Event information
The GC Summit Argentina 2025 promises to be an unmissable gathering for the country’s most influential legal minds. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Buenos Aires, this annual event will bring together leading general counsel and industry experts for a day of high-level discussions, networking, and thought-provoking insights.
With a carefully curated agenda, the summit will delve into some of the most pressing issues shaping the legal landscape, from the evolving dynamics of labour law to cross-border developments that are capturing the region’s attention. Uruguay will take centre stage in a dedicated session, offering a closer look at the legal and business opportunities unfolding just across the river.
Throughout the day, attendees will engage in in-depth conversations, exchanging perspectives on regulatory shifts, corporate challenges, and strategies for navigating an increasingly complex legal environment. As thought leaders share their expertise, the event will serve as a dynamic forum for learning, debate, and collaboration, solidifying its place as a key moment in the legal calendar.
Agenda
1.30pm – 2.00pm Registration
2.00pm – 2.10pm Opening remarks
- Margherita Birri, research editor, Legal 500
2.10pm – 3.00pm Labour Law Challenges and Strategic Considerations in Argentina
This panel will explore critical developments, challenges, and strategic considerations in Argentina’s evolving labour landscape. Experts will provide insights into pending and necessary legal reforms, the impact of interest rates on labour litigation, and measures adopted to mitigate disputes in the workplace. The discussion will cover the financial and regulatory implications of hiring employees in Argentina, shedding light on the true cost of employment and the complexities of labour conflicts and trade union dynamics. Additionally, the panel will examine the challenges that arise in the aftermath of mergers and acquisitions, focusing on workforce integration and regulatory compliance. In an increasingly globalised economy, cross-border employment considerations will also be addressed, highlighting regulatory, cultural, and operational challenges in transnational employment. This session will offer a comprehensive outlook on Argentina’s labour market, equipping attendees with valuable perspectives on risk management, compliance, and cost implications.
- Walter Manko, partner, Deloitte
- Martín Brindici, legal affairs manager, Aceitera General Deheza
- Maria Cecilia Ruiz, legal manager, Danone Group
3.00pm – 3.50pm Current Legal Tax Issues in Argentina
As Argentina continues to navigate a complex economic landscape, tax regulations remain at the forefront of legal and financial discussions. This panel will bring together leading experts to explore the most pressing tax issues affecting businesses and individuals in Argentina today. Key topics will include the tax inflation adjustment, a critical mechanism for mitigating the distortive effects of inflation on taxable income, as well as the rules surrounding loss updates and their impact on taxpayers’ ability to offset financial setbacks.
Additionally, the panel will examine the challenges related to the gross income tax credit balance, a significant concern for businesses seeking to manage their tax liabilities efficiently. Another crucial issue to be discussed is the PAIS Tax reimbursement, which has raised questions about compliance, refund eligibility, and procedural hurdles.
Beyond these specific matters, the panel will provide insights into the broader tax landscape, analysing recent legislative developments, administrative rulings, and judicial decisions that shape tax compliance and strategic planning. Attendees can expect a dynamic discussion that highlights current challenges and explores potential solutions and best practices for navigating Argentina’s evolving tax framework.
- Gastón Miani, partner, Tavarone, Rovelli, Salim & Miani
- Leonel Zanotto, partner, Tavarone, Rovelli, Salim & Miani
3.50pm – 4.05pm Coffee Break
4.05pm – 4.55pm Deregulation and the New Reality of Corporate Lawyers
In recent months, Argentina has embarked on a significant transformation in its legal and economic landscape, driven by the reforms introduced through Decree 70/2023. These changes mark a shift towards deregulation and a broader normalisation of economic and legal frameworks. As outdated bureaucratic barriers are dismantled, businesses are experiencing a streamlined regulatory environment that fosters greater efficiency and predictability. For corporate lawyers, this evolving scenario presents both challenges and opportunities. The traditional focus on regulatory compliance and administrative procedures is giving way to a more dynamic legal practice. With a reduction in bureaucratic red tape, legal teams can allocate more resources to strategic matters such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate financing, and structuring business operations in a more flexible and competitive market. Additionally, the anticipated decline in labor and consumer claims could reshape litigation strategies and risk management approaches, allowing legal departments to play a more proactive role in business decision-making.
This panel will explore the practical implications of deregulation on corporate legal practice, offering insights into the key areas where in-house counsels and law firms will need to adapt. By examining the broader regulatory shifts and their direct impact on day-to-day legal operations, we will discuss how lawyers can navigate this new reality and leverage the opportunities it presents for corporate growth and innovation.
- M. Carolina Abdelnabe Vila, partner, PAGBAM
- Julieta Arribas Medrano, deputy general counsel and company secretary, Galicia Más
- Santiago Daireaux, partner, PAGBAM
- Nadia G. Barbadillo, regional legal manager for the Latin America South Region, Whirlpool Latin America
- Daniela Recasens, legal analyst, Havas
4.55pm – 5.20pm Uruguay on the spotlight
Uruguay is rapidly gaining recognition as a dynamic hub for business, investment, and innovation in Latin America. With a stable political environment, a robust legal framework, and an increasingly attractive market for foreign investors, Uruguay has positioned itself as a key player in the region. This fireside chat will explore the country’s evolving business landscape, its legal and regulatory framework, and the opportunities it presents for international investors and corporations.
In conversation with Hughes and Hughes, a leading law firm with extensive expertise in corporate and investment law, we will delve into Uruguay’s strategic advantages, including its financial stability, commitment to sustainable development, and forward-thinking policies in sectors such as technology, renewable energy, and agribusiness. Join for an insightful discussion that sheds light on Uruguay’s growing influence and the opportunities it presents for businesses looking to establish or expand their presence in Latin America.
- Héctor Ferreira, partner, Hughes & Hughes
- Margherita Birri, research editor, Legal 500
5.20pm – 6.05pm Elevating General Counsel as a Strategic Business Partner
The role of the General Counsel is evolving beyond legal oversight to become a key driver of business strategy. No longer confined to risk mitigation and compliance, today’s GC is expected to provide strategic insights, influence decision-making, and contribute to the organisation’s overall success. This panel will explore how GCs can position themselves as trusted advisors by leveraging data, generating impactful reports, and using key metrics to align legal strategy with business objectives. The discussion will touch upon practical ways to enhance collaboration across departments, strengthen relationships with leadership, and ensure that legal teams are not just supporting the business—but helping to shape its future. Additionally, it will examine how digitasation and new business challenges are driving this shift, requiring GCs to be more agile, proactive, and engaged in areas beyond traditional legal functions.
- Rodrigo Hermida, vice president legal Latam, Thomson Reuters
- Ivana Di Carlo, legal affairs manager, Securion
- Federico Martinez, legal department manager, Telecentro
6.05pm – 6.10pm Closing remarks
6.10pm – 7.00pm Drinks and canapes
Speakers
Walter Manko, partner, Deloitte
Walter is the Partner in charge of the Employment & Benefits practice at Deloitte Legal Argentina. He is a lawyer specialising in Labour Law and Social Security, with over 20 years of experience. He advises national and international clients, particularly on matters related to senior executives, complex compensation structures, expatriates, hiring and dismissals. He provides guidance on strategies related to labour costs, litigation prevention and workplace risks, as well as trade union relations, business restructuring and company start-ups in Argentina. He is an expert in complex labour litigation, representing key industries and sectors across the country. He also advises on employment and social security matters in the context of mergers and acquisitions.
Walter advises employers, business chambers, multinational and national companies on collective bargaining, trade union disputes and individual labour law. He has been a member of the negotiating committee for several collective agreements, has authored multiple publications on labour law, social security and migration issues, and is co-author of several books. He has also served as an advisor to the International Labour Organization (ILO) on Digital Platforms in Argentina.
Martín Brindici, legal affairs manager, Aceitera General Deheza
Martín graduated as a lawyer from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) in 2003, with a specialisation in Corporate Legal Advisory (2008) from the same institution. He has been working in the agro-industrial sector for over 15 years, having served as Legal Affairs Manager at the Chamber of the Oil Industry and the Centre for Grain Exporters (2008 to March 2017) and as General Manager of the Chamber of Private Ports (2017 – November 2022), where he was responsible for sectoral collective bargaining negotiations of great national significance and media impact, such as those in the oil industry, among others. Since December 2022, he has been Head of Legal Affairs at Aceitera General Deheza (AGD).
Maria Cecilia Ruiz, legal manager, Danone Group
Legal Manager of the Danone Group for 11 years, responsible for the labour legal area, litigation, sustainability, and HR Compliance. Previously a lawyer at ICBC in the Human Resources department, and before that, spent 11 years at Marval O’Farrell & Mairal.
Married for 20 years and mother of three daughters.
Gastón Miani, partner, Tavarone, Rovelli, Salim & Miani
Gastón Miani has more than 20 years’ experience intax and customs law. He specialises in tax litigation, representing clients against the tax authorities (national, provincial and municipal) and also before national and provincial courts, most importantly before the federal courts, the administrative tax courts and the Argentina Supreme Court.
Before joining TRSyM, he was a partner at Bazán, Cambré & Orts (2011–2014), manager at Goldenberg, Eguía y Asociados (2008–2011), an associate at Bruchou, Fernández Madero & Lombardi (2006–2007) and an associate at G Breuer Abogados (2003–2006).
He graduated as a lawyer at the University of Buenos Aires in 1997 and completed a postgraduate course on tax law and customs law at the same university.
Gastón is also a professor of tax law at the University of Buenos Aires.
Leonel Zanotto, partner, Tavarone, Rovelli, Salim & Miani
Leonel Zanotto is an expert in national and international taxation, having spent most of his career leading the tax team at a market-leading international consulting firm based in Buenos Aires. He is a Public Accountant and holds a degree in Business Administration, graduating with honors from the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa (UADE). He also has a specialisation in taxation from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA). Leonel is a member of the Argentine Association of Fiscal Studies and the International Fiscal Association.
Throughout his career, he has advised companies in various sectors such as Fintech, Retail, and Services. He has also participated in M&A processes, analyzing tax issues in due diligence, identifying risks and opportunities for improvement, and evaluating tax-free reorganisations. Additionally, he has been actively involved in tax audits at both national and provincial levels, leading teams to ensure compliance with tax requirements and identifying potential legal controversies.
Academically, Leonel is a professor of tax-related subjects at various universities in Argentina, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He also collaborates actively in the tax commissions of various business chambers. He has been an invited speaker at numerous conferences and courses at universities across the country.
M. Carolina Abdelnabe Vila, partner, PAGBAM
M. Carolina Abdelnabe Vila is a lawyer specializing in Antitrust and Competition Law, and has extensive experience in Consumer Protection Law. Additionally, she is part of the firm’s Data Protection and High-Tech practice team, advising on privacy regulations and compliance strategies.
She joined PAGBAM in 2013 and was promoted to partner in 2024.
Carolina graduated Summa Cum Laude – Gold Medal Award to the top graduate of the class from the Argentine Catholic University and holds an LL.M. in International Business Law from Université Catholique de Lyon and has completed specialized studies in European Business Law at EBS Universität Law School (Germany). She is a lecturer at Universidad del CEMA and Universidad Austral; she is admitted to practice law in Argentina and is a member of the Bar Association of the City of Buenos Aires.
Julieta Arribas Medrano, deputy general counsel and company secretary, Galicia Más
Julieta Arribas Medrano is currently the Deputy General Counsel and Company Secretary at Galicia Más, formerly HSBC Argentina. She joined the financial group in 2013 and has been providing legal advice -mainly- to the wholesale business. In addition to that, while at HSBC, she served as the regional lead lawyer for financial crime and was a member of the LAM Legal Executive Committee. Prior to joining HSBC, she was in the private practice in Bruchou, Fernandez Madero & Lombardi, where she specialized in M&A of entities within the financial industry. During 2006 to 2008, she was an international associate at White&Case New York in the corporate finance practice area. She participates in different industry associations, such as Asociación de Bancos de Argentina, IDEA or Comité de Abogados de Bancos. Julieta holds a law degree from the Law School of the Universidad de Buenos Aires.
Santiago Daireaux, partner, PAGBAM
Santiago Daireaux is a corporate lawyer with extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, financing transactions, private equity, and general corporate law. He joined PAGBAM in 1997 and became a partner in 2003, where he has advised both local and international companies on their investments in Argentina and Latin America, earning recognition from leading legal publications as one of Argentina’s top lawyers in Corporate Law and M&A.
With a strong presence in the agribusiness sector, Santiago has represented major industry players in their operations across Latin America.
Santiago holds a law degree from the Argentine Catholic University (1992) and an LL.M. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School (1995). He is a member of the Bar Association of the City of Buenos Aires and the Bar Association of the State of New York.
Nadia G. Barbadillo, regional legal manager for the Latin America South Region, Whirlpool Latin America
Nadia G. Barbadillo is a lawyer with extensive experience in corporate law, regulatory compliance, and business strategy. Since joining Whirlpool Corporation in 2007, she has held various leadership positions within the legal department, providing strategic legal counsel across Latin America over the last 17 years.
Currently serving as the Regional Legal Manager for the Latin America South Region, she provides strategic legal counsel for business operations.
Her expertise spans contract negotiation, regulatory compliance, litigation management, marketing law, and corporate policies. Throughout her career at Whirlpool, she has played a key role in overseeing litigation portfolios, implementing cost-efficiency measures, and managing legal aspects of procurement, e-commerce, and consumer protection.
Daniela Recasens, legal analyst, Havas
Daniela Recasens is a lawyer specialised in private law, with a strong background in civil and commercial matters. She holds a law degree from the University of Buenos Aires and completed a Master’s in Business Law at Universidad Católica Argentina.
She joined Havas in 2022 and currently serves as Legal Analyst, where she provides legal support across various areas of the company’s operations.
Prior to joining Havas, Daniela gained valuable experience working at leading law firms, where she was involved in complex civil and commercial litigation, advising both local and international clients. Her professional path reflects a solid combination of academic training and practical experience in the corporate and litigation fields.
Rodrigo Hermida, vice president legal Latam, Thomson Reuters
Rodrigo Hermida is the Vice President for the Legal and Tax & Accounting Professionals segments at Thomson Reuters in Latin America. He joined the company in 2017 as CFO for South LatAm and was appointed to lead the business in 2018. Rodrigo holds a degree in Public Accounting from the University of Buenos Aires, an MBA from the University of CEMA, and a specialization in Business Innovation from the University of San Andrés. With over 20 years of leadership experience, he has worked with companies like Mercedes-Benz and Zurich Insurance Company. He also serves on the Board of Directors of CanCham Argentina, fostering Canada-Argentina trade relations.
Ivana Di Carlo, legal affairs manager, Securion
Ivana Di Carlo is a lawyer with 12+ years of experience in multinational corporations. An expert in legal affairs, she provides excellent counsel on legal matters related to company activities. She offers support on legal aspects impacting business and reputation, and forecasts regulatory reforms and their implications.
Federico Martinez, legal department manager, Telecentro
Federico Martínez is the Director of Legal Affairs at Telecentro. He is a specialist in corporate legal advisory. Federico holds a postgraduate degree in Telecommunications Law and ICT Services, a diploma in Intellectual Property, and a Master’s degree in Intellectual Property and New Technologies.
Héctor Ferreira, partner, Hughes & Hughes
Hector Ferreira is a Partner at Hughes & Hughes, Montevideo, Uruguay and Co-Chair of the Latin
American & Caribbean Committee of the American Bar Association, International Law Section. He has vast experience in Commercial and Corporate Law. He has assisted companies and individuals in tailoring their structures and setting up their projects. He has been actively involved in highprofile M&A transactions related to banks and transnational companies. He holds a Master´s Degree (LL.M.) from the University of California at Davis and he was a Foreign Associate at the San Francisco Law Firm Schinner & Shain. Mr. Ferreira is a Commercial Law Professor at the University of Uruguay and main Professor of Business Law at the Catholic University of Uruguay. He has authored and co-authored books, being some of them “The New Bearer Shares”, “Antitrust in Uruguay”, “Corporate Governance in Uruguay” and “Contribution to Business Law in Uruguay.
