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 instability or crises, I prioritize a legal strategy that directly supports business growth targets and secures our license to operate. This involves close alignment with the broader business strategy to ensure resilience, while proactively assessing and balancing risks from emerging developments. The legal department plays a critical role in enabling continuity by adapting contractual frameworks, ensuring regulatory compliance, and providing agile guidance that empowers decision-making under pressure, all while safeguarding trust and operational integrity.

What are the main cases or transactions that you have been involved in recently?

Microsoft’s technologies. cloud, AI, and data analytics transform the public sector by boosting efficiency, cutting costs, and enhancing citizen services. Improved data handling and cybersecurity foster trust and responsiveness. The Swiss legal department ensures compliance with local laws, adapts contracts to meet regional needs, and supports public sector adoption of cloud and AI. I’ve led several key deals and framework agreement negotiations in public and regulated industries, contributing to Microsoft’s strategic impact in Switzerland and empowering the public sector to use the latest technology.

I led two of the largest deals in Microsoft Switzerland’s history.

The AI Customer Initiative (AICI), led by me in Switzerland, is a global Microsoft Legal program accelerating AI adoption, especially Copilot and Azure OpenAI, across sectors. It engages law firms, in-house teams, and strategic customers through workshops, envisioning, and skilling sessions. By sharing Microsoft’s AI journey and creating demos, we’re redefining the lawyer’s role. I’m recognized as a thought leader in Switzerland, driving legal innovation and transformation. Together with the Microsoft Legal team, we’re committed to democratizing AI, building trust, and upskilling our community.

How is your in-house legal function strengthening corporate governance in response to evolving expectations around transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement in Switzerland?

We advance governance in Switzerland by fostering transparency, engaging proactively with regulators, and driving responsible innovation. In line with Microsoft’s global commitments, we publish a broad range of transparency materials, including notes, audit and law enforcement reports, and CSR disclosures. We maintain active dialogue with Swiss authorities such as FINMA and data protection regulators to ensure alignment with local standards. Through the local implementation of Microsoft’s Responsible AI Standard and collaboration via platforms like Innovate Switzerland, we promote accountable AI and cloud practices across industry, academia, and government. These efforts collectively enable us to meet, and anticipate, evolving expectations for openness, compliance, and ethical technology deployment.

What do you see as the major legal challenges for businesses in Switzerland over the next five years, and how are you preparing to address them?

Over the next five years, businesses in Switzerland will face significant legal challenges stemming from evolving cross-boarder and national regulations, digital sovereignty concerns, and escalating cybersecurity risks. Simultaneously, the geopolitical climate increased the complexity for globally operating companies. Cyber threats continue to rise, demanding robust legal strategies for incident response and risk mitigation. To address these challenges, we are proactively engaging with relevant stakeholders, including legislators, and transforming our legal operations through AI and technology. This approach ensures that our legal team, which will not receive additional resources, can meet growing demands and complexity with speed and high quality.