How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

My approach is based on being proactive and closely aligned with the business. During such periods, I believe the legal function must go beyond identifying risks and focus on providing clear, practical guidance that enables the organisation to make informed decisions while protecting its interests and ensuring business continuity. 

This involves maintaining close communication with the shareholders, Board of Directors, executive team and relevant business areas; identifying potential legal, regulatory, financial and operational risks at an early stage; and working alongside internal teams and external advisers to assess available alternatives and define appropriate courses of action. 

I also believe that preparation and flexibility are essential to organisational resilience. Whether dealing with financing matters, corporate restructurings, regulatory challenges or changes in the business environment, the objective is to anticipate potential implications, preserve MXT’s strategic options and ensure that decisions are implemented within an appropriate legal and governance framework. 

Ultimately, my role is to provide the organisation with a balanced perspective, combining sound legal judgement with a practical understanding of the business, so that the company can navigate uncertainty, respond effectively to challenges and remain focused on its long-term objectives. 

General counsel often speak of the need to be strategic to reach the pinnacle of the profession. What does being strategic mean to you?

To me, being strategic means understanding the business, its priorities and long-term objectives, and ensuring that the legal function contributes to achieving them. It is about being involved in decisions from an early stage, anticipating potential risks and identifying practical alternatives rather than simply reacting to issues as they arise. 

I believe a General Counsel should be able to balance legal protection with business needs, understanding that the best legal solution is not always the most conservative one, but the one that allows MXT to move forward while appropriately managing its risks. 

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

I believe the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel are sound legal judgement, business understanding, adaptability and effective communication. 

Legal knowledge and technical expertise are essential, but they must be complemented by the ability to understand the MXT business model, its priorities and its challenges. In-house counsel must be practical, solution-oriented and capable of translating complex legal matters into clear advice that helps business teams make informed decisions. 

A good in-house lawyer should be approachable and collaborative, while also having the confidence to raise concerns and challenge decisions when necessary. 

In my view, the most effective in-house counsel are those who combine strong legal expertise with commercial awareness and a genuine understanding of the business.