Pauline

After studying notarial law, I was quickly drawn to the role of in-house counsel, which allows you to be at the heart of real-life business challenges, working closely with operational teams.
What appealed to me most was the mix of legal work, strategic advice, and involvement in the company’s day-to-day operations.
I joined SMCP in 2019 as a Senior Business Law Counsel. Three years later, I became Legal Manager — a great recognition of the work I had accomplished and the commitment I’ve always brought to my role.

In my view, a good legal manager must above all demonstrate rigor and strong legal analysis skills — the fundamental building blocks of the profession.
But in retail, that’s not enough: you also need to understand operational challenges, be curious and responsive, speak the same language as the teams, and provide concrete, pragmatic solutions tailored to real-world needs.
Finally, two essential qualities are listening and pedagogy: a good legal counsel knows how to explain clearly and support the business without slowing it down.

What I love most is that I’m never bored! At SMCP, no two days or cases are ever the same — thanks to the variety and richness of the topics we handle. You constantly have to juggle priorities, address complex issues, and adapt quickly. I love that fast-paced, vibrant rhythm — it’s typical of retail.
The trust I’m given is a real driver for me: it pushes me to give my best, to handle each case and negotiate every issue as if the company were my own.
But above all, I work with an amazing team: skilled, caring, united, and always in good spirits. Mutual support is a core value, and this collective energy makes each day even more rewarding — and that’s something truly special.

What I’m most proud of is learning how to be agile at SMCP. Some situations call for being a “Swiss army knife”: stepping outside your job description, adapting quickly, and finding solutions.
The Covid-19 period, for instance, was especially intense. Everything had to be rethought overnight — priorities, ways of working, and partner relations.
I remember having countless discussions with our landlords to build pragmatic solutions, while internal communication was fast-paced and full of solidarity. Supporting one another quickly became the priority.
More than anything, that period taught me to rely on the strength of the collective.

Caring, dynamic, and trusting.