Vice president and general counsel | The Coca-Cola Company
Flavio Mattos
Vice president and general counsel | The Coca-Cola Company
Team size: 16
What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?
As part of a complex geography and as one of the top three operations of The Coca-Cola Company, the legal department in LATAM is involved in highly significant projects throughout the region, encompassing matters ranging from litigation and anti-trust to compliance and data privacy.
What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?
In order to be successful as an in-house lawyer in the beverage industry, a counsel needs to understand the market structure and regulatory environment of the sector, identify the relevant players, and recognise the challenges companies face in paving the way for growth. In this sense, it is imperative that a lawyer improves their soft skills, such as communication, networking, influence, and resilience.
How have you fostered a closer collaboration between the legal department and your business counterparts?
By being part of the Leadership Team, I have the opportunity to participate in key discussions and decisions that affect the strategy of the LATAM region for the company. The legal team also participates in market visits across the territories, which not only ensures that the team learns about the business but also reinforces networks and synergies within the business.
Do you have a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about?
I am passionate about preparing and developing my team to thrive in a complex and dynamic business environment. Furthermore, as a lawyer, I am also keenly interested in human rights challenges.
General counsel for Latin America | The Coca-Cola Company