Team size: 30

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

Codelco’s legal team has been focused in recent months on several key areas including active participation in the development of strategic projects and the negotiation of joint venture contracts with third parties. Our lawyers have also been diligently analysing legal contingencies and ensuring regulatory compliance in all business areas, as well as providing crucial support in the execution of tenders and negotiation of contracts related to renewable energy, equipment supply and critical services. The team has supported the resolution of high-potential disputes and safeguarded the company’s interests in national and international courts, while closely monitoring and enforcing environmental, corporate, mining and labour regulations, as it plays a vital role in maintaining a strong relationship with supervisory authorities.

Looking forward, what technological advancements do you feel will impact the role of in-house legal teams in the future the most?

We still have a long way to go in this area, but it is certainly a priority that we act as soon as possible. The world of legal operations is already reshaping the way legal advice is delivered with companies. Streamlining routine or standardised tasks through document and contract management allows lawyers to focus their time and energy on more strategic work, creating value for the business. I also believe that Artificial Intelligence will bring significant changes to the efficiency and optimisation of legal processes within organisations in the short term. As a legal team, we must adapt to these challenges by embracing innovation and keeping an open mind, continuous learning is necessary to understand how to effectively use the tools available and to find the time and resources to acquire and maintain the necessary skills to fully exploit the potential offered by these technological advances.

As we live in a fast-paced world today, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?

In addition to up-to-date legal knowledge, in-house lawyers must have a profound understanding of their industry and company, its operations, business model, culture, challenges, and difficulties. It is no longer sufficient to only mitigate risks or anticipate problems; in-house lawyers must aim to create value through a proactive approach that offers creative, flexible, and tailored solutions to the company’s reality. This enables the company to move forward while balancing strategic, commercial, and operational objectives with the effective management of legal, regulatory, and reputational risks. Furthermore, it is essential to develop several specific “soft” skills, many of which are not usually taught in law schools but are acquired through experience. These skills include strategic thinking and commercial acumen, effective communication with different stakeholders, adaptability, the ability to make decisions and assess risks in uncertain environments, and certain management skills.