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”To be distinguished and impactful, a GC must understand as quickly as possible two things once they get a new role…“

Christos G. Georgiou, Senior Legal Associate at M.S. Security Group in Cyprus, reflects on building an in-house function from the ground up and why understanding...

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“It has been proven to me that collective brainpower solves complex challenges faster.”

Alina Arsene, General Counsel at Interbrands Orbico in Romania, highlights the evolving GC community in Eastern Europe – where resilience and collective insight are key...

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“The role of the General Counsel today is not simply to manage risk, but to shape outcomes and enable sustainable business decisions.”

Eliana Savvidi, General Counsel at InterMartime Shipmanagement in Cyprus, reflects on the evolving GC role in a complex, global industry – and why today’s legal...

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“There is no perfect recipe for innovation; often, momentum and opportunity arise together, and we must be prepared to act.”

Laura Rudnyanszky, Offerings Counsel Manager at Accenture in Romania, reflects on her experiences on leading legal teams in a complex global environment. What has been...

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”Truly impactful GCs are approachable and credible – they don’t hide behind theory or hierarchy.”

Matthias Reinhardt, General Counsel at Holcim in Germany reflects on the evolving role of the GC, the importance of authenticity and curiosity, and why the...

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”Good GCs provide accurate advice; impactful GCs shape the questions the business asks in the first place.”

With over 12 years of global in‑house experience, John Beckett, Chief Legal Officer for Caldic in Netherlands reflects on the GC’s evolving mandate, building agile,...

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”The role of the General Counsel is not to eliminate risk entirely, but to define the organisation’s acceptable risk boundaries in a way that supports sustainable growth.”

An interview with Nihat Zincirlioglu, Head of Legal & Compliance at Samsung Electronics in Turkiye. What are the biggest external forces or trends currently shaping...

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”The legal function should not be perceived as a ‘no department’ but an ‘enabling department’ with the best possible legal conditions.”

An interview with Basak Gurbuz, Legal Director, General Counsel at Alliance Healthcare in Turkiye. What are the biggest external forces or trends currently shaping your...

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“The best in-house teams do not block innovation – they shape it, de-risk it, and help the organisation move faster with confidence.”

An interview with Fatima Correia da Sila, Group Head of Compliance at Elementis in Portugal. What qualities do you believe distinguish truly impactful GCs from...

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“AI governance, digital ethics, and data-driven decision-making will become central to the GC’s role.”

An interview with Maria Cristina Michelini, Legal Counsel at The Palace Company Europe S.R.L in Italy. What has been the most defining moment of your...

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“Balancing our personal welfare with the pressure received will always be a challenge.”

An interview with Sophia Michelaki, Chief Legal and Governance Counsel at Desfa in Greece. What has been the most defining moment of your career as...

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“We cannot expect others to see us differently if we do not change how we operate ourselves.”

An interview with Alexandre Verrien, former Legal Director France & Europe at Dell Technologies. What has been the most defining moment of your career as...

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“We’re expected to do more with less and the cost of “getting it wrong” is higher.”

An interview with Dag Ove Solsvik, Head of Legal (Maritime) and Secretary to the Board of Directors at DNV in Norway. What are the biggest...

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“The biggest lesson I have learned is that the best in-house lawyers aren’t legal encyclopedias; they’re strategic navigators.”

An interview with Hamdi Timucin Demir, Head of Legal & Compliance at Makyol in Turkiye. What are the biggest external forces or trends currently shaping...

Learn more about “The biggest lesson I have learned is that the best in-house lawyers aren’t legal encyclopedias; they’re strategic navigators.”

“The role of law is not to resist change, but to channel it in the right direction.”

An interview with Fatih Ozdemir, Legal and Regulatory Affairs Director at YASED International Investors Association in Turkiye. What are the biggest external forces or trends...

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“I view legal risks not as obstacles that slow down business, but as opportunities that, when managed properly, can create competitive advantages.”

An interview with Nurdan Peksak, Expert Mediator and Legal Counsel at Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Justice. What are the biggest external forces or trends...

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“We are finding ‘integrated solutions’ to critical matters, moving beyond legal advice activity.”

An interview with Mihai G Popa, Corporate Legal Director/Board of Directors Member at E.ON in Romania. How would you describe the state of the GC...

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“I would like to be part of a genuine community which is diverse enough to allow for special interest groups but manifest and live a common set of values.”

An interview with Livia Dumitrescu, Head of Legal at Franklin Templeton in Romania. How would you describe the state of the GC community in your...

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“You never know when the quality expertise of a connection can save the day for you in an extreme situation.”

An interview with Marian Radu, Group General Counsel at Vrancart Group in Romania. How would you describe the state of the GC Community in your...

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“Networking enables us to get to know the market and also to understand how our colleagues are tackling problems.”

An interview with Luis Graca Rodrigues, Head of Legal Department/Regional Legal Director at Indra/Minsait in Italy. How would you describe the state of the GC...

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“With the current economic and geopolitical situation, companies are under high pressure to operate on a lower cost, doing more with fewer resources.”

An interview with Juan Pablo Fernandez, Group General Counsel at TopSource Worldwide in Netherlands. What are the biggest external forces or trends currently shaping your...

Learn more about “With the current economic and geopolitical situation, companies are under high pressure to operate on a lower cost, doing more with fewer resources.”

“You always learn something when you take the time to engage with other in-house lawyers.”

An interview with Joanne Ross, Group General Counsel at Kerry in Ireland. How would you describe the state of the GC Community in your region?...

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“I value the exchange of ideas and strategies that can help improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of legal teams.”

An interview with Nora Zinsli, Head of Legal at DHL in Switzerland. How would you describe the state of the GC Community in your region?...

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“There has been a noticeable shift towards greater collaboration and sharing of best practices.”

An interview with Jens Fettig, Head of Legal and Compliance at CGI in Germany. How would you describe the state of the GC Community in...

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“It can feel isolated, like being in a professional vacuum, with no one to turn to for discussing critical issues.”

An interview with Oksana Starodymova, General Counsel & Company Secretary Europe in Latvia. How would you describe the state of the GC Community in your...

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“A legal team that is seen merely as identifying risks cannot provide the nuanced, informed decision-making that our operations require daily.”

An interview with Omiyinka Doris, Former General Counsel/Now Advisor to the CEO at VEON in Netherlands. What are the biggest external forces or trends currently...

Learn more about “A legal team that is seen merely as identifying risks cannot provide the nuanced, informed decision-making that our operations require daily.”

“I see collaboration as a powerful driver of progress.”

An interview with Isabel Fernandes, Director/General Counsel – Legal Services Department at Grupo Visabeira S.A. in Portugal. How would you describe the state of the...

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“Our approach has been to recognise AI’s potential while moving forward with deliberate caution.”

An interview with Ignacio Marin Garcia, Legal Director at Pivotal in Spain. What are the biggest external forces or trends currently shaping your role as...

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“Don’t wait to be invited to the table – build your own.”

An interview with Giovanna Rosato, Head of Legal & Compliance at Danone in Italy. What are the biggest external forces or trends currently shaping...

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“I can learn and benefit from the experiences and approaches of GCs present in other industries and markets.”

An interview with Peter Sukosd, Company Secretary at Auchan Retail in Hungary. How would you describe the state of the GC Community in your region?...

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Who is afraid of the General Counsel?

A perspective on how the role of General Counsel has evolved in Romania from Gabriela Popescu, Corporate, External and Legal Affairs Lead, Central Europe at...

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“There seems to be less focus on location and more focus on capabilities, expertise and preference.”

An interview with Dr. Beatrice Vos, Partner/Managing Partner at Stonehaven Cozmix Group/Stonehaven Transactions AG in Belgium. How would you describe the state of the GC...

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“In-house lawyers have established themselves as focal points for legal matters within companies and a trusted part of the corporate eco-system.”

An interview with Diogo Liberal, Head of Legal and Compliance at Banco Primus in Portugal. How would you describe the state of the GC Community...

Learn more about “In-house lawyers have established themselves as focal points for legal matters within companies and a trusted part of the corporate eco-system.”

“There is a common thread among GCs: the desire for exchange and collaboration.”

An interview with Daniel van Geerenstein, Head of Legal/Vice-President (equiv.) at Jack Wolfskin in Germany. How would you describe the state of the GC Community...

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“There is big pressure on the specialisation of in-house lawyers and pressure on the GC to cut external expenses.”

An interview with Csaba Csorba, Deputy General Legal Counsel at Skoda Transportation in Czech Republic. How would you describe the state of the GC Community...

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“GCs are key decision-makers in the businesses they activate and can be role models within the industry.”

An interview with Crina Ciobanu, Head of Legal and Business Affairs at Porr in Romania. How would you describe the state of the GC Community...

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“Legal can’t be a ‘business prevention department’.”

An interview with Christopher Fischer, Group Head of Legal Affairs and General Secretary at DenizBank AG in Austria. What are the biggest external forces or...

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“I have been driving transformation in the legal function in various industries for the past 2 decades and would love to share my experience.”

An interview with Christine Bruhn Tuxen, VP, Group General Counsel at Leo Pharma A/S in Denmark. How would you describe the state of the GC...

Learn more about “I have been driving transformation in the legal function in various industries for the past 2 decades and would love to share my experience.”

“The GC is still not so established in Italy and has no defined features even today.”

An interview with Sara Citterio, General Counsel at Trussardi in Italy. How would you describe the state of the GC Community in your region? How...

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“Legal teams, like any other part of the business, need to evolve, challenge inefficiencies, and lead change.”

An interview with Christian Fahey, Senior Managing Director, Deputy General Counsel (EMEA & APAC) at Ankura in UK. What are the biggest external forces or...

Learn more about “Legal teams, like any other part of the business, need to evolve, challenge inefficiencies, and lead change.”

“Building good, cooperative relationships helps solve problems faster and makes legal advice more relevant to the business.”

An interview with Ceyda Akbal Oztarhan, General Counsel at TAV Airports Holding in Turkiye. What are the biggest external forces or trends currently shaping your...

Learn more about “Building good, cooperative relationships helps solve problems faster and makes legal advice more relevant to the business.”

From GC to law firm leadership: a growing trend

A perspective from Candice Gidney, General Counsel at Chancelight Behavioral Health, Therapy & Education, commenting on how former GCs are reshaping law firm leadership and...

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“The GC community lacks the opportunity to network and exchange practical advice, or develop international / outward facing practices.”

An interview with Andriani Ferti, General Counsel at PNOE in Greece. How would you describe the state of the GC Community in your region? How...

Learn more about “The GC community lacks the opportunity to network and exchange practical advice, or develop international / outward facing practices.”

“While there are some great individual initiatives, there remains a gap in fostering a cohesive, structured network of GCs.”

An interview with Andrea Megale, Head of Legal – Corporate and Investment Banking at BBVA in Italy. How would you describe the state of the...

Learn more about “While there are some great individual initiatives, there remains a gap in fostering a cohesive, structured network of GCs.”

“In a role where we are expected to be both gatekeepers and enablers, it helps enormously to have peers you can turn to.”

An interview with Anastasia Petsinari, General Counsel at Optima Bank in Greece. How would you describe the state of the GC Community in your region?...

Learn more about “In a role where we are expected to be both gatekeepers and enablers, it helps enormously to have peers you can turn to.”

“In today’s fast-moving legal world, waiting for instructions is a losing strategy.”

Ali Saad, Corporate & In-house Lawyer at Dyninno Group in Egypt, explains how responsiveness and initiative are the lawyer’s secret weapon in corporate success. In...

Learn more about “In today’s fast-moving legal world, waiting for instructions is a losing strategy.”

“Today we are required not only to know the law, but also to understand the economic context, anticipate risks, contribute to sustainability and drive innovation.”

An interview with Alfonso Levote, General Counsel and Investor Relations at Rosetti Marino Group of Companies in Italy. How would you describe the state of...

Learn more about “Today we are required not only to know the law, but also to understand the economic context, anticipate risks, contribute to sustainability and drive innovation.”

“I love hearing how others are optimising their legal departments, doing more with less, or streamlining processes to become more efficient.”

An interview with Alejandro Bes, Group General Counsel/CLO at Axmed in Switzerland. How would you describe the state of the GC Community in your region?...

Learn more about “I love hearing how others are optimising their legal departments, doing more with less, or streamlining processes to become more efficient.”

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