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

Thoughtworks’ legal team gives extensive support to the business in Brazil and Latin America, from negotiating contracts with suppliers, customers and partners, and also with a very significant look at strategic issues that impact our people and the technology market. Two recent examples of the team’s performance are the company’s first M&A operation in the Brazilian market, and a process of collective bargaining with unions in different locations – a very unique movement in the market – with collective and plural efforts. Additionally, we have aimed to simplify processes, add new benefits to the company’s employees and influence the market.

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?

We can never forget that Law is a social science in its essence, and this should be the basis for formatting a successful legal team. Much has been said about the use of technology in Law, and the benefits we have when adopting practical and modern solutions are undeniable, and we must be aware of the legal technological revolution. In addition, curiosity, willingness to change and willingness to question the status quo are essential skills.

However, the most important skills that a team must develop are the essentially human ones, which enhance the construction of bridges between departments, empower people and understand that each and every legal dilemma is born from an individual or collective need. Here we can highlight empathy, collaboration, influence, building relevant relationships, relentless search for meaning and, above all, courage.

Courage is an essential element to navigate the corporate landscape, where the legal department is a forerunner in building complex solutions, based on little or no factual data. It is with courage, resilience and also recognising our vulnerability that we qualify as true operators of the law, building probable scenarios and creating solid foundations for a fair and inclusive future.

The unusual business environment created by the pandemic has been swiftly followed by other shocks. Are you now putting more emphasis on preparing for the unforeseen and, if so, what does this entail?

In a way, unpredictability is always present, at different levels, in a legal department, so looking to the future is essential. Perhaps the difference between the present and pre-pandemic times, is that pace has become more accelerated and decisions need to be made in more ambiguous scenarios.

I understand that the key to navigating these scenarios, in topics that still do not have a consolidated past legal basis, is to understand very well the bases of Law. When we have a solid technical base, knowing the principles of Law, we are able to resolve conflicts that do not yet have a regulation, navigate issues that touch different technical areas and draw more adaptable plans. In addition, become a great colleague to technically excellent external lawyers and, more importantly, to your business partners. It is your stakeholders who will bring you challenges and help you build solutions.