Team size: 16

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

The last most relevant transactions we led as a local legal team were in 2018, which consisted of the purchase of the life, health, and savings insurance businesses of the local insurer Euroamerica, as well as its subsidiary that manages mutual and investment funds, including investment vehicles in Luxembourg. The second transaction, which is currently in progress, pending closing, corresponds to the sale of the life annuity businesses to Ohio Insurance Company.

How important is choosing to work with external lawyers who align with your company’s values? Are you likely to reconsider what firms you work with based on this?

When selecting a law office, a particularly essential element that I consider is whether the external law firm understands the operation of large corporations, or in our case, international companies. It is vastly different to legally advise a small local company than a large international company. For example, the risk appetite and decision-making government may be different. It is imperative that the external lawyers understand and know the company. I am always evaluating external lawyers, and if necessary, evaluating other law firms.

In general, what would you like to see change about the external law firms you use?

Normally we request the help or advice of a law office when we need to resolve a complex issue, or on a subject with special regulations, whose knowledge we do not have in the internal legal team. I expect law firms, when giving advice, to have a broad view regarding the effects for the entire Company and risks involved. In other words, that they not only review the question they are asked for a specific subject but also have a look at possible effects in other areas.

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?

It is important for legal teams to possess leadership abilities, soft skills to relate to all the company’s teams, be proactive, solve problems with good legal judgment, be quick to resolve doubts or queries, have passion for what they do, be responsible, and stay updated on new laws, trends, jurisprudence.