GC Summit: Denmark 2025

Legal 500 is thrilled to bring the GC Summit back to Copenhagen on 2 October 2025. Designed specifically for Denmark’s in-house legal community, this high-impact gathering offers a unique space to explore new ideas, share practical solutions, and build meaningful relationships across the legal and business landscape.

This year’s programme will explore critical developments shaping the future of legal departments, from shifting regulatory frameworks and corporate risk to digital transformation and evolving leadership expectations. Through lively panels, expert briefings, and hands-on discussions, participants will unpack challenges and uncover actionable strategies tailored to today’s fast-changing environment.

The GC Summit series isn’t just an event – it’s a catalyst for forward motion. With insights from seasoned general counsel and influential voices across industries, the day is designed to inspire fresh thinking and equip legal teams with the tools needed to lead with confidence and creativity. Whether you’re an experienced legal executive or rising in your in-house career, you’ll find value in the content, depth in the dialogue, and opportunity in every conversation.

The day will wrap up with a relaxed networking reception, as an informal chance to continue discussions, exchange ideas, and build new professional connections over drinks.

Be part of the momentum. Register now and take your place in Denmark’s evolving in-house legal story. Join us this October in Copenhagen for a day that redefines what it means to lead from the legal seat!

Agenda

2.00pm – 2.30pm Registration

2.30pm – 2.40pm Opening Remarks

• • Francisco Castro, research editor, Legal 500

2.40pm – 3.30pm Crisis management playbook: proactive strategies for legal teams

In an increasingly volatile global environment, in-house legal teams must be prepared to lead in times of crisis, whether facing regulatory scrutiny, cybersecurity threats, or reputational risks. This panel will explore proactive strategies that empower legal departments to respond swiftly and decisively. Drawing on real-world examples and expert insights, our speakers will outline the essential components of a modern crisis management playbook – early risk detection, cross-functional coordination, communication protocols and post-crisis recovery planning. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to strengthen their organisation’s resilience and enhance the legal team’s role as a trusted crisis leader.

• Hanne Marthine Frederiksen, partner, Poul Schmith
• Søren Søndergaard, director, Rud Petersen

3.30pm – 4.20pm The EU Digital Omnibus from a practitioner’s viewpoint: Exploring the opportunities and risks of EU reform of the GDPR and NIS 2

In light of the findings of the Draghi-report the EU has announced a Digital Omnibus proposal aimed at simplifying a number of legal acts in the digital space by the end of the year, including the new rules on cybersecurity in the NIS 2 Directive. A separate reform of the GDPR is expected in 2026. In the session leading experts and practitioners give their take on what challenges businesses face today when complying with data protection and cybersecurity legislation. We explore how the reform process is likely to evolve and discuss which rules could create the most value by being simplified or otherwise reformed.

• • Marlene Winther Plas, partner, DLA Piper Denmark
  • Christian Wiese Svanberg, attorney, senior director, DLA Piper Denmark
  • Tina Dorthe Nielsen, senior legal counsel, global data governance lead, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies
  • Hans-Henrik Queseth, general counsel, Northern Europe, Atos

4.20pm – 4.35pm Coffee Break

4.35pm – 5.25pm Insurers view on corporate risks with shifting global trends

The global risk landscape is evolving at unprecedented speed, driven by rising climate challenges, geopolitical instability, and the growing potential for class actions initiated by consumers and NGOs. This panel will explore how the insurance industry is responding to these developments — from assessing emerging risks to shaping mitigation strategies. Speakers will consider how these shifts may influence the future of insurance solutions and claims handling, and whether spillover effects can be expected across areas such as cyber, product liability, property, and D&O claims.

• Medea Solevad Plesner, legal director, Kennedys
• Anja Deleuran, senior insurance manager, Carlsberg
• Thomes Brenøe, director, vice CEO, Insurance and Pension Denmark
• Chris La Cour Valentin, head of financial lines, AIG

5.25pm – 5.55pm Panel 4

5.55pm – 6.00pm Closing Remarks

• • Francisco Castro, research editor, Legal 500

6.00pm – 7.00pm Networking Session

Speakers

Hanne Marthine Frederiksen, partner, Poul Schmith

Hanne Marthine Frederiksen is a partner at Poul Schmith and a highly experienced litigation and investigations lawyer. She advises corporates and public authorities on complex, business-critical matters – including internal investigations, crisis and risk management, regulatory proceedings and high-profile media cases. She is a trusted advisor to senior management in high-stakes situations requiring strategic legal guidance and cross-functional coordination.

Søren Søndergaard, director, Rud Petersen

Søren Søndergaard is a Director at Rud Pedersen and one of Denmark’s most experienced advisers on political communication, media strategy and crisis management. He counsels corporates, industry organisations and senior political leaders on navigating reputational threats, political scrutiny and complex stakeholder landscapes. Known for his deep understanding of decision-making at the highest political levels, he is a trusted strategist in high-pressure situations requiring decisive messaging, seamless coordination and the protection of organisational credibility.

Marlene Winther Plas, partner, DLA Piper Denmark

Marlene Winther Plas is a partner at DLA Piper Denmark with more than 20 years’ experience in IT law and data protection. She is Head of IPT across the firm’s Nordic offices and is the data protection responsible in Denmark. Marlene advises Danish and international businesses as well as public authorities on complex technology and data protection contracts, outsourcing, AI and cybersecurity (including NIS 2), and has wide-ranging experience with GDPR compliance and data breaches. Marlene is a qualified mediator and well known for her mediation in several high-profile IT and technology-related disputes.

Christian Wiese Svanberg, attorney, senior director, DLA Piper Denmark

Christian Wiese Svanberg is an Attorney and Senior Director at DLA Piper Denmark and an internationally recognised expert in data protection law with more than 20 years’ experience. Christian advises Danish and international clients on data protection, cybersecurity and sensitive matters relating to national security. He has held senior roles in the Danish Defence Intelligence Service, the Ministry of Justice, the National Police and the Data Protection Agency, giving him unique insight into high-risk cases, cyber incidents and large-scale compliance projects. Christian has twice been invited as an expert to the European Parliament’s LIBE Committee, is a frequent international speaker, and lectures in European data protection law at the University of Copenhagen.

Tina Dorthe Nielsen, senior legal counsel, global data governance lead, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies

Hans-Henrik Queseth, general counsel, Northern Europe, Atos

Medea Solevad Plesner, legal director, Kennedys

Medea is a Legal Director at Kennedys’ Copenhagen office. She qualified in 2001 and was admitted to the High Court the same year.

Medea has extensive experience within insurance law and tort law from both private practice and from her years as in-house lawyer. Medea is specialised in Financial Lines claims, Professional Indemnity, Property and Cyber Insurance as well as Fraud. Medea is an experienced litigator with respect to both defence and coverage issues.

Anja Deleuran, senior insurance manager, Carlsberg

Thomes Brenøe, director, vice CEO, Insurance and Pension Denmark

Chris La Cour Valentin, head of financial lines, AIG

Francisco Castro, research editor, Legal 500

Francisco joined Legal 500 in August 2022, where he is part of the GC Powerlist series editorial team. His work focuses on researching, editing, and interviewing some of the most prominent and exceptional in-house counsel from the world’s largest companies. Francisco’s role also includes hosting a variety of in-person events, such as conferences, publication launches, roundtables, and one-on-one interviews, across multiple regions, all tailored specifically for the in-house legal community. He has also contributed to the Legal 500 webinar series, which delivers market-leading expertise through an engaging digital platform.

Beyond his work with Legal 500, Francisco has extensive research experience in Public Policy, Higher Education, and International Law. His additional academic interests include International Relations, Geopolitics, and International Humanitarian Law. Francisco is fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.