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International In-house Counsel Journal logoInternational In-house Counsel Journal logo

Being not Just a General Counsel but also a Commercial Advisor

Abstract

I am glad to share my experience and the challenges I am facing today, as the general counsel of a pharmaceutical company but not only that. I have been an in-house counsel for more than 18 years and built my experience in many different fields: I started as a practicing lawyer in a law firm specialized in maritime law, then, upon admittance to the Bar, I moved into my first company role as an in-house lawyer. I have since changed companies several times, working in-house in raw materials trading, then in finance, then in medical devices maintenance and, finally, I reached pharma trading… Well, it has been a pretty varied experience, I am happy about all that I learnt over the years and the chance I had to be part of so many different projects and businesses. It was clear to me from day one that the right place for me was in a company rather than in a Tribunal. Creating business was, and is, amazing.

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Author

Portrait image of Viola Teppati
Viola Teppati
Corporate Lawyer and Key Account Manager, Contrad Swiss SA, Switzerland

Viola Teppati has worked in many different fields as general counsel/head of legal office, from shipping and tourism to trading, medical equipments and today she works in a pharmaceutical company. Last year she received the award as "in-house counsel of the year" by the ACC Switzerland.

Company

Contrad Swiss SA logo

Contrad Swiss SA

Contrad Swiss SA is developing its brand new products under the technology of dr. Jo Serrentino. The technology is based on regenerative medicine, which apply to develop comsetic products, medical devices and drugs.

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