What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

In the last two years, our legal department’s approach has been preventive, particularly on due diligence issues, and as a company that is listed on the stock exchange, we deal with multiple transactions daily, for which we provide valuable legal advice. Additionally, we actively work on judicial matters, as our legal team does an incredible job in protecting our company’s interests and reputation.

Did the pandemic lead to a lasting increase in the interaction your legal team has with the strategic plans of the company?

I believe we gained greater importance and participation in the strategic plans of the company, because during those difficult times of the pandemic, our legal support was fundamental in keeping the company alive. As a company that develops shopping centres, the pandemic had a great impact on our business, due to their temporary closing, and as such, we were responsible for defining the company’s next steps during those times, as our legal interpretation and expertise set our direction. I also think that, in all, the pandemic period was one of transformation, of adapting to new technologies and for legal teams to have a more prominent role within companies. Though it was a very challenging period, it was also a period of advancements and of bringing departments within the company closer together.

As we live in a fast-paced world today, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?

I believe one needs to be versatile, there is no longer room for people to focused on specific areas, and as such we need to develop knowledge and skills on many other areas which have a direct impact on the company’s success. A more ample support is fundamental, always aligned with the values and strategy of the company. Also, it is important to develop new ways of presenting data and results, of absorbing and sharing information, not only internally, but also externally.

How important is choosing to work with external lawyers who align with your company’s values? Are you likely to reconsider what firms you work with based on this?

One thing I would point out is the need for improvement in better understanding of the client’s demands, bringing newer and more adequate solutions, instead of bringing preconceived ideas and already structured resolutions. Nowadays, we require something that is tailormade.