No founder has ever scaled without having to deal with the legal aspects of a business. It's just as inevitable as taxes. To help you prepare for potential legal unknowns, you need a legal counselor and we recently had one join our team 😃
So... let's take a peek.
Hi Erica, can you tell us a little about your background?
I am French and Swedish and was born and raised in France, not too far from Strasbourg where I studied for my bachelor's degree. I also studied for one year at the University Saint Joseph in Beirut, Lebanon. After that, I decided to move to Sweden to be closer to my family and took the opportunity to continue my law studies with a Master in European Business Law at Lund University.
Before working at Gigapay, I was a trainee at the Boards of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in Alicante, Spain. During my master’s degree, I also worked at Wåhlin, a Swedish law firm. It allowed me to engage in legal questions and work with great professionals. No doubt, it was one of the most priceless moments of my life - I kid you not 🙂
Can you comment on the food or cultural differences of having such a varied background?
My Swedish and French background has inevitably given me a love for both country’s culinary traditions. The food and drinks from both cultures quickly become a must-have. I could, for instance, not imagine spending a whole winter without eating my favorite raclette, fondue, or a well-garnished julbord. I have to admit, however, that I still have some issues with eating sill, lutfisk, and drinking snaps. 🙂
How did you become interested in legal counsel?
I think that I have always been very eager to learn new things. At a pretty young age, I've been interested in finding answers to the overwhelming amount of questions I was asking myself (and those around me).
As a law student, the hunger to learn as much as possible about different legal systems and cultures only intensified. I think that curiosity and dedication are big driving forces to working within the legal sector.
When I started, I found ways to get the answers to my questions and also help others which I found very fulfilling. Working as a legal counsel at a company such as Gigapay also enables me to widen my knowledge of the FinTech sector.
What experience do you feel has best prepared you as a legal counselor?
I'd say working for the EUIPO has given me the possibility to mature in the role of legal counsel.
Can you describe your proudest accomplishments in your legal career?
That must have been when I graduated with my master’s in European Business Law. The same day I also received an email informing me that I was admitted to the Pan European Seal traineeship at the EUIPO. It was a great day!
What do you find most challenging about your practice?
The most challenging part is probably that the answers to legal questions aren’t necessarily black or white. I have to keep reminding myself that there are grey areas usually based on context.
What are some of your passions and interests?
I love playing board games, reading, listening to music, watching documentaries, movies, and videos. When it comes to physical activities, I like to have long walks in the forest or along the sea. I just started playing padel and it has quickly become one of my favorite hobbies. I also like to train at the gym.
What is your favorite thing about Gigapay?
Gigapay is an innovative company with an interesting business idea. The Gigapay team consists of a group of very knowledgeable and motivated individuals. Everyone is kind, welcoming, and invested in making Gigapay expand to its fullest potential. I’m looking forward to having a great time. :)
Are you a cat or a dog person?
I like both, but the real answer is that I am more of a rabbit person. ;)
How do you define success?
Success means different things to different individuals. For me, success is when you achieve a set of objectives you were striving for. Success is usually associated with career objectives or sports. I'd like to think that it is much wider than that. It comprises personal and professional life. I always strive for success in everything I do. However, failure is not necessarily a bad thing as it can act as a stepping stone to my goals.
What advice will you give to people or businesses, especially regarding the legal aspect of running a business?
I believe that an open dialogue about the interaction between the legal aspects, the running of a business, and the commercial objectives is important. Also, collaboration is key; and combining different areas of expertise such as legal/financial/management/operational sets the conditions for a winning team. :)
