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

Since high school, my passion for law and justice has driven me. I have always been an outspoken advocate for fairness and justice, standing up for others even when it posed challenges. This commitment extended to my friends, particularly females, for whom I became a voice when needed. I took my uncle Joaquin who is a Circuit Judge as my reference for a career path; therefore, my goal at that time was to be a Supreme Court Justice.

In college, I recognised the need to start early on my path to the Supreme Court, so I began working as a trainee in Criminal Federal Courts. The experience included transcribing court proceedings alongside inmates and delving into distressing criminal cases. Despite the challenges, I persevered, dedicating my mornings to studying and the rest of my days to court duties, all without pay and covering my own expenses. However, I must confess I never liked the atmosphere; I do not wish to digress but there was a lot of politics involved. 

One day, I interviewed with a recruiting company that was seeking a law student for a part-time position at General Motors Financial. I got the job thanks to my criminal law background. There, I supported the compliance officer in implementing Anti-Money Laundering Regulations, essentially building the department from the ground up. This part-time role quickly evolved into a full-time position. I continued my studies while working the night shift, and upon graduating, I received a permanent position as part of the company’s legal staff. 

Writing this reminds me why I love my in-house counsel role: making a difference, using my voice, building valuable relationships in GMF, Mercedes-Benz, and Vitesco Technologies. I am committed to ensuring justice, compliance, and women’s empowerment in the corporate world. My career journey shifted from a Supreme Court Justice dream to a General Counsel role in a large company, but my passion for advocacy remains unwavering.

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

The beauty of the in-house counsel role is that you can see and participate in literally everything; from delivering periodic reports to auditors or letters to banks to getting involved in complex mergers and acquisitions matters. It is not just the usual legal work that a company requires, such as reviewing contracts, drafting memoranda, drafting shareholder meetings, granting powers of attorney, providing active advice on various issues, dealing with claims and litigation, among others. The role also entails becoming an ambassador for the company; embracing the company’s mission, vision, and values; gaining a deep understanding of the business and recognising that you are a critical part of driving business objectives.

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

I must say that the main challenge has been and probably always will be dealing with a huge variety of topics at the same time. There is also the fact that you serve all areas of the company, and they all have their own challenges and priorities, so the in-house counsel must be conscious to balance the workload.

As much as I want to believe that my gender and personality have never worked against me, another challenge I have dealt with preconceived notions. People have often labelled me as “too young,” “too masculine,” “too feminine,” “too strong,” “too direct,” or even “too ambitious for seeking a better position while having a husband.” In the end, I believe that being honest with yourself, being fair and respectful, and accepting the fact that everyone can have their own perspective, can keep you sane and grounded.

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

As a dedicated professional, I prioritise continuous learning; I regularly update my legal knowledge by attending webinars, seminars, and courses, not limited to legal topics. For example, I am currently enhancing my HR expertise through a seminar, enabling me to collaborate effectively with my HR colleagues. Networking is also vital for development. I actively engage with Abogadas MX and maintain strong connections with peers and professionals from various organisations. 

I value mentorship, which has significantly contributed to my professional growth. I maintain a network of mentors for guidance, support, and idea exchange. Finally, it is important to establish clear goals and frequently revisit them, creating clear steps to achieve them.