What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

As legal counsel, I am involved in strategic decisions and transactions. We must demonstrate knowledge, strengths, capabilities, and leadership focused on the corporation’s strategy in every operation. Legal counsel must deeply understand applicable regulation, internal policies and procedures, compliance risk mapping, data privacy and protection, antitrust, corporate-related matters and litigation.

Recently I have been involved in several significant cases that have involved arbitration and litigations, and all ended in favour of the corporation. We have lately been concerned with an administrative procedure in which we have implemented measures and controls to avoid recurrence.

Moreover, we have been very active from the compliance perspective by implementing some tools related to Data Privacy and Protection to mitigate risks and training on this matter to employees in the country.

What will be the main focus for the company in the next 12 months and how do you intend to assist with this?

Sustainability for energy transition is one of the main focuses for the corporation globally and locally. Understanding clients, domestic and global objectives will be the key to assisting and succeeding in this matter.

As a leading energy company, we are responsible for environmental and social sustainability. We must participate in addressing the needs and opportunities and understanding the risks of the energy transition. Legal has an essential role in achieving these goals.

Concerning Colombia, we will have to follow up on energy security, inflation, new challenges and market growth. New risks have recently emerged, and the legal team must participate in any decision-making process to guarantee the achievement of the company’s objectives.

If you had to give advice to an aspiring in-house lawyer or general counsel, what would it be and why?

In-house lawyers need to become business partners improving their knowledge about the company’s operations, managing the business, understanding key contracts, applicable regulations, compliance environment, risks and strategy. Only by doing so they will be considered and recognised as trusted advisors.