Team Size:Four

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

In Ecuador, there is a constant sense of crisis and uncertainty. It is essential for a legal advisor to adapt and evolve continuously, enabling them to provide accurate responses in situations that differ from their usual experience. As a corporate lawyer, I focus on three key aspects: prevention, continuous legal updates, and the use of efficient tools.

Prevention: It is crucial to understand that anticipating legal issues leads to more efficient and cost-effective outcomes. Prevention involves foreseeing critical situations arising from non-compliance with regulations. If this aspect is neglected, complications are likely to emerge across various areas of the company.

Continuous legal updates: It is not only essential to stay up to date with Ecuadorian regulations but also to understand how technological advancements and the political landscape are evolving. An in-house lawyer who is not actively engaged with society is unlikely to know how to respond effectively to a crisis within any company.

Efficient tools: These tools vary, ranging from an effective platform that keeps me informed on different areas of law to external lawyers, technical advisors, and contacts who help make problems or crises within the company more manageable and easier to handle.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

For a modern in-house counsel, the most important attributes are:

Business acumen: Understanding the company’s goals and how legal decisions can support or hinder those objectives.

Adaptability: The ability to adjust to the fast-paced, ever-changing business environment and evolving legal landscape.

Collaboration and communication skills: Effectively conveying complex legal issues in simple terms to stakeholders across the organisation.

Proactiveness: Identifying potential risks and addressing them before they escalate into more significant issues.

Technology proficiency: Leveraging legal technology to enhance efficiency and streamline legal processes.

What do you think sets you apart from other in-house counsel?

What sets me apart is my ability to bridge the gap between legal requirements and business strategy. I always approach legal matters with a solution-oriented mindset, ensuring that the legal department not only mitigates risks but also enables the business to move forward. My background in corporate law and proactive legal risk management allows me to anticipate potential issues before they arise and contribute strategically to the company’s long-term goals.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

I am deeply passionate about negotiation, particularly in securing fair agreements for businesses. I firmly believe that establishing equitable deals not only fosters business growth and sustainability but also ensures the genuine respect of workers’ rights in my country. To me, a successful negotiation is not merely measured by immediate financial gains but by how it contributes to a fairer and more balanced environment for all parties involved. Through agreements that safeguard labour rights and promote responsible business practices, I feel I can contribute to a more ethical and just development within my community.