About

ArcelorMittal, the Luxembourg-headquartered company that is the largest steel producer in the world, has expanded its operations in Latin America significantly in the past decade. ArcelorMittal Brasil is comprised of 27 facilities and a distribution network with more than 110 units, which have a steel production capacity of over 11 million tonnes and iron ore production capacity of over 7 million tonnes. Supporting the 11,000 employees in the country is a legal team led by Suzana Fagundes, head of legal, compliance and institutional relations for Central and South Americas. Fagundes is known as an excellent competition lawyer; for example, last year she was awarded “Competition Lawyer of the Year” at the 2016 Latin American Corporate Counsel Awards. Having first joined ArcelorMittal in 2005, Fagundes has been a key part of the business’ development in Latin America. The legal team has had considerable input into a robust sustainability programme, which focusses on stakeholder engagement and environmental conscientiousness, and have encouraged ArcelorMittal’s involvement in a number of industry bodies that serve in the public interest and safety. On a personal level, Fagundes plays a critical role in the development of the role of in-house lawyers in Brazil. She has been chairwoman of the In-house Lawyer Commission, a professor at a number of educational institutions, and is currently a director of the Brazilian Bar Association. Her expertise within her company and her passion outside of it, make Fagundes one of the leading lights in the Brazilian in-house market. Fagundes recognises the collaboration with her team being crucial to achieving this; she describes them as being ‘so enthusiastic, dedicated and competent and the current and prior top management have all combined to inspire and support me and the entire legal function’.