Senior legal manager, real estate and infrastructure, EMEA | EQUINIX
General counsel, reservoir performance division | Schlumberger
General counsel and senior vice president, corporate M&A | TotalEnergies
Executive vice president, legal affairs and internal audit | Bureau Veritas Group
Group general counsel | LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton
Group general counsel and secretary of the advisory board | Groupe BPCE
Group general counsel, vice president legal, risks and compliance, company secretary | Colas Group
Group general secretary and general counsel | Expleo Group
Vice president legal - general counsel region Northern Europe | Saint-Gobain
Executive vice president and general counsel | Veolia Environnement
General counsel, Europe and global head of legal watch, regulatory and ESG | Crédit Agricole CIB
General corporate secretary and secretary of the board | Rexel
President of the AFJE (Association rançaise des Juristes d'Entreprises) | Association rançaise des Juristes d'Entreprises
General counsel and member of the management board in charge of legal, compliance, sustainability, and regulatory affairs | Natixis
General counsel and corporate secretary, member of the Airbus executive committee, chairman of Airbus UK | Airbus
Global head of competition law and general counsel, France | ArcelorMittal
Executive vice president legal, secretary of the board | Groupe SEB
Chief legal officer, secretary to the board of directors, member of the Renault Group’s leadership team | Renault Group
General counsel for EMEA, for IP/IT and global vendors | Ipsos
Vice president, group general counsel and company secretary | Dassault Systemes
Executive director legal and compliance, audits and risks, professional interaction excellence | Roche
Group corporate social responsibility director and general counsel | Verallia
On behalf of The Legal 500, I am truly delighted to introduce the GC Powerlist: France 2023. This edition celebrates the remarkable talents and achievements of France’s leading in-house counsel, and gives insight on the roles they play in contributing to the growth and development of the companies and industries in which they operate, while navigating unprecedented changes in the legal environment.
The second edition since the Covid-19 pandemic, this compilation explores how in-house legal professionals continue to adapt to and manage crises, especially in the face of other major events that have had global unprecedented impacts on regulatory environments, industries, and the very role of the legal function.
It also showcases the impressive cases and transactions spearheaded by these individuals, alongside their views on various phenomena impacting the legal sector, such as the evolving role of the general counsel, and the emergence of novel technologies that have transformed the work they do.
On this, Jean-Michel Orion, Radio France states, “[i]n the face of digital transformation, legal directors will have to continue to adapt to the rapid evolution of technology. This means managing the legal challenges associated with data protection, cybersecurity and the use of artificial intelligence in the legal field.”
According to, Maï Novello, group deputy chief legal and compliance officer at SCOR, they will need “[a]gility and versatility, as well as an appetite to push the boundaries of their traditional way of working in a fast-changing environment.”
As general counsel take on this challenge, they will be aided by the imminent acknowledgement and implementation of legal privilege, a welcome development that will no doubt, support advice issued by general counsel, and allow them to better secure the interests of their company.
In line with the seemingly endless crises the world has been experiencing, this edition contains various strategies these esteemed counsel employ to mitigate risks and protect their companies. While it is an unspoken rule to pre-empt and manage potential challenges, it is also equally (if not more) important to have a crisis management plan in place – especially one that all team members can follow cohesively.
Manuel Mesquita, head of legal corporate at Auchan Retail International says it best: “The worst thing that can happen in a time of crisis is when each member of the team takes isolated initiatives because actions may conflict and lead to an increase in workload.” Sharif Abousaada, group general counsel at Maurel & Prom adds, “I truly believe that we are stronger together and that it is important to leverage the experience and creativity of all members of the team in a crisis situation.”
Echoing the widely accepted view that the legal function should double as business partners, the approaches also include extensive engagements with stakeholders and business leaders, such as the CEO.
The interviews in this edition of The GC Powerlist: France 2023 also provide extensive views on widely popular trends that the legal industry is currently experiencing – contract automation, increased focus on ESG strategies – and how these highly skilled professionals are leveraging their roles in driving these developments and making positive contributions, while remaining conscious of operating within ethical, compliance and regulatory parameters.
We would like to congratulate and express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who featured in this edition, and graciously contributed their time and insights to make this year’s rundown on France’s elite in-house counsel a success.
Funke Olufon| Research Analyst The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Series
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into legal practice represents a transformative shift, reshaping traditional paradigms and unlocking new possibilities. On March 20th, The Legal 500, in collaboration with Freeths, convened a dynamic roundtable discussion titled ‘AI Revolution: Transforming Businesses and Legal Practice’. Held at Freeths’ offices in Birmingham and moderated by Nick Pryor, director of knowledge management, the event served as a forum for legal professionals to delve into the multifaceted implications of AI adoption in the legal sphere.
The roundtable discussion commenced with an exploration of the creation of legal AI strategies and operational planning. In-house counsel, representing a diverse array of organisations, embarked on a deep dive into the nuances of crafting AI strategies tailored to meet the strategic priorities of their respective businesses. Discussions centred on the challenges and opportunities inherent in managing legal risks associated with AI adoption, as well as the intricacies of change management and ideation processes. Participants exchanged insights gleaned from their own experiences, offering practical perspectives on navigating the evolving landscape of AI integration in legal practice.
A focal point of the discussion was the impact of generative AI on commercial law practice. Attendees explored how generative AI technologies are revolutionising traditional approaches to legal research, document review, and contract analysis. Speakers shared real-world use cases and practical applications of AI in improving client outcomes and streamlining workload management. From predictive analytics to natural language processing, the breadth of AI capabilities showcased underscored its potential to drive efficiencies and enhance the delivery of legal services.
As the conversation unfolded, participants turned their gaze towards the future, contemplating the evolving landscape of AI adoption in the legal profession. Discussions touched upon the anticipated trends and challenges that lie ahead, including the need to continually reassess expertise and skill sets in light of technological advancements. With the rapid pace of innovation in AI, legal professionals expressed a collective commitment to staying abreast of emerging trends and embracing a mindset of adaptability and continuous learning.
Throughout the roundtable discussion, participants exchanged insights and perspectives, fostering a collaborative atmosphere conducive to knowledge exchange and networking. Reflecting on the event, one attendee remarked: ‘The topic was very relevant, and it was really interesting to hear the extent to which other organisations, and in-house legal teams, are already utilising AI. Nick Pryor was very knowledgeable, and I certainly left with more insight into AI than I had when I arrived. Overall, a very successful event’. Another participant echoed similar sentiments, stating, ‘The discussions were insightful, and the content provided valuable
information and food for thought’. The event definitely served as a catalyst for deeper exploration and collaboration within the legal community.
Following the conclusion of the roundtable discussion, attendees continued their conversations over a three-course meal at Hotel du Vin, further solidifying connections and fostering collaboration. The event’s success in facilitating meaningful dialogue and networking opportunities underscores the value of collaborative endeavours in navigating the complexities of the AI-driven legal landscape.
As the legal industry continues to evolve in the digital age, forums like these play a crucial role in fostering collaboration, innovation, and adaptation. Looking ahead, we remain committed to facilitating dialogue and collaboration within the legal community, as we collectively navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by the AI revolution.