After developing her early career at Clifford Chance's Düsseldorf offices, Vanessa has taken on a variety of roles since moving to Merck. She is currently Head of Group Legal Services.
Vanessa's legal journey began with her studies in Heidelberg, where a professor advised
“ Find a niche that would make you stand out in the market. ”
Drawn to the health and life sciences sector, Vanessa joined Clifford Chance right as the firm was going through a merger. This timing provided her with the invaluable opportunity to learn from partners, counsels, and associates from both firms.
Vanessa was mentored by Dr. Ulrich Reese and Dr. Peter Dieners, who had distinct styles that contributed to her professional development. Vanessa encourages juniors to start their careers at an international law firm like Clifford Chance, citing the exceptional foundation it provides
“ The general atmosphere and team spirit was amazing – the fundament of legal & project experience you get really helps you develop towards your career goal. ”
The supportive and collaborative atmosphere at the firm allowed Vanessa to thrive, despite often being thrown challenges - she recalls an early, nerve-wracking experience as a junior lawyer where she had to personally deliver a termination letter to a general manager in his private home.
After gaining extensive experience at Clifford Chance, Vanessa was headhunted by Merck, a company closer to her hometown and with a strong focus on healthcare and life sciences. The opportunity to change roles frequently within Merck kept her engaged and challenged, allowing her to explore the whole life cycle of a medicinal product in Healthcare Legal and various areas such as compliance and data privacy systems.
When approached to take up her current position of Head of Group Legal Services, she was initially sceptical about moving to a more corporate/M&A aligned position. Vanessa was reassured that this role was more about her leadership and stakeholder management skills over her specific legal expertise in the area. These skills had been instilled during her time at Clifford Chance & Merck – collaborating in close teams and being pushed out of her comfort zone. This role allows Vanessa to think outside the box and provide innovative solutions, while helping her team navigate through transformation journeys.
“ A core foundation was laid at Clifford Chance. I always tell trainees to first join an international law firm after they finish their second exam. You'll be so well equipped for the future – it builds the groundwork for whatever you want to do. ”
Vanessa's career path was not meticulously planned, but rather shaped by the opportunities and mentors she encountered. She advises others to be brave enough to explore new things and remain open to different possibilities:
“ When you have a plan, it can narrow your options – you need to be open to exploring opportunities in order to develop. ”
Beyond legal expertise, Vanessa underlined the importance of developing leadership and coaching skills:
“ Lawyers love to be experts – as leader, you can't just rely on your legal expertise. You have to develop other skills, especially leadership and coaching. You'll come to a point in your career where you need to ask yourself 'are you happy with being an expert, or do you want to be a true people leader? ”
Vanessa finds it easy to stay connected with her mentors and colleagues from Clifford Chance, such as Dr. Gunnar Sachs, Ulrich, and Peter, and is keen to be a mentor herself. She attends alumni events wherever possible, and often collaborates with her old colleagues through joint initiatives. Vanessa values the friendships forged during her time at the firm, noting:
“ You have friends forever when you work at such a law firm, as you work so closely together. ”
Vanessa Westphal's journey exemplifies the power of adaptability, mentorship, and continuous learning. She encourages readers to embrace change and seize the opportunities that come their way.
