Legal director, compliance officer and data protection officer | Equatorial Energia
José Silva Sobral Neto
Legal director, compliance officer and data protection officer | Equatorial Energia
Team size: 172
What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?
Acquisition of distributors CELG (ENEL-GO) and CEEE-D (RS), as well as acquisition of Echoenergia, a renewables platform for the Equatorial Group. In addition to these transactions in the electricity sector, the acquisition of a water and sanitation concession in the state of Amapá was one of the most relevant transactions because it represented a change in the Company’s positioning in the infrastructure sector.
What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?
Specific knowledge of the electricity sector is important, but, above all, good general knowledge (labour, corporate, tax, etc.). Likewise, strategic vision, people management, ability to implement organisational culture and adapt to changes.
How have you fostered a closer collaboration between the legal department and your business counterparts?
In my view, the appropriate choice of partner offices involves strategic analysis of market performance, considering specialty, differentiated service, availability, alignment with the company’s values.
Do you have a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about?
Yes, passionate about entrepreneurship.
Legal director, compliance officer and data protection officer | Equatorial Energia