About

As senior vice president for legal affairs at PriceSmart, the largest operator of membership warehouse clubs in Central America and the Caribbean, since 1998, Ernesto Grijalva has provided support to the dynamic growth of the company in the region. The team has grown from two in-house attorneys handling legal issues for two retail locations in one country (Panama), to five attorneys, working with approximately 30 outside law firms, handling legal issues for over 30 subsidiaries and 38 retail locations in 13 countries. Recognising that despite similarities in statutory law there are differences in how individual countries interpret certain laws, Grijalva has developed key relationships with outside counsel in individual countries, thus allowing for the design of tailor-made legal policies and practices necessary for success. The legal compliance function led by Grijvala has an excellent reputation in Central America, shown by the fact that several international customs departments have reached out to the team for assistance with their attempts to determine the true cost of imported goods. Prior to joining PriceSmart, Grijalva spent a year as a corporate counsel and vice president for international relations at the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce, and four years as an adjunct professor of international and business law at universities in the US and Mexico. Between 1987 and 1997, Grijalva operated his own private practice boutique in the US and Mexico.