Team size: four

First, can you please give us an idea of the sort of work your team has done recently?

My team and I have recently been involved in a series of projects concerning the Austrian branch. We have had a crucial role in supporting the development of the McDonald’s loyalty app, especially concerning data privacy. We have also promoted the implementation of the whistleblower directive to the franchisees.

The pandemic has brought several challenges, but we successfully supported our franchisees by implementing reduced working hours and ensuring the protection of employees, creating awareness, and providing clear information on changing regulations and restrictions, as well as governmental support programmes.

The legal department has worked to guarantee the protection of the McDonald’s system and brand. We have assisted the managing directors, advising on business-related matters, and acting as risk managers, giving clear recommendations. We supported the expansion in Austria and new locations through real estate purchases, negotiations, contracts and permits. Additionally, we cooperated with other departments to establish a strategic working group comprising McDonald’s and franchisees to respond to structural staff shortages.

Being the regional counsel for six EU-DL markets — Malta, Romania, Greece, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia —I have provided support and counselling to in-house teams in those markets. I have been giving training and materials. I have also worked closely with the European leadership team in the six markets.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

In-house lawyers must act as business partners to deeply understand the company and provide the best tailored advice at the very beginning of the project. Internal counsel must offer solutions rather than pointing out problems. They must adopt a pragmatic approach and be solution oriented.

If you had to give advice to an aspiring in-house lawyer or general counsel, what would it be and why?

The advice I would give is to be willing to understand the work of other departments. Foster cross-department cooperation to ensure legal as a trusted business partner who gets involved at the initial stages of the projects and proactively asks the right questions and gives the appropriate answers. In-house lawyers must be open to continuous learning and should not restrict themselves. Acting with clarity, transparency, and reliability will be essential to earning a permanent seat at the table.