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

The most significant project we have been involved in is related to the green hydrogen project that Gasvalpo is carrying out in La Serena and Coquimbo. Gasvalpo distributes natural gas in several cities in Chile, and we have developed a pilot project that involves mixing natural gas and green hydrogen and injecting it into the gas network to supply our existing clients.

In terms of the legal framework, hydrogen is still in an early stage of regulation. Currently, the Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels (SEC) is in charge of evaluating hydrogen projects and granting authorisation once all technical standards and safety requirements had been met.

As general counsel, I have been involved in the risk assessment of the project from the beginning, working out what steps we need to take for the project to become a reality. We had to assess not only the operational risks, but also the regulatory and compliance risks associated with this innovative proposal.

My team and I had to prepare the application to the SEC and other authorities, the agreements with third parties, the documents to purchase the electrolyser and other equipment fitted with the latest technology available on the market, perform testing, and communicate the project to the clients. The first phase of the project was successfully implemented at the end of 2022, and we expect to continue with the second phase soon. This project represents a great challenge for the company, and I am proud to be part of the team leading it.

Why are in-house lawyers well-placed to drive change in their organisations?

In-house lawyers are very well placed to drive change in their organisations, as they have a solid understanding of the business and the general environment, not only from a legal point of view, but also from a more holistic perspective including issues related to compliance, ESG, and ethics. In fact, many in-house lawyers already play a key role in promoting change.

The role of the in-house lawyer has evolved from that of a legal expert to that of a member of the management team, fully involved in the business. In the last two years, where nothing is as certain as it once was, legal departments have had to adapt and undergo a major transformation in the way they deliver services. They have had to incorporate technology, evaluate their performance through key indicators linked to business results, and follow the logic and needs of the business. Having experienced the changes, it is much easier to push them outside the confines of the legal team and motivate staff to take them on board. In addition, many in-house lawyers have access to board members, and are key players in driving significant change within organisations, lawyers can act as a communication channel between the top and the bottom of the organisation.

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?

The crucial skills that a legal team must possess are a strong attitude, competence, commitment, flexibility, and curiosity. Times change all too quickly, and so do the rules, so the ability to adapt to change, embrace it and use it to your advantage will be key. There are many lawyers today with huge academic records, these are very impressive and can say a lot about the lawyer, but in the end, it is more the skills that I have mentioned that make the real difference. We need lawyers with an open mind, who understand the business and the transformation that society is undergoing to be able to provide the service that stakeholders expect.

How do you suggest in-house lawyers build strong relationships with business partners?

I do not believe that building strong relationships in this case is any different from building strong relationships between anyone else. Being reliable, sticking to your commitments, trustworthy, diligent, fair, and acting in line with their values should facilitate and create a long and lasting relationship in any scenario.