Team size: Eight

Major legal advisers: Posse Herrera Ruiz, Dentons, Arce Rojas

Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?

All documents related to KYC compliance policies are fulfilled electronically. We also created a bank of contract templates for standard services and special agreements. After legal training, the procurement department uses these agreements without legal interference. Each of these contracts have general provisions that are typically non-negotiable, and another set of clauses with special terms or conditions applicable to each agreement – the agent just needs to fill the blanks.

The minor services (low cost or low impact) use a small agreement with no negotiation gap; the provider just needs to accede to the contract. Lawyer assistance is focused on legal support for relevant contracts, saving time and effort in drafting agreements. This practice normalises and expedites the interactions between legal and procurement departments.

Can you foresee any key developments to the way general counsel work over the next five years?

The general counsel must be prepared to work with 17 SDGs (sustainability development goals) and incorporate such principles in the legal team. The relevant decisions, alongside respect for the law and internal corporate polices will aid in achieving these goals. General counsel are not just the leaders of an internal law firm, they are leaders of people who help the company to achieve its goals.

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?

We implemented a “zero paper” policy. Furthermore, all corporate documents must be created in electronical form, with digital signature.

What steps do you take to ensure the successful integration and adoption of new technologies among your team members?

The adoption of new technologies should be natural and logical. You need tools that simplify the work at a reasonable cost, while providing significant benefits. Complex technology or tools that depend on manual work are unreasonable.

How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment?

Implementing a zero-discrimination policy is mandatory. During the selection of personnel, the information requested remains the same, regardless of the number of candidates. Where possible, the examination of behaviours and aptitude does not identify the person.

Any kind of subjective parameters to choose candidates, such as gender, political preference, or religion, is forbidden.

What is a cause, business-related or otherwise, you are passionate about, and why?

I am passionate about helping the business without sacrificing ethical principles, and being a provider of solutions, even if this solution involves other disciplines.