Pinder is General Counsel – Global Sales, Digital & Market Europe at adidas, where he leads legal support for both global commercial operations and an €8bn+ European business. He is responsible for a multi-jurisdictional team of lawyers, covering a wide range of cross-border legal, regulatory and governance matters.
Since joining adidas, he has held a number of senior legal roles across the organisation. His work has focused on supporting the growth and development of the European business, with legal input closely aligned to commercial priorities.
A core part of his role is advising on high-value commercial contracts and negotiations, often spanning multiple jurisdictions. This includes supporting key partnerships and strategic commercial arrangements, as well as providing input on contractual structures and risk allocation.
In addition to his regional responsibilities, he also leads teams that provide legal support for Global sales and digital channels. His work in this area covers key contractual arrangements, competition law, regulatory requirements and governance considerations in a cross-border context.
Pinder works closely with senior stakeholders across the business, with legal input typically integrated into broader commercial and strategic discussions. As a member of the Europe senior leadership team, he contributes to business planning and decision-making alongside his legal responsibilities.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

Judgement is central, particularly in knowing which issues genuinely matter and which do not. In-house lawyers are often dealing with incomplete information and competing pressures, so the ability to provide clear, usable advice in that context is key. Equally important is the ability to work alongside the business rather than at a distance — understanding commercial drivers, engaging early in discussions and helping to shape outcomes, rather than simply reacting to them.
That also requires a degree of flexibility — both in adapting to evolving commercial circumstances and in responding to changes in how legal services are delivered, without losing clarity of judgement.