Life Science Law – A Team of Industry Legal Experts Series

10th January 2022

LS Law has a great team of industry expert lawyers at all levels, from General Counsel solicitors with over 20 yrs of experience, mid-level lawyers (4-10 years experience) and paralegals. What they all have is experience working within the pharmaceutical/life sciences industry, and are ready and willing to offer support to our clients on an interim placement/project by project basis.

We provide a top-quality, cost-effective legal resourcing solution to life science firms; which ensures the fast turn-around of work is not affected through team attrition, or an unexpected increase in the volume of work coming through from the business; which in turn, means its reputation of providing high quality, seamless support to the business remains in intact.

In October last year, we began our series of blogs, introducing our team, to provide you with a snapshot of the various levels of experience we offer, and what differentiates Life Science Law as the “go-to” legal consultancy firm, able to plug temporary gaps in your under-resourced legal department, whether that’s due to an uptick in work, or a member of the existing team leaving; and an insight into what they enjoy about working with Life Science Law.

Today we talk to Juliana Ospina Gonzalez, a qualified Columbian lawyer with 5yrs post qualification international legal experience, including a post at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Juliana is also taking the QLTS Exams in early 2022, which will enable her to practice as a UK qualified Solicitor.

LS Law’s Juliana Ospina Gonzalez & Her Career in the Life Sciences Industry

What attracted you to LS Law?

LS Law has a modern setup and is very forward-thinking. The focus of the business is on the client. Every client is treated uniquely and an individual plan is pulled together to fulfil each client’s business needs.

What’s Been Your Experience of Working at LS Law?

I find the informal, personable approach of the business very refreshing, and enjoy the broad experience offered where I can work on different projects and with different clients, with the backup of an experienced team behind me.

I assist our clients and the team on a remote basis, and the LS management team has made it very smooth for everyone to use digital tools in the best way to deliver our projects on time, disregarding any geographical time differences and the burden of having to travel. This shows a valuable support element that has helped me to feel part of a collaborative and open-minded team.

Can You Tell Us a Little About the Kind of Work You Have Been Doing for LS Law?

In 2021, I assisted LS Law with the preparation of conference material slides regarding the journey a medicinal product will take to be placed on the UK market and the reclassification of prescription-only medicines (POMs) to over-the-counter medicines (OTCs). I have also supported an LS Law client in understanding the parameters a pharmaceutical company must adhere to in promoting prescription-only medicines in the UK.

I have also had the great challenge and opportunity to support LS Law with producing a data privacy policy and terms of use for an e-commerce website that provides OTC women’s health medicines and providing analysis as to the legal basis of the processing of personal data relating thereto.

Where Did You Study the Law?

Growing up in Colombia, I studied Law at the University of La Sabana and was then encouraged by my Legal English Professor to continue my studies in the UK, so I moved to the UK and studied for my GDL & LPC at the University of BPP Law School in London.

While working at the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development in Colombia, I assisted in the creation of a note with an international environment focus, which confirmed to me that I wanted to be exposed to a global environment. I have worked in both Columbia and the UK as an international lawyer and hold a strong comprehension of business and law in both Colombia and the UK.

How Was Your Interest in the Life Sciences Industry Sparked?

My parents both work in a private Health Centre in Colombia, and my sister is also a Doctor – so the industry is definitely running through my family! Working for Thermo Fisher Scientific in Colombia developed that passion for the industry further, highlighting how I could assist in improving lives and developing products that help people.

What’s the Biggest Buzz You Get from Your Work?

The end result of the project. I love working in a collaborative team, with everyone pulling together to achieve the same business goal.

Tell Us About Some of the Highlights in Your Career.

One of my career highlights so far has been leaving Colombia to start a new life in London to study English Law and working for Powell Spencer’s legal team in London. Another was working as Legal Counsel for Thermo Fisher Scientific in Colombia and supporting many other Latin American Countries as part of my role.

What Challenges Do You See for the Industry in 2022?

The main challenge I see is the need to speed up the drug development process, post-Covid we have all developed new ways of working collaboratively and we need to take this into how we can improve processes to save time and bring products to market faster. Identifying regulatory and market changes in the UK and globally and building relationships with external experts to have access to knowledge and new technology will be key to support our current and future UK pharmaceutical clients to overcome that challenge.

And Outside of Work?

I love to cook and spend quality time with my friends and family. I also try to exercise regularly in the gym or spinning. I also love to read and travel.

To find out how LS Law and our team can help your business – please email info@lslaw.co.uk or visit visit our Services page.

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Life Science Law – A Team of Industry Legal Experts Series – Juliana Ospina Gonzalez