and I engage with industry experts, attend conferences, and participate in advanced training programs. We continuously explore new legal technologies that can streamline our operations, enabling us to focus on high-level strategic initiatives that drive the business forward. By adopting these tools early, we maintain our leadership in the market and ensure that we are fully equipped to meet the evolving demands of the legal profession.