Features

Marine Assadollahi – Fives Group

No ceiling can obstruct her ascent

Breaking through one glass ceiling is enough challenge for most anyone, but Marine Assadollahi seems to have left a few in shards and hopes she’s set an example in the process. Women still rarely head legal departments in industrial engineering.

But Assadollahi has more than acquitted herself since 2015 as general counsel for the North American interests of the French-based industrial engineering group, Fives (pronounced “Feeve”).  She’s provided legal expertise and corporate guidance to senior executives and weighed in on complex contracting arrangements, domestic and international.

Marine Assadollahi | Fives Group

Marine Assadollahi | General Counsel for North America |  Fives Group

She’s also managed claims, disputes and negotiations that frequently involve multiple parties and jurisdictions, cross-culturally, demonstrating successful outcomes. Compliance always paramount, Assadollahi has ensured the company’s adherence to the evolving rules and regulations across many borders.

Something to build on

It’s quite a legacy to sustain, she says about the multinational business with a history dating to 1812 and a portfolio that includes projects from the Eiffel Tower elevators to a rocket assembly automation project. Fives is involved in industries including steel, aerospace, energy, cement and many more, for which it provides technology and services.

As the company drives tangible innovation, Assadollahi frequently negotiates complex industry projects involving intellectual property and other intricate matters. A successful negotiation, she says, starts first from within the company with an internal team of technical and supporting experts.

“Global legal matters can be very challenging,” Assadollahi reminds, noting the differences between legal approaches and cultures. “Working in different parts of the world requires demonstrating a level of flexibility to bridge the gap that can exist between the parties.”

Collaborative and solution oriented

One major challenge for all in-house counsels is to respond quickly to complex legal issues. Whenever possible, she goes light on the legalese and summarizes the matter in streamlined bullet points.

“The executives want to know, and rightfully so, ‘what is the risk and what we as a business should do?’” explains Assadollahi. “I am a solution-oriented individual. I understand a lengthy memo isn’t always the ideal fit in a fast-paced and dynamic business environment.”

When asked how she is able to successfully provide legal advice and effectively seal deals, she says it comes down to creating a judgement-free space and a great deal of listening.

Marine Assadollahi | Fives Group

“When I enter a room, I center on the essential—i.e., the objectives we have set, with the conviction that I have prepared for the work. My style is to be rational, logical, provide reasoning and listen,” she says.

Assadollahi is also on a quest for personal growth and has found a very good match at Fives. “Everyone needs to embrace a wider perspective,” she says. This is also reflected in Fives Group’s brand signature—Industry can do it—“which conveys that industry is the answer to the major challenges we face in the modern world: environmental, technological, societal and economic,” she remarks.

Beyond her role, she has been a member of several working committees of international arbitration institutions and participates in global conferences.

She came to this position well-versed, having cut her teeth as a litigator in Paris, after earning a master’s from George Washington University Law School and a degree in international business law from Paris-Sorbonne University. While in practice, she intervened in big-ticket intercontinental cases and Fives was a client of the firm.

Early on, negotiating industrial matters, Assadollahi rarely sat opposite another woman. While aware of biases, she still focused on the work at hand which broadened her outlook and made her a more effective counselor.

“That is not always reciprocated, yet being a good negotiator also requires steering the wheel in the direction of objectivity and ignoring misconceptions or judgements,” she says.

Assadollahi gladly notes that times are changing for the better with more women in prominent corporate settings and other societal movements.

“Being yourself should no longer be a struggle between genders, but a universal cause that concerns everyone, as it affects the freedom for all to be authentic beyond any biases,” she says.

Marine Assadollahi | Fives Group

And Fives has been an ideal fit since she joined the company’s legal department in 2009. Around the time of her 2015 promotion, the North American division needed its own legal department. Assadollahi, being admitted to the New York bar in 2004 and fluent in English and French, was the logical choice and for several years was in Montreal.

Despite returning to Paris last year, she remains the North American general counsel, and it’s a role that’s taken on greater importance with Fives targeting the United States for growth. Paris being six hours ahead of eastern North America, she has had to adjust to a new time zone.

“It requires some adjustments, but at least my mornings are quieter,” says Assadollahi, the mother of a young daughter.

And, if she’s factored in societal progress, she’s proud of it and hopes to inspire other young women. However, she’s quick to defer credit to those who helped put her in the position to further a legacy.

“Prior generations had to really be the overachievers,” Assadollahi says. “Today, women in the industry have a much more level playing ground to work within.”

Published on: May 26, 2021

regions:

categories: ,

Showcase your feature on your website with a custom “As Featured in Vanguard” badge that links directly to your article!

Copy and paste this script into your page coding (ideally right before the closing tag) where you want to display our review banner.

Testimonials

As promised in advance, my feature in Vanguard has increased my visibility within the profession and prompted more than a few people I have not communicated with recently to reconnect. One of the Italian law firms I have used in the past is now in the process of interviewing me for an article on their website and tweeting out the feature story. Activity and the number of people connecting with me on LinkedIn has soared, which is great. The Vanguard writers and editorial staff were great to work with—highly professional and made the effort to make the experience both fun and rewarding (they were also respectful of the time pressures and demands all lawyers face). I was very pleased with the experience and the final outcome. Needless to say, I have been very pleased. All in all working with Vanguard has been a very positive experience which generated good publicity for both Shawcor and myself. My sincere thanks.
– Tim Hutzul, General Counsel, ShawCor Ltd.
The piece highlighting my company, Bob Baker Enterprises, Inc., came out fabulous. Our company is in the new and used car sales and service industry. Everyone was great to work with and extremely professional. They produced a high-quality product and have provided expert assistance and guidance post-production of the article.
– Wade Poulson, General Counsel, Bob Baker Enterprises Inc.
I was honored to be the subject of an article. I enjoy reading Vanguard articles and seeing how other attorneys got to their positions and see their jobs. It's also interesting to see how different law firms partner with the subjects of the articles.
– Henry Marquard, in-house counsel, Stanley Consultants Inc.
It was a great honor to be featured in Vanguard Law. Working with every member of the team, from the initial interview with Erin Clark, through production with Victor Martins, writing the article with Taryn Plumb and creating the final content with Dave Gushee, was a true pleasure. Everyone was very professional, enthusiastic and supportive, and their creative approach and positive attitude clearly came through in the final product.
– Kevin C. Rakowski, Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Compliance with Radian Group Inc.

LATEST EDITION

Fall II 2023

READ NOW

GET VANGUARD IN YOUR INBOX.

  • * We’ll never share your email or info with anyone.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.