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

My first job after law school was as an in-house counsel of a transnational company in a legal department that had a vertical structure (I reported to the regional general counsel of Latin America for the legal matters in Mexico); this allowed me to learn about various legal matters from diverse areas that impacted the company. Upon my return from my master’s degree, I worked for an international law firm in the real estate practice for more than six years. 

What inspired me to pursue a career as an in-house counsel is the development of the business-oriented view in taking decisions regarding legal matters. 

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

My main responsibilities and tasks are analysing and applying the legal structure of the company’s real estate transactions, protecting its interests under the applicable regulatory framework, and aiming for the continuous development of the company. Moreover, I direct, lead, and coordinate legal audits and perform analysis on prevention or mitigation of legal risks in real estate transactions or, if any legal issue has arisen, seek and implement legal strategies for remediation actions. 

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

The primary challenge is staying ahead of the exponential market growth and shifts brought about by nearshoring effects. Luckily, I have assembled a robust in-house and outside counsel team that have implemented measures to streamline transaction management. This includes simplifying legal documents to speed up negotiations, and facilitating quick decision-making when evaluating business opportunities in light of potential transaction risks.  

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

I have enrolled in academic programs to consolidate my management position by further developing my management and leadership skills and complement my profile by broadening my knowledge in diverse areas that impact FINSA’s operations, such as corporate finance, corporate governance, HR, and compliance.