Can you tell us more about your role?

Richemont has a centralized legal function called Group Legal, which is comprised of commercial, intellectual property, privacy, digital and competition lawyers. I am part of the Intellectual Property (IP) department and am in the team which assists Cartier with all of its IP matters. The tasks we perform range from the validation and protection of collection names to negotiating agreements with artists on Cartier’s behalf, as well as advising the Maison on its marketing campaigns from an IP perspective.

What part of your mission are you most passionate about?

No day is the same! The guidance we provide Cartier with is on a large variety of matters and so it is constantly intellectually stimulating. In one morning, I will review an agreement with a new friend of the Maison, move on to the review of Cartier’s upcoming leather creations, and then on to validating names for a new jewelry collection.

What is the key to success in your role?

I would say that it is the ability to combine the typical skills required of a lawyer or legal counsel with an appreciation and understanding of where Cartier wants to go, and how we, as well as our tools and experience, can best accompany the Maison to do so.

What is one thing your team achieved that you are proud of?

We are lucky to be able to work with Cartier and our commercial law colleagues on exciting events that Cartier organizes across the world. It is really rewarding to see these projects once they come to fruition after all the hard work put into them by the Maison and with our contribution from a legal perspective, especially when they take place nearby and we can visit.

What are the key skills that you developed and mastered during your journey?

I find that a positive attitude helps break barriers and resolve issues. In addition, I have learned to become succinct in my communication style. I now know that being able to express advice in a few sentences, often with a relevant example, is much more valuable than a long review and analysis.

What do you like about living and working in Geneva?

Working in Geneva allows me to interact in my native language, English, as I am Australian, and also in French with colleagues from all over the world, which I love. The city itself is really beautiful and easy to navigate. And of course, we are at the gateway to some of the best mountains for skiing and hiking, but also close to Europe’s cultural hubs.