Chief regional counsel EMEA and EMEA-based businesses | BD Switzerland Sarl

Jennifer Stangl
Chief regional counsel EMEA and EMEA-based businesses | BD Switzerland Sarl
Team size: 25
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?
In times of crisis, I focus on pragmatic, business-aligned legal strategies that enable swift, compliant decision-making. In the life sciences sector, where patient impact and regulatory complexity are high, I ensure legal advice is clear, actionable and supports continuity. I work closely with leadership to embed legal risk management into strategic planning, helping the business adapt while maintaining integrity. Supporting my team is key; I foster a culture of trust and autonomy so they can act decisively and confidently under pressure.
How is your in-house legal function strengthening corporate governance in response to evolving expectations around transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement in Switzerland?
We are strengthening governance by embedding legal into strategic decision-making and operational processes. My team works closely with business leaders to ensure policies and practices reflect evolving standards, particularly in areas such as ESG, data privacy and ethical compliance. We focus on clarity, accountability and cross-functional collaboration, not just advising but shaping governance frameworks that build trust and resilience. Internally, I foster a culture of ownership and integrity, ensuring the legal function leads by example.
What do you see as the major legal challenges for businesses in Switzerland over the next five years, and how are you preparing to address them?
Businesses in Switzerland will face increasing legal complexity driven by geopolitical uncertainty, regulatory change and the rapid integration of AI into daily operations. Managing legal risk in this environment requires agility, foresight and strong change leadership. I focus on building a resilient legal function that can adapt quickly, balancing innovation with compliance. A key priority is keeping the legal team stable and engaged, even amid transformation. This means investing in team development, fostering a collaborative culture and ensuring we stay ahead of emerging legal trends, especially around AI governance and cross-border risk.