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

In terms of M&A, we have recently acquired the company Lwart.

We have also been a part of all of the contracts related to the construction of the greenest and largest pulp mill in the world in Lençois Paulista.

We are currently dealing with a relevant CPA disputing land acquisition in Brazil

Looking forward, what technological advancements do you feel will impact the role of in-house legal teams in the future the most? Which have you found most useful in your legal team?

In the world of contracts, there are a series of opportunities to use technology solutions to improve legal services. Advanced contract management systems and AI technology for contract standardisation are both great examples.

In general, what would you like to see change about the external law firms you use?

The role of the external counsel is incredibly challenging; external counsel must be a combination of a specialist in the legal field, as well as someone interested in understanding and connecting with the business. External counsel must be able to adapt and provide the specialised legal services to the specific need of the client. Understanding the non-legal reasons and elements of the discussion is as important as understanding the legal elements.

Another relevant point for me is the ability to adapt to the current demands – for example: (a) implementation of a real policy on diversity in all levels, including partnership; (b) have high standards of compliance and control within internal operations; and (c) a work-life balance discussion for the associates.

If you have worked in other countries, what are the main challenges unique to operating as an in-house counsel in your current location?

I have worked in both the US and the UK, and the unpredictability of the Brazilian legal scenarios is something that is a unique challenge. More than in any other jurisdiction I have worked before, Brazil has always a strong element of surprise – it is always very difficult to anticipate and prepare for what is coming.