Dr. Sebastian Heuer, LL.M

Chief Legal Officer at Speira

Weinheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

About

I am a Chief Legal & Compliance Officer with more than 20 years of international leadership experience across global industrial, MedTech, pharmaceutical, logistics, and technology companies. I advise executive teams, supervisory boards, and private‑equity owners on complex legal, compliance, governance, and risk matters, and I lead high‑performing global Legal, Compliance, IP, and Data Privacy organizations. My background spans Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, with a strong track record in M&A, corporate governance, commercial, litigation management, and large‑scale compliance transformations. I have successfully built and restructured global legal teams, led AI‑enabled legal and governance transformations, and delivered measurable business impact — including significant cost reductions, successful financing rounds, and the execution of complex international transactions. I combine legal excellence with business acumen, operational pragmatism, and a collaborative leadership style. My focus is on enabling sustainable growth, strengthening governance, and creating scalable, technology‑driven legal infrastructures that support global expansion. Strategic Leadership | Corporate Governance | M&A | Compliance | Risk Management | Litigation | Data Privacy | AI‑Driven Legal Transformation | Contract Management | IPO‑Readiness | Board Advisory | International Stakeholder Management | Change Management | Team Leadership

Experience

  • Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, Company Secretary at Speira
    Apr 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 3 mos

    Lead Legal, Compliance, Data Privacy, and IP globally Advise Executive Management, Supervisory Boards, and US‑based PE owner AI‑driven transformation of contract management and board administration 35% reduction in external legal spend (vs. 2022/23) Co-Lead international M&A projects and complex litigation Re‑designed and scaled global Legal, Compliance, Data Privacy and IP organization

  • General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer at Forto
    Aug 2021 - Apr 2024 · 2 yrs 9 mos

    Global lead for Legal, Compliance and Data Privacy Company Secretary; advisor to Executive Management and Board of Directors Successfully completed Series C and D financing rounds (~USD 200M each) Led two international acquisitions including integration 40% reduction in external legal spend (vs. 2021) Built and ramped-up global Legal, Compliance, Data Privacy, teams including holistic programs Led internal investigations and international restructuring programs

  • BD (Hybrid)
    • Associate General Counsel EMEA
      May 2019 - Aug 2021 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      Responsible for all legal matters in GSA, CEE, CIS EMEA legal lead for two business units Led five M&A transactions, including major acquisitions in Israel Managed litigation (product safety & liability) Co‑led compliance investigations (harassment, bribery, antitrust) Member of Global Legal Leadership Team and Regional Business Leadership Team Managing Director of two German BD entities

    • Senior Counsel EMEA
      Aug 2016 - Apr 2019 · 2 yrs 9 mos

      Lead the legal department in GSA and CEE countries, acting as EMEA-lead for one business unit

  • General Counsel at C. ILLIES & CO. HANDELSGESELLSCHAFT MBH
    Aug 2015 - Aug 2016 · 1 yr 1 mo

    Led global Legal function (corporate, commercial, litigation, compliance) Managed teams across Asia Supported technology and e‑healthcare business expansion

  • VP, Head Corporate Legal at DKSH
    Aug 2012 - Mar 2015 · 2 yrs 8 mos

    Led global Legal department (20 lawyers, 8 direct reports) Executed 20+ M&A transactions across Europe and APAC Key contributor to DKSH IPO (2012): VDR, due diligence, prospectus drafting Built global contract management standards and KPI systems Reduced external legal spend by 25% Led major compliance investigations across Asia