Legal counsel | QEnergy
Elena Motta
Legal counsel | QEnergy
How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?
Given my legal advisory role in the renewable energy sector in Italy, I am very familiar with operating in contexts marked by instability and crisis. This is particularly true in light of the significant regulatory changes introduced by both national and regional lawmakers in recent years, as well as the resulting administrative case law.
In such a dynamic and often unpredictable environment, I believe that staying constantly informed and up to date is essential. This enables the business to anticipate challenges, understand legal risks clearly, and make well-informed decisions.
My approach is therefore based on deep legal insight and ongoing monitoring of regulatory and judicial developments. At the same time, I ensure that legal advice is not only cautious, but also aligned with the organisation’s strategic goals – supporting decisions that are responsible, timely, and business-oriented, to help the company remain resilient in any circumstance.
What are the major cases or transactions you have been involved in recently?
In my day-to-day work, I am actively involved in the development, acquisition, sale, and financing of renewable energy plants located across Italy. This means my role requires constant legal oversight and the ability to adapt quickly to a highly dynamic and regulated environment. My daily challenge is to ensure that every legally relevant aspect of these operations is handled effectively – always with a business-oriented approach.
I have also taken part (and I am constantly involved) in several acquisition processes concerning ready-to-build photovoltaic projects or portfolios. In these deals, I coordinate internal due diligence activities and work closely with the sellers, as well as with top-tier legal and technical advisors from both national and international firms. I place great value on building strong, collaborative relationships with all stakeholders involved, as I believe that mutual trust and clear communication are essential to the success of any deal.
I truly enjoy being part of the commercial process while maintaining a strong legal perspective, and I strive to add value not just by mitigating risks, but also by facilitating smooth and constructive negotiations.
What emerging technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future, and how do you stay updated on these developments?
While it may sound like an obvious answer, I believe artificial intelligence (AI) is the emerging technology that will have the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future. Over the past year in particular, AI has rapidly expanded across virtually every sector, and it is increasingly making its way into legal workflows as well.
If properly managed and thoughtfully integrated, I see great potential in AI to support and enhance both the quality and efficiency of my work and that of the broader legal team in Italy. For this reason, I am very open to experimenting with AI tools specifically designed to assist with legal document analysis, case law research, and due diligence processes.
We have started testing some of these tools with a critical approach, carefully assessing their reliability, accuracy, and real-world usability. While AI is unlikely to replace the human judgment and nuanced reasoning that legal work often requires, I believe it can be an excellent complement, especially for repetitive or time-consuming tasks.
To stay informed, I regularly attend webinars and legal tech events, follow specialised publications, and engage in knowledge sharing with peers and professionals who are also exploring these innovations. I find it important to keep an open mindset while also maintaining a high standard of legal rigor and responsibility, especially as these technologies continue to evolve.
How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment?
Creating a healthy, collaborative, honest, and respectful work environment has always been a top priority for me. I strongly believe in commitment and dedication, and I never hold back professionally. However, I also consider it essential to remain attentive to the personal needs of colleagues. I couldn’t thrive in a workplace where this principle isn’t respected, and I actively strive to reflect these values in how I interact with others, both within the legal team and across the organisation. For me, inclusion is a natural and essential part of professional life.