Head of legal and compliance | SII Group
Ofelia Teodorescu
Head of legal and compliance | SII Group
Bio
Ofelia began her career as a lawyer immediately after graduation and carries out her work under the auspices of the Bucharest Bar Association, being recognised for her pragmatic and creative approach to various matters of commercial, corporate, and business law.
As the Legal and Compliance Director for SII Romania, Ofelia is responsible for the effective and efficient management of the company’s Legal and Compliance affairs, providing legal advisory services and ensuring effective management of legal and contractual risks, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and global consistency with corporate policies and procedures.
She also acts as the International CSR and Performance Coordinator within SII Group, overseeing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), management systems, and operational performance activities for SII Romania, SII Germany, SII Netherlands, SII Canada, SII UK, SII India, and SII USA.
Ofelia firmly believes that results orientation, self-development, and professional growth are key to a business’s resilience and long-term sustainability.
SII Romania is a leading technology company that delivers digital software, software engineering, and IT outsourcing services and solutions tailored to clients’ needs. SII Romania is part of the multinational corporation SII Group, a leader in technological engineering solutions, with over 40 years of experience in creating, developing, and providing services in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
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 organisation’s resilience?
During periods of instability or crises, I always prioritise activities that will bring the highest revenue and cost savings to the organisation and support its strategic initiatives. That is why I focuse on risk management, regulatory compliance, and scenario planning. I consider that communication and having a close collaboration with both, legal team and the business leaders, are the keys to ensure the organization’s resilience and operational continuity.
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?
The impact of technology on the legal profession has been profound and multifaceted, changing the way law is practiced and managed worldwide. Artificial intelligence can process vast amounts of data at speeds unattainable by humans, providing valuable insights and freeing lawyers from time-consuming tasks. On the other hand, I, as a Lawyer, understand the capabilities and limitations of AI technologies and ensure they complement human judgment and expertise. I recognize that staying ahead of these legal trends is crucial for me and my team and that is why I stay updated through continuous learning, attending legal tech conferences, engaging with legal tech forums, and subscribing to legal tech publications.
How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment?
A strong diversity and inclusion strategy serves as the foundation for fostering an inclusive work environment. I implement inclusive recruitment and hiring practices to ensure diverse representation and building a diverse talent pipeline. My goal is to have a legal and compliance team with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, which leads to better decision-making and more creative legal solutions. That is why I support continuous education through training programs for cultural competence. I encourage open discussions to promote understanding among employees and mitigate unconscious bias, and I have regular policy reviews to ensure DE&I among legal team and all business departments.