How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience? 

The legal strategy is essential to provide security and minimise risks in the company’s strategy. In my case, I participated in the strategic planning and preparation of the risk matrix using the Bluetools de Viva Idea tool. From this, we define a line of necessary implementations in the legal strategy. For example, it was determined that liquidity would be a measure to counter the crisis, which involved modifying contracts with clients and applying legal pressure in the collection process. 

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?     

Our company is triple impact, generating a positive environmental and social impact with our operations. Additionally, we annually prepare a sustainability report based on the SDG action manager and establish goals for its fulfillment. From the legal aspect, we work to contextualise our sustainability actions within a safe legal framework and recommend adaptations to the strategies to avoid sanctions or problems with stakeholders. We have very interesting data on sustainability. Last year we obtained B Company recertification in Paraguay and Bolivia, and we will continue annual evaluations of our impact. 

What emerging technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future, and how do you stay updated on these developments?  

At Mamut, we have integrated several legal activities into our ERP and developed regulatory compliance and compliance tables, such as monitoring matrices to avoid administrative sanctions. We are also implementing AI in all company activities, currently in the art studio, with expectations of completion by the end of the year. I believe that the use of AI tools is already a present reality rather than a future one, and that it will cause drastic changes in our profession. 

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? 

In past administrations we signed the WEPS and actively participated in the gender roundtable of the global compact. This year we have focused on preserving the productive unit in Bolivia, consolidating operations in Paraguay, growing investments in that country and kick-starting soft-landing in Mexico. In that sense, the progress made continues, but we do not have new initiatives in diversity and inclusion planned for the 2024 administration. 

Can you comment on a particularly challenging dispute or M&A scenario you have faced and the innovative strategies you implemented to address it? 

Business organisations are facing profound challenges. I believe that legal practice in judicial collection processes due to client non-compliance is becoming an everyday task. At Mamut, the monitoring and management of these processes are part of our ERP through a special module. 

Furthermore, expansion into new markets requires that legal professionals have a global perspective and not just a local one, to correctly accompany the organisation’s goals and activities. In my case, I recognise my limitations in training in other legislations and I am open to working collaboratively with legal consultants that allow us to adjust our legal management model to the various contexts in which we operate. 

In your opinion, what are the main trends that are salient in your country currently (these can be legal, political, economy or business-based)? 

The economic issue will play an important role, determining the political destiny of the country and forcing significant reforms. On the legal side, the lack of resources in the public sector leads to greater administrative pressure to offset income through fines and sanctions on companies. 

It is crucial to pay attention to this moment and initiate defences in the sanctioning field, even if the amounts are not significant, since they will establish jurisprudence that is difficult to reverse. In this sense, we have decided to invest in an administrative legal defence, which is more costly in time, resources and money than paying the fine itself.