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?   

Periods of crisis can have a negative impact on any business, so they need to be approached proactively rather than reactively, acting with full control and flexible thinking. By applying preventive law along with an up-to-date legal compliance system in the company, it is possible to neutralise many risks, but when facing a crisis, an adequate legal strategy must be applied, not alone, but hand in hand with the interests of the company. Ideally, having a crisis management manual that anticipates potential scenarios and outlines departmental roles can enhance preparedness and response effectiveness. 

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

We have been strengthening the implementation of due diligence in internal and external processes, also working directly with each of the areas of the company to determine the aspects that need to be adjusted or changed to ensure compliance with current legislation and regulations, which are constantly updated, bolstering the legal department of the company to support each and every one of the operations of the company in the most efficient way possible. 

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?  

As an agro-industrial company, we know the importance of practicing and promoting eco-sustainable actions, which can be verified from the planting of the coffee in the farms and the process that follows until it reaches the consumer, who receives a noble product that does not generate a negative impact on the environment. In addition, we generate employment opportunities for the inhabitants of the communities where coffee is grown, and recently, we are providing training to coffee growers to increase their production and better practices in their agricultural processes, especially in terms of sustainability. 

What emerging technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future, and how do you stay updated on these developments? 

Artificial intelligence is a tool to be mastered in the present and near future of law, to which we must adapt and not fear, making it our ally for more efficient processes. We must be aware of all updates and developments in this regard, applicable to the improvement of our legal practice, so as to take full advantage of it, taking special care in ethical and privacy issues related to the use of personal data and cybercrime.