Team size: 20 lawyers in ADM Latam, distributed as follows: 13 in Brazil, two in Paraguay, two in Argentina, and three in Mexico.

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

The team have been the protagonists in ADM’s sustainable growth strategy. We have led significant acquisitions and M&A transactions, allowing ADM to consolidate its position in the agribusiness market related to grains, where ADM traditionally operates as a leader, as well as in human and animal nutrition markets.

The team also perform solid management and preventive work regarding litigation in areas such as tax, labour, civil, intellectual property, and environmental law, among others. They participate in all major decisions, ensuring ADM’s sustainable growth strategy.

We were involved in the acquisition of Buckminster Química in November 2023. This plant specialises in the production of high-quality glycerin, an essential product for the food, health, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.

Plant Plus Foods is a company that produces and distributes high-quality plant-based products and was born from the collaboration of two giants in the food industry: ADM, a global leader in nutrition with more than 75 years of alternative protein innovation, and Marfrig, the world’s largest hamburger producer.

We have also been involved in a venture capital investment in Grão Direto. This startup is considered the most promising digital grain marketplace in the world. Its direct connection with the Chicago Stock Exchange (CME Group) and the solutions offered through a 100% digital negotiation process have resulted in impressive grain negotiation outcomes and volumes already achieved by the platform.

We have also been involved in the creation of a digital solution named Carguero (Strada). This platform offers solutions for the transportation of agricultural products and is expanding its capacity to serve other markets that use road freight transport services nationally, essential for daily operations.

Finally, we have been involved in structured operations involving fertilisers, agrochemicals and seeds for farmers.

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

In addition to a strong technical background, in-house lawyers need to possess specific soft skills such as effective communication, time management, a results-oriented profile, flexibility, adaptability, and a spirit of teamwork.

The complexity of the global political, social, and economic environment requires continuous learning and creative solutions from in-house professionals. Besides being providers of innovative solutions, modern in-house lawyers must act as positive influencers, empowering the company’s leadership and stakeholders to make better decisions.

Finally, in-house lawyers play an essential role as trendsetters, not only within their own company but also by influencing the broader sector.

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

Legal believes it is essential to partner with business counterparts. To do so, we maintain close, transparent, and frequent communication channels, encouraging them to involve the legal department in advance in projects and strategic negotiations.

Furthermore, ADM Legal has developed many training initiatives, spreading legal knowledge and educating stakeholders to achieve better results. The main goal is to have stakeholders understand basic legal structures and concepts that can be useful when negotiating deals. For example, we offer Contract Training sessions to the Procurement Department, which helps reduce negotiation time and increase their results.

Moreover, ADM lawyers work closely with the business and are able to bring creative, innovative, and sustainable solutions. This contributes positively to the success of our business in various areas such as grains, human, and animal nutrition.

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

I am passionate about inspiring people to unlock their full potential. I am dedicated to studying human behaviour and psychology, which are interesting tools for personal and professional talent development.