Technology, Innovation & the Law: An Interview with Federica Vons
Posted: 10 1 月, 2020
Federica Vons first discovered her passion for technology and innovation law in her first job, at the largest law firm in Argentina. She now works as the Global Legal Manager of Data, IP and Compliance at ZX Ventures, where the art of her job lies in combining the expertise and resources of the world’s largest brewer with the flexibility and speed (“and adrenaline!”) of a startup—a balancing of two worlds that makes for a fascinating legal career.
What drew you to ZX?
I came across ZX entirely by chance. LinkedIn suggested that I might be interested in a job opening at ZX…and I was! At the time, I wasn’t even looking to change roles, but as soon as I read about the company I knew it was the place for me.
What was your background before joining?
I started my career at the largest law firm in Argentina, where I quickly discovered my passion for innovation and new technologies. In 2013, I took a job at Disney, where I worked in creative industries & IT law.
During that time, I never stopped studying. This area of the law is ever-changing (and highly intellectually stimulating!), which keeps me on my toes. There’s always more to learn. I was lucky enough specialize in these areas of the law at different education centers around the world: the UK (London School of Economics), US (Harvard, Brown), Hong Kong (Chinese University) and Argentina (San Andrés).
What has your journey been like since joining?
Opportunities at ZX are endless, and my journey in the company is a good example of this. In two years’ time, I’ve taken on three exciting roles. I started as a Legal Manager for Europe, then broadened my scope to cover Corporate Affairs, and now I am part of the Global Legal Team, specializing in Data, IP and Compliance. ZX in general is a fast-paced, consumer-centric environment, with an ever-growing portfolio of super cool brands and genuinely committed to make a positive impact in the world.
By far, the people are the best part of my day. My colleagues are bright, ambitious, and show up to work with diverse perspectives and a “dream bigger” attitude every single day. They turn what seems an impossible challenge into a reality, and I really am happy to be part of this family!
What is your favorite thing about working at ZX?
My favorite part is getting out into the field and learning more about the businesses we support. It’s truly energizing, and I am convinced that nothing beats face-to-face interaction to understand what the challenges are and how can we best support our colleagues. More than legal experts, at ZX we believe in being strategic business partners. If you combine this hands-on approach with the absolutely fascinating matters that I work on (many of them, at the forefront of innovation, where there is little or no law written yet), being a ZX lawyer is certainly the dream for a legal innovation enthusiast!