Team size: 33

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

In July 2023, the company ended its public offering for the secondary distribution of common shares, in which 130,000,000 common shares issued by the company were acquired and settled, without any accounting impact, all nominative, book-entry, with no par value, free and clear of any encumbrances or encumbrances.

We obtained the “Pró-Ética” Certificate in the 2022-2023 cycle, the most prestigious corporate integrity seal in Brazil, issued by the Controladoria Geral da União, a body of the Brazilian federal government responsible for defending public assets, transparency, and fight against corruption.

Hidrovias do Brasil won the Simplified Selection Process nº 3/2023 carried out by Companhia Docas do Pará – CDP, for the use and exploration of an area available in the water surface, to carry out an operation of transhipment of solid vegetable and mineral bulk in the organized Port of Vila do Conde, Barcarena, Pará.

In July 2022, we completed the 2nd Issuance of Simple Debentures. The resources raised from the issue were used to optimise the company’s capital structure. The company carried out a bond repurchase program with resources arising from the 2nd Debenture Issue.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

Being able to clearly articulate complex legal issues to legal and especially to non-legal people within the organisation is crucial. This includes the ability to communicate effectively in meetings and presentations.

Handling a variety of responsibilities and deadlines requires effective time management to accomplish goals, meet all deadlines, reduce stress, and maintain a healthy work-life balance;

Learning in a way that extends beyond traditional academic subjects and considers all aspects of life. Learning opportunities exists in various contexts and experiences, including personal, professional and social activities.

Being able to analyse legal situations from a strategic perspective and develop solutions that consider the company’s business objectives is essential. Furthermore, emotionally intelligent individuals are better able to cope with change and maintain positive relationships even in challenging situations.

Finally, to be a successful in-house lawyer, it is mandatory to uphold the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and professionalism, acting as a trusted advisor to the company, providing honest and ethical guidance even in challenging situations.

How have you fostered a closer collaboration between the legal department and your business counterparts?

The operations of the company are complex and far reaching, involving daily activities in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina, besides special projects and transactions with legal attachments to other jurisdictions. Hence, it is mandatory to understand business objectives and priorities. This helps to align legal efforts with the broader goals of the organisation and demonstrate the value that the legal department can provide.

It is also important to establish open lines of communication with business counterparts, enabling the discussion of upcoming projects and any related potential legal risks, which contributes to building strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organisation. With the understanding of the needs of your business counterparts, you can be proactive in offering legal support and guidance to business teams, including providing training sessions on legal issues relevant to their work and to business objective.

Finally, by encouraging the legal team to develop a deep understanding of the business’s goals, challenges, and processes and seeking to make the business counterparts to understand the role of the legal department and how legal considerations impact their work, enable both parties to work together more effectively, fostering closer collaboration and ultimately driving better outcomes for the organization as a whole.

Do you have a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

In 2014, a group of six colleagues, including myself, recognised there was a lack of dedicated spaces for in-house lawyers to openly discuss their unique challenges within the Brazilian corporate counsel community. Thus, we initiated the Jurídico Sem Gravata (JSG) initiative. This endeavour aimed to unite local in-house professionals, fostering an environment for sharing ideas and best practices. It has blossomed into a nationwide network boasting hundreds of members and a substantial social media following.

Practicing sports is another passion of mine. I have concluded seven marathons and several triathlon races. Preparing and training for such events opens up a world of opportunities for personal growth, physical fitness, travel and connection with others.