An interview with Andrea Megale, Head of Legal – Corporate and Investment Banking at BBVA in Italy.
How would you describe the state of the GC Community in your region? How has it changed since you first moved in-house?
The GC community in Italy, particularly within the banking and financial sector, has certainly grown in maturity and visibility over the years. When I first moved in-house, the role of the General Counsel was often perceived as more operational and reactive. Today, GCs are increasingly seen as strategic business partners – closely involved in risk management, governance, sustainability, and digital transformation.
However, despite this evolution, I still perceive a certain fragmentation within the in-house legal community. While there are some great individual initiatives, there remains a gap in fostering a cohesive, structured network of GCs – especially in banking. I believe we could all benefit from more opportunities to connect, exchange ideas, and share practical solutions to common challenges.
Why is expanding your network important to you? What kinds of connections or discussions would be most valuable to you?
Creating and expanding meaningful professional connections is, in my view, both important and advisable – particularly in a sector like banking where the regulatory landscape is constantly shifting. A strong network of peers offers invaluable opportunities for benchmarking, informal support, and exchanging insights on how to navigate complex legal, compliance, and governance issues.
Over the past few years, I’ve made efforts to build a more consolidated network of in-house legal professionals in banking here in Italy. However, I’ve faced some challenges – whether due to time constraints, internal policies, or simply different personal attitudes. Many colleagues express interest in principle, but making that commitment to engage regularly remains difficult. Still, I believe the potential benefits are too significant to ignore.
What do you want to achieve by collaborating with other GCs and senior in-house lawyers? Are there specific topics, challenges, or experiences you’d like to share or learn more about?
What I hope to achieve is a real sense of community – one that allows for open, constructive dialogue beyond formal panels or events. I would value deeper, ongoing discussions around emerging regulatory trends, the evolving role of legal in ESG strategy, AI and digitalisation in legal functions, and how GCs can better position themselves within their organizations to add long-term value.
I also think there is room for more peer-to-peer mentoring and knowledge-sharing, especially for those in smaller teams or newer to the GC role. Learning from the practical experiences of others – and sharing mine in return – can be incredibly powerful, not just professionally but also on a human level.
