Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense? 

In order to save time for the legal department and improve awareness of other functions amongst colleagues, we developed an app and chat box that allows us to provide responses to recurring questions on legal and compliance aspects. The app is powered by AI.  

Can you foresee any key developments to the way general counsel work over the next five years? 

General counsel should continue supporting the organisations as business partners, closely understanding the business with a holistic view, and providing support as managers to the full organisation, not limited to legal issues; they should also embrace AI and other digital options, including exploring ChatGPT.  

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company? 

Sustainability is at the core of our mission. By 2025, our entire corporate fleet shall be composed solely of BEVs.  

How do you stay updated on the evolving regulatory landscape in Italy and ensure compliance with domestic laws, EU regulations, and industry-specific regulations? 

There are multiple sources necessary to remain updated on the evolving trends on regulatory and compliance aspects. On EU regulations there is obviously an update and in-depth analysis at corporate level. Law firms also usually provide a timely update on the main new legislations and trends. Moreover, being a member of associations (for instance, association of the pharmaceutical companies) helps to discuss and analyse the main legislations impacting the relevant sector.  

What steps do you take to ensure effective communication and collaboration with external counsel and other stakeholders during the dispute resolution process? 

Setting the strategy together, considering the company’s priorities and the full picture of opportunities and risks is key. Mutual collaboration and trust play a pivotal role in ensuring the general counsel is promptly updated by external counsels and accordingly inform relevant stakeholders.