Team size: 15 (10 Italy + 5 abroad)

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?

Our team is well structured and trained to work under pressure either caused by intense work or periods of instability. We constantly strengthen collaboration within the team, through weekly meetings to organize work and manage urgent tasks. And, above all, I personally take care of the workload of each member of the team, with dedicated one-to-one interactions, ensuring motivation and a good level of involvement in high profile activities.

We work closely with the most relevant functions (HR, Finance and M&A), in order to coordinate with the most significant processes of business activity. We always focus on providing our stakeholders with adequate response time and effectiveness.

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?

BIP has adopted a comprehensive set of policies, objectives, and governance strategies aimed at ensuring the sustainability of both its business and organisational operations, as outlined annually in its Sustainability Report. The core measures focus on reducing emissions, promoting sustainable mobility, improving waste reduction and proper waste management, advancing digitalisation and dematerialisation, and fostering sustainable procurement.

In my capacity as General Counsel, I am also responsible for the “Integrated Management System” (Sistema di Gestione Integrata) and for ensuring compliance with all associated certifications. Among those relating to sustainability are: ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System), SA 8000 (Corporate Social Responsibility), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety), and ISO 14064-1 (Greenhouse Gas Emissions Quantification).

In this role, I work closely with the ESG Manager to ensure synergies and coordination in the development and maintenance of sustainability guidelines, and to define the necessary controls, policies, and procedures.

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 legal profession is already being deeply impacted by the use of AI in its various applications. We continually invest time and attention into exploring new tools that can support our activities—ranging from legal operations management and legal research to contract drafting and more complex functions.

However, the greatest challenge we face—and the area where I personally focus much of my effort—is finding the right balance between embracing technology and supporting our people, particularly junior team members, to ensure they continue their learning journey and do not fear innovation.

Our guiding principle is that “technology does not replace human beings but helps them to perform better and to address tasks that may not have been effectively managed in the past.”

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?

In BIP Group’s Legal & Compliance Department, diversity and inclusion are naturally embedded: two-thirds of our team members are women. We place strong emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, while also assigning each team member challenging objectives that promote both personal and professional growth.

At Group level, we run a variety of initiatives focused on employee wellbeing and inclusion. Personally, I dedicate significant time to listening to team members’ feedback, responding thoughtfully to their needs, and fostering a supportive and respectful working environment. I also make time to share moments of connection with the team, which helps strengthen our culture of inclusion and mutual respect.