Can you tell us about your journey to becoming an in-house counsel? What inspired you to pursue a career in this field? 

My journey in the in the financial legal world began when I joined CONSAR as the chief of department on financial regulation. Over the course of four years, I played a pivotal role in reviewing and issuing all the financial regulations for pension funds in Mexico. This experience as a regulator provided him with a unique perspective and comprehensive knowledge of the financial industry. 

To further broaden my expertise and legal acumen on banking and financial law I joined Galicia Abogados, one of the top law firms in Mexico that allowed me to gained insights into various aspects of the banking and finance industry, strengthening my position as a capital markets and banking finance lawyer. Building on my experience as a banking and finance lawyer I made a natural move to become an in-house lawyer at HSBC. My time at HSBC allowed me to immerse myself in the intricacies of the banking sector, working closely with the institution to provide legal guidance on various financial products and transactions.

In your role as an in-house counsel, what are the main responsibilities and tasks you handle on a day-to-day basis?

My role as in-house counsel goes beyond just providing legal advice and managing legal matters. It involves leadership, team management, and fostering a strong legal partnership with the company’s various stakeholders to support the organisation’s growth and success. My ability to coordinate and maintain a close relationship with regional legal teams and headquarters in London ensures a cohesive and unified approach to legal matters across the organization. 

As an in-house counsel I am responsible for: (i) coordinating, assessing, mentoring, and guiding a legal team of 20 lawyers in Mexico; (ii) maintain a close relationship with the legal teams based in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among the regional teams; (iii) establish and maintain regular communication with the legal team at the company’s headquarters in London to ensure alignment with the company’s overall legal strategy and goals; (iv) engage with the business in Mexico and other regions to understand their legal needs and provide well-informed legal advice to support their decision-making process; (v) to collaborate with the legal team to identify and assess legal risks associated with business initiatives and providing guidance on risk mitigation strategies, (vi) to oversee legal projects, transactions, and initiatives to ensure timely and successful completion while meeting legal requirements, and (vii) to manage the legal department’s budget, including resource allocation, cost control, and effective use of external legal services.

What are some of the key challenges you have faced as a rising star in-house counsel, and how have you overcome them?

Managing a diverse and sophisticated group of lawyers within the organization presents a complex challenge. As an in-house lawyer and leader, I must balance the varied expertise and perspectives of his legal team. Each lawyer brings their own set of skills, experiences, and knowledge to the table, which can be both enriching and demanding. Effectively harnessing the collective capabilities of his team requires excellent leadership and communication skills, as well as a genuine interest in learning from his colleagues.

What steps have you taken to enhance your professional development and expand your legal skill set?

As an in-house lawyer, I have demonstrated a proactive approach to enhancing my professional development and expanding my legal skill set. Some of my additional steps to improve and expand my legal skill set is to be a lecturer at Universidad Panamericana for the module of international financial law, teaching can be an effective way to deepen one’s understanding of a subject and stay current with legal concepts and developments.