Team size: 23

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

We concluded $7.6bn acquisition of Bayer Animal Health and integrated the business which moved Elanco to number two among global animal health companies with an annual revenue close to $5bn.

How do you feel the pandemic has changed the world of work for in-house counsel and the function of the general counsel?

The pandemic, despite its many downsides, had the positive effect of demonstrating that flexible working arrangements are not necessarily to the detriment of the company. My team members are free to choose when and where they work, as long as the work gets done. We all appreciate that flexibility helps balance professional and private lives, and we have found ways to connect personally through digital means.

What will be the main focus for the company in the next 12 months and how do you intend to assist with this?

The changing environment in animal farming due to climate change concerns and a focus on greater efficiency and sustainability in animal protein production are top priorities for the industry in general. Further, innovation and the development of new products to better serve existing needs or address unmet needs in both farm and companion animals. The legal team plays a crucial role in driving to achieve these goals with legal and contractual compliance.

What do you feel are the pros and cons of an in-house legal role compared to a private practice one?

Having worked both in private practice for 10 years and in-house for the last 12, I see the main difference in the private practice lawyer being a hyper-focused subject matter expert for multiple industries and companies while the in-house lawyer is often a generalist in various legal areas, with a hyper-focus on a specific company and industry.