General counsel, Spain and LATAM | Inetum
José María Balboa
General counsel, Spain and LATAM | Inetum
Team size: 20
LATAM countries your role covers: Argentina, Brasil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, México, Panamá, Perú, República Dominicana
What are the most significant cases and transactions in the LATAM region that you or your legal team have recently been involved in?
In general, the most significant cases pertain to supporting the provision of services to clients in the realm of new technologies, not only locally, as we actively participate in business operations across various regions worldwide. The outstanding added value that the legal department generates to Inetum is in this field, we help business teams sell services and create sustainable and profitable relationships with clients. We work to generate realistic contractual proposals, meeting the needs and expectations of clients and Inetum.
Ware also involved in M&A activities in these countries, which are important for us. In our sector, growth through the acquisition of companies is a very widespread occurrence. That is why our participation in this type of transaction is fundamental in all the jurisdictions in which we are present, through complementary internal and external teams.
Finally, our team is participating in various international litigations for commercial disputes valued at more than 20 million euros. Working alongside our external advisors, we establish the legal strategy, prepare the case, and lead the defence.
What are your organisations plans in the LATAM region over the next 12 months and how will your legal expertise help to achieve these plans?
Inetum plans to continue growing sustainably across the LATAM region. To achieve this goal, our legal team has established an efficient network of internal and external lawyers dedicated to adding value to the business. This involves their active participation from the beginning of operations through to their closure, positioning us as strategic advisors within the organisation.
We continue to improve different processes and tools to grant the business greater autonomy in closing its operations, thereby ensuring speed and efficiency. We also integrate technology into our department and processes to harmonise them with the rest of the company’s areas.
Furthermore, we have established a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in our department to measure our activity and the value we contribute to the organisation. This allows us to make informed decisions to further improve the legal function, both internally and externally at Inetum.
How do you adapt your legal counselling to align with the diverse business practices and customs of various LATAM countries?
We take into consideration the local reality, not only from a legal point of view but also from the view of cultural customs and practices of each geography. Furthermore, our legal departments are local and located in the geographies where we operate. We do not intend to advise from a distance; instead, we aim to be close to the business teams and our clients. Of course, corporate guidelines are issued, and we have a clear framework for legal risk management. However, as mentioned earlier, these are adapted to the local reality. For this adaptation, the local lawyer plays an essential role, they propose the necessary adjustments, and these are agreed upon jointly.