How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?  

In periods of instability or crisis, it is crucial to align legal strategy with business strategy because decisions are often made hastily, focusing more on the business’s immediate needs than on potential consequences of poor legal management. In my case, I have easy access to directors who have always been open to hearing legal department suggestions, facilitating my role within the company. It is always important to warn them about the legal risks that a rushed decision can bring if the legal department’s opinion is not considered 

What are the main cases or transactions you have been involved in recently?  

In the sector where I work, particularly in the stock market, and even more so in a developing country like the Dominican Republic, we face unprecedented challenges daily that require innovative solutions. In 2023, the first stock issuance in our country was launched by Cesar Iglesias, and we were deeply involved in its placement. This achievement positioned us among the brokerage firms that accomplished this milestone, which wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of our legal and structuring team. 

As well, during the past year, we were selected to be part of the Compliance Committee Council of the Association of Stock Exchange Brokers, with me serving as secretary. This responsibility involves actively participating in initiatives and addressing the challenges encountered by all compliance and legal areas across various brokerage firms.  

How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment?  

Within the team I lead in my office, I can mention that firstly, there are members from different generations as well as different genders. We have an open-office policy where everyone works in the same space, and everyone has access to me without much bureaucracy. Similarly, we hold regular meetings to track progress towards our departmental goals. Additionally, each team member is entitled to take a quarterly day off (in addition to their vacation days) as needed, which I encourage them all to take advantage of and not let go to waste 

In your opinion, what are the main trends that are salient in your country currently (these can be legal, political, economy or business-based)?  

In the Dominican Republic, we are in an electoral year, which means that although the elections have already passed, the new electoral term begins in August. This entails changes in both the legislative power and the restructuring of public ministries and institutions, potentially impacting the country’s economy. Additionally, working in a regulated office dependent on the Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores (SIMV), regulatory changes may occur due to the aforementioned electoral period changes. 

Regarding the securities market sector, we anticipate additional stock placements in the coming months, which remains a novelty for the Dominican market. Collaborating closely with other legal stakeholders will be crucial in the upcoming months