Event information
Following last year’s successful edition, The Legal 500 eagerly announces its return to Santiago for the GC Summit: Chile 2024, being held on June 18th. Tailored exclusively for the nation’s esteemed in-house community, the conference aims to foster networking, knowledge exchange, and insights from a distinguished panel of speakers.
The conference will cover a diverse range of timely topics, including navigating evolving landscapes in labour relations, confronting challenges unique to Chile’s in-house legal sphere, dispute resolution strategies, data protection practices, and more. With robust panel discussions and ample opportunities for interaction among fellow in-house counsel, the event pledges to be a pragmatic, forward-thinking affair uniting some of the country’s foremost legal luminaries.
The schedule includes panel sessions brimming with invaluable insights and discussions, presented in collaboration with our local key partners: Magliona Abogados, Gutiérrez, Waugh, Jimeno & Asenjo, Munita & Olavarría Abogados, and PAGBAM and Aninat Abogados.
In addition to the participation of top lawyers from our partner law firms, the conference will spotlight the unique perspectives of in-house counsel on these critical matters, ensuring attendees receive a holistic and insightful discourse. You can expect the presence of some distinguished guest speakers, who will enrich the dialogue further.
For corporate lawyers in Chile seeking to advance their careers and forge connections with peers, this event is indispensable. As customary, the summit will conclude with ample opportunities for networking within the Chilean legal landscape.
The GC Summit: Chile 2024 extends a cordial invitation to the nation’s preeminent in-house counsel representing leading companies, alongside top practitioners. Together, they will tackle into discussions surrounding the evolving roles of in-house legal leaders and the numerous challenges, opportunities, and issues awaiting them in 2024 and beyond.
Agenda
1.00pm – 1.45pm Registration
1.45pm – 2.00pm Opening Remarks
- Francisco Castro, senior research analyst, The Legal 500
2.00pm – 2.50pm To arbitrate or not? This is not the only question
Dispute resolution clauses often do not receive the attention they deserve. They are often discussed at the end of an extensive negotiation period when the parties are thrilled with the new deal they are about to close. This means that the definition of important issues such as to submit or not to arbitration disputes arising between the parties or the specific terms of such agreement are sometimes overlooked.
This panel will therefore address the issues that a legal manager must consider when defining whether or not to enter into an arbitration agreement in the contracts in which they are involved and the different options available to them, i.e. whether or not to consider mandatory stages prior to the arbitration itself (such as mediation or negotiation); whether to agree on a single or collegiate tribunal; arbitration at law or in equity; whether or not to waive appeals against the award, etc.
- Alfredo Waugh Correa, partner, Gutiérrez, Waugh, Jimeno & Asenjo
- María Agnes Salah Abusleme, chairwoman, CAM Santiago
- Gonzalo Smith Ferrer, chief legal officer and corporate governance, Falabella
- María José Poblete Gómez, corporate legal manager, Empresa de Ferrocarriles del Estado
2.50pm – 3.40pm New Regulations on Personal Data, Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence
This panel will explore the new regulations of the digital economy and productivity, in terms of personal data, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and consumer protection, which set new standards in regulatory compliance. What should we expect from these new regulations? How can we prepare for regulatory compliance? These and other matters will be the subject of this panel.
- Karla Cid, lawyer, director, Magliona Abogados
- Bárbara Reyes, lawyer, Magliona Abogados
- Lizzy Seaman, lawyer, Ministry General Secretariat of the Presidency
- Michelle Bordachar, legal and legislative advisor, Ministry of the Interior and Public Security
- Paloma Herrera, legal advisor, Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation
3.40pm – 3.55pm Coffee Break
3.55pm – 4.45pm Navigating new frontiers in labour relations: legal changes and challenges in Chile
During this session, our exciting panel of guest speakers will look at the latest developments in navigating the swiftly changing landscape of labour relations in Chile.
Tackling the depths of legislative evolution, we’ll dissect the implications and strategic considerations of the transition to a 40-hour workweek, as mandated by Law 21.561 and explore the profound impact of recent legislation, including the far-reaching effects of Law 21.643, or “Ley Karin,” on workplace dynamics encompassing harassment, sexual harassment, and workplace violence.
In parallel, we’ll unravel the complexities surrounding remote work, scrutinising legal frameworks and distilling best practices amidst evolving workplace paradigms. Additionally, we’ll illuminate the legal considerations accompanying the rise of digital nomadism, providing invaluable insights for both companies and employees navigating this burgeoning frontier.
We extend a warm invitation to join us in discussing the legal developments shaping Chile’s labour landscape, fostering dialogue, and forging pathways to informed action and collaborative progress.
- Enrique Munita, founding partner, Munita & Olavarría Abogados
- Agustín Eguiguren, regional legal director, Abbott Laboratories
- Giselle Rubio, senior legal labor and litigation manager, LATAM Airlines Group
- Guillermo Valenzuela, corporate manager of people and culture, Consorcio
4.45pm – 5.35pm Reputation & Leadership of Companies in LATAM today: The Role of General Counsels
This panel focuses on the critical role that GCs play in shaping and maintaining the reputation and leadership of companies in Latin America. Experts will provide a comprehensive understanding of how GCs and their teams can drive corporate success and resilience in this challenging region.
- Juan Pablo Schwencke, partner, PAGBAM
- Carmen Román, director, Coca-Cola Andina and Grupo Patio
- Macarena Vargas, general counsel, Codelco
- Belén Arana, corporate counsel, Google
- Felipe Edwards, partner, Azerta
5.35pm – 6.25pm Challenges Faced Due to Increased Regulatory Authorities
This panel will explore the challenges faced due to increased regulatory authorities, with a look at regulatory and compliance challenges from two critical economic angles: Consumer Law and Environmental Law.
- Lucas del Villar, partner, Aninat Abogados
- Rodrigo Ropert, senior counsel, Aninat Abogados
- Karol Oyanader, legal, regulatory and sustainability manager, Statkraft Chile
- Andrés Medina, general counsel, Caja Los Andes
6.25pm – 6.30pm Closing Remarks
- Francisco Castro, senior research analyst, The Legal 500
6.30pm – 7.30pm Drinks and canapes
Speakers
Alfredo Waugh Correa, partner, Gutiérrez, Waugh, Jimeno & Asenjo
Member of the Chilean Bar Association (2001), his practice focuses on civil, commercial and consumer protection litigation and arbitration. Prior to joining Gutiérrez, Waugh, Jimeno & Asenjo Abogados, Alfredo worked as an associate attorney at Carey y Cía. (1996 – 2003) and as partner in charge of the litigation area at Philippi, Yrarrázaval, Pulido & Brunner -now Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría- (2003 – 2006).
María Agnes Salah Abusleme, chairwoman, CAM Santiago
Dr. María Agnes is the Chairwoman of the Arbitration and Mediation Center of the Santiago Chamber of a Commerce. She is a lawyer from the University of Chile, master in Law from Harvard University, in Tax Law from the University of Chile and a Doctor in Law from the University of Chile. She’s an associate Professor of the Department of Private Law and full-time researcher at the Faculty of Law of the University of Chile, Herbert Smith Freehills Visitor at Cambridge University Law School, mentor of the “AJ CAM Santiago Mentoring Program: Women Leaders in Arbitration” and the “Learning to Lead Program.” Former Director of International Relations of the Faculty of Law of the University of Chile. Previously she was an attorney in the tax and judicial group at Carey.
Gonzalo Smith Ferrer, chief legal officer and corporate governance, Falabella
Gonzalo Smith Ferrer has served as Corporate Manager of Legal Affairs and Governance since December 16, 2015. He is a lawyer in Chile and North Carolina (USA), graduated in Law from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and also holds an LLM from Harvard Law School and an MBA from the University of Arkansas. He was previously vice president and general counsel of Walmart for all of Latin America; legal affairs manager of Walmart Chile; Associate at Carey y Cía. (Santiago), in addition to having worked at Cuatrecasas Abogados (Madrid) and Davis Polk & Wardwell (New York).
María José Poblete Gómez, corporate legal manager, Empresa de Ferrocarriles del Estado
María José Poblete Gómez is a lawyer graduated from the Universidad de Chile, with a Master’s degree in business law and management from ESSEC, Paris, France. She is admitted to practice law in Chile and before the Paris Bar Association. She is currently the Legal Manager of Empresa de los Ferrocarriles del Estado (EFE), has been Head of the Secretariat of the Tribunal de Defensa de la Libre Competencia (TDLC) and has worked as a lawyer in international and domestic arbitration, both in Chile and Paris, among other matters. Ms. Poblete is also a writer, having published the novels “Desde el confín” and “El desvelo” and co-authored the book “Somos Diversidad”.
Enrique Munita, founding partner, Munita & Olavarría Abogados
Enrique Munita’s labour and employment law practice extends over 25 years. He works with global employers and local market leaders on Human Resources policies, incentive schemes, restructuring, conflicts, dismissals, unions and collective bargaining.
He possesses extensive experience in cross-border and local matters related to international secondment, employee compensation and benefits, labour disputes and immigration. Having profound experience in labour and employment matters, he advises large investment and consulting companies, firms in the banking and finance sector, airlines, food industry, media, IT and healthcare companies.
Mr. Munita has been professor of Labour Law in several Chilean universities. He is currently professor of postgraduate studies at the Law School of the University of Los Andes in Chile. He also advises employers’ associations and has been a speaker at Chilean and international law conferences.
Lizzy Seaman, lawyer, Ministry General Secretariat of the Presidency
Lizzy Seaman is a distinguished lawyer who holds a degree from the University of Chile and a Master of Laws from New York University (NYU). She is a respected Professor of Administrative Law at both O’Higgins State University and Diego Portales University.
Currently, she contributes her extensive knowledge and experience to the Legal-Legislative Division of the Ministry of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, where she plays a crucial role in shaping legislative frameworks and policies. Her academic and professional endeavors are marked by a deep commitment to advancing legal standards and protecting individual rights in the realm of privacy and personal data.
Her dual role as an educator and practitioner allows her to bridge theoretical concepts with practical applications, benefiting her students and colleagues alike.
Michelle Bordachar, legal and legislative advisor, Ministry of the Interior and Public Security
Michelle Bordachar is a researcher and professor at the Center for Studies in Law, Technology and Society of the Faculty of Law of the University of Chile. Lawyer, legal and legislative advisor to the National Cybersecurity Coordination. Master in International Law from the University of Heidelberg and the University of Chile, Postgraduate Diploma in Cybersecurity, also from the University of Chile, where she is a professor of the general training course “Society, technology and personal data” and the diploma of personal data protection post-title. Expert in personal data protection and cybersecurity.
Paloma Herrera, legal advisor, Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation
Paloma Herrera is a Lawyer from the University of Chile and has a Diploma in Cybersecurity from the same university. Magister Legum (LL.M.) in International Law, investments, trade and arbitration, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg and Universidad de Chile. Legal and legislative advisor to the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation. Expert in artificial intelligence and regulations.
Agustín Eguiguren, regional legal director, Abbott Laboratories
Agustín Eguiguren is a legal professional with over 25 years of experience across diverse sectors. He has held key positions in Baned Servicios Legales, Banco A. Edwards, and renowned law firms, including Baker McKenzie.
In the corporate realm, he served as Corporate Legal Manager at Corporación Farmacéutica Recalcine and later as Legal Director at Abbott Laboratories. Currently, he serves as Regional Legal Director for Abbott, overseeing legal matters in Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. His expertise spans corporate law, labor law, litigation, and compliance. Additionally, he has taught university courses in subjects such as Political and Constitutional Law. With his extensive experience and skills, Agustín brings valuable insights to the summit on legal changes and challenges in Chile.
Giselle Rubio, senior legal labor and litigation manager, LATAM Airlines Group
Giselle Rubio brings over 15 years of experience in the field of labor law, with a particular focus on its application within large international enterprises. She has developed her expertise during her tenure at LATAM Airlines Group, a leading airline in Latin America, where she currently serves as Senior Legal and Litigation Manager. Giselle’s profound knowledge of labor law, applied within the context of this major international corporation, can provide invaluable insights for attendees.
Juan Pablo Schwencke, partner, PAGBAM
Juan Pablo Schwencke is a leading business lawyer and advisor in Chile and the region. He has lived in Santiago, Buenos Aires, Frankfurt, New York and Miami, gaining a tremendous cross-border experience blended with deep local knowledge. During his career he has successfully represented clients in several M&A transactions, project financing, debt and insolvency restructuring, international litigation, arbitration and tax matters. He has advised national and foreign companies, banks, financial entities and multinational organizations, including Acon Investments, Alliance Capital, American Bridge, Amarant Mining, Balfour Beatty, Banco Santander, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase (Londen), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, WPP Group, Empresas CMPC, ESVAL, Compañía de Acero del Pacífico S.A., Construcciones Auxiliares de Ferrocarriles S.A. (CAF), Yorklabel and ICICI Bank, among others.
Francisco Castro, senior research analyst, The Legal 500
Francisco joined the Legal 500’s GC Powerlist series in August 2022. As part of its in-house legal research team, Francisco’s work focuses on researching, editing and interviewing some of the most prominent and exceptional in-house counsel of some of the largest companies in the world. He has also played a part in the hosting of the Legal 500 webinar series, which provides market-leading expertise on a distinctive digital platform. Additionally, Francisco has extensive research experience in other fields, such as Public Policy, Higher Education and International Law. Other scientific areas of interest include International Relations, Geopolitics and International Humanitarian Law. Francisco is fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Karla Cid, lawyer, director, Magliona Abogados
Karla Cid, managing attorney at Magliona Abogados, has a degree in Legal Sciences from the University of Chile, with a Diploma in Law, Technologies and Telecommunications, from the same university.
Karla has focused her professional practice on corporate and corporate matters, as well as new technologies, personal data protection, intellectual property and telecommunications.
From 2014 to April 2017, she was an advisory lawyer to the Ministry of the General Secretariat of the Presidency in the Modernization and Digital Government Unit. From April 2017 to April 2018 she served as Strategic Account Manager at Cognitiva IBM Watson Strategic Partner (for Artificial Intelligence issues applied to diverse industries) and during 2018 she was an external consulting lawyer for Microsoft Chile.
Recognized by The Legal 500 Latin America 2024 on TMT. (Rising Star)
Bárbara Reyes, lawyer, Magliona Abogados
Bárbara has experience in privacy and data protection, cybersecurity, compliance, public affairs management and government relationship management. Recognised in 2022 by The Legal500 as “Recommended Lawyer” for TMT, Data Privacy, Corporate and M&A practices.
Bárbara has a degree in Legal Sciences from the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, with a Diploma in Compliance from the same university; and Postgraduate Diploma in Regulation in the Digital Economy from the University of Chile.
Guillermo Valenzuela, corporate manager of people and culture, Consorcio
Guillermo Valenzuela Brito is a lawyer with over 15 years of experience in the corporate and insurance law fields. He has served as General Counsel and Compliance Officer for the insurance companies of Consorcio Group for 8 years, and currently serves as Corporate Manager of People at the same group. Additionally, he has been a director of Fundación Consorcio and president of AIDA Chile. Guillermo has also taught at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile in the Corporate Governance and Insurance Law diploma programs.
Belén Arana, corporate counsel, Google
Belén Arana focuses her practice in the area of corporate law, advising Google in different countries in the region on a variety of products, including AI, Ads and YouTube.
She joined Google in 2017, and previously worked as an associate at Bomchil in the Mergers and Acquisitions practice area.
Belén Arana graduated as a lawyer from the University of Buenos Aires, and completed a Specialisation in Corporate Legal Advice at the University of Buenos Aires and a Master’s Degree in Business Law at San Andres University. She teaches Civil and Commercial Contracts at the University of Buenos Aires.
Lucas del Villar, partner, Aninat Abogados
Lucas del Villar is an expert in Consumer law. Between 2018 and 2022 he was the director of Chile’s National Consumer Service (Sernac), and between 2010 and 2014 he was its subdirector.
Rodrigo Ropert, senior counsel, Aninat Abogados
Rodrigo Ropert holds more than 20 years of experience in environmental and regulatory matters, especially in the mining, energy, agroindustry and real estate industries. Prior to joining Aninat Abogados, he founded Ropert Correa Abogados, directed the environmental and regulatory area at Morales & Besa, was the corporate legal manager of Molibdenos y Metales S.A., worked as an attorney at Carey y Cía., and before in the Environmental Unit of the Chilean State’s Defense Council and of the Council of National Monuments.
Carmen Román, director, Coca-Cola Andina and Grupo Patio
Carmen Román is a highly recognized lawyer in the retail sector, and reference in the formation of diverse and inclusive teams.
She began her professional career at the law firm Fontaine y Cía. and, in 1999, she was hired by the supermarket chain Santa Isabel, owned by the Dutch multinational Ahold, as Regional Legal Manager for Latin America. In 2004, following the acquisition of Santa Isabel by Cencosud, she was appointed Legal Manager of the latter, actively participating in the international expansion process of the Chilean group in South America. In December 2009, she joined Walmart Chile as Legal Affairs Manager, Ethics and Compliance Officer, Board Secretary, and later added to her responsibilities the Management of Corporate Affairs, Sustainability, and Shared Value, positions she held until January 2021.
In the guild field, in 2014 she was elected councilor of SOFOFA and, from 2015 to 2020, she was part of its Executive Committee, being in charge of the Co-Presidency of the Business Evolution Committee.
Between 2014 and 2021, she was a director of Acción Empresa and was part of the Legal circle of Icare until January 2024.
Currently, she is a member of the Legal Sustainability Board of the Universidad Católica de Chile, a member of the Guild Self-Regulation Council of the Universidad Católica de Chile, a Counselor of the NGO Comunidad Mujer, and Director, Co-Founder of Grupo Alma Latam.
She holds a Law Degree from the Universidad Gabriela Mistral, Santiago, Chile.
Macarena Vargas, general counsel, Codelco
Macarena Vargas is Legal Vice President of Codelco and director of companies linked to the Corporation. Previously, he served as Legal Manager, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability of Empresas Gasco and in the Prosecutor’s Office of Grupo El Mercurio. She was also an advisor to the Ministries of Finance and Energy, and a lawyer at the Carey firm, in the areas of finance and M&A.
Felipe Edwards, partner, Azerta
Felipe Edwards is a consultant with extensive experience in corporate communications, financial communications, and crisis management.
He is co-founder of Azerta, a leading consultancy in strategic communication, public affairs, crisis management, and digital communication, comprised of a multidisciplinary team with over 20 years of experience in the industry; and advisor to major economic groups, Chilean and international companies.
During his career, he has worked as a journalist and sub-editor in the Economy and Business section of El Mercurio, communications manager at IBM, general manager of the sports marketing company Vivefutbol, and for six years as general manager of Hill & Knowlton Captiva.
Karol Oyanader, legal, regulatory and sustainability manager, Statkraft Chile
Andrés Medina, general counsel, Caja Los Andes
In association with...
GWJA is a boutique law firm founded in 2006 by some of the most relevant practitioners in the areas of Dispute Resolution, Litigation and Arbitration in Chile.
Since its foundation, GWJA and its partners have been consistently recognized as leading actors in its areas of expertise, ranking number one in most national and international rankings. Its senior partner, Pedro Pablo Gutiérrez, has been chosen as one of the best Dispute Resolution lawyers in Chile for the last decade.
GWJA has been involved in most high-profile cases in Chile, assisting relevant local and international actors in complex processes of negotiations and in civil and commercial litigation before courts, state agencies and arbitral tribunals in matters such as construction, mining, telecommunications, energy, banking, finance, insurance, and retail.
The firm conducts relevant domestic arbitrations and also international disputes before international forums such as the ICC, CAM-CCBC and the ICSID in highly complex arbitration proceedings.
The firm’s members have graduated from the best universities in Chile and some of them have earned post-graduate degrees at the best universities in the United States and Europe.
Magliona Abogados provides legal services of excellence to both local and multinational companies. We specialize in corporate matters, tax services, complex business litigation and finance structures, telecommunications, technology law, intellectual and industrial property, government relations and public policies, including, among others, corporate structuring, due diligence planning, mergers and acquisitions, financial assistance, syndicated loans, liability restructuring and leasing. We are experts in licensing and software development agreements, technological platforms, franchises, data protection, cybercrime, distribution, production and financing of film and TV productions.
Our clients encompass a wide range of enterprises. We aim to build sound and enduring relationships that help our clients reach their goals.
Munita & Olavarría is a leading Chilean law firm specializing in labour and employment law. M&O provides expert legal services to national and multinational clients, handling labour issues, corporate restructuring, compliance, and collective bargaining. As a member of Ius Laboris, Munita & Olavarría delivers global legal solutions with local expertise.
PAGBAM | SCHWENCKE Chile is a full-service law firm, which provides coordinated legal advice and transactional capability in Argentina, Chile and the rest of Latin America through our offices in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Santiago (Chile), Montevideo (Uruguay) and New York (United States).
We are a multidisciplinary group of lawyers with extensive experience in different areas and industries, which allows us to structure comprehensive and creative solutions according to the needs of our clients.
We advise both national and international clients with strategic and innovative solutions to their most complex legal and commercial matters. We take pride in delivering exceptional service, grounded in integrity and dedication.
Since its creation, PAGBAM | SCHWENCKE Chile and its members have been internationally recognized for their expertise in various practices.
Aninat Abogados is a widely recognized firm that provide legal services in different practice areas related to business to local and international clients from various industries. We are a team of experts organized to add value to the operations of its clients by ensuring the permanent involvement of the firm’s senior members in their most complex matters.