Team size: 4

I joined Walmart in September 2009 as a regional lawyer of the agribusiness division and was appointed legal manager for Costa Rica in 2014. In 2019, I was also appointed legal manager for El Salvador.

Walmart has taught me to listen first, and that knowing how to work in this business involves understanding people’s needs. Moving ‘away’ from our desks and learning the reality of our stores helps us to be a more conscious and engaged business.

During these 13 years at Walmart, I have developed leadership skills, persevered under pressure, and have fostered the capacity to adapt easily to changes. Change is constant at a company like Walmart, and we are always reinventing ourselves to fulfil the customers’ needs. The legal department is no exception, and we must look for different and creative ways to solve evolving demands.

I am in charge of a team of four very smart young women. I have been working to empower my team and I want our clients to feel confident in their legal opinions. Involving my team in more strategic company matters has exposed them to varied career paths and provided a wider legal team with which our internal clients can rely on.

I participate as a business partner within the core units of the company offering senior legal advice on complex transactions, approved litigation strategies, operation rules set by governing authorities, employee rights, and more. I serve to manage all company litigations, identify legal risk before impact, and meet with regulating bodies to discuss the potential ramifications of evolving regulations.

We are constantly reviewing our litigation strategy and focusing our efforts on matters that are likely to be highly impactful to the company. Our main objective is to know how the company works and to give accurate legal opinions that may be implemented to keep the business’ continuity.

We have developed a very good relationship with our external lawyers who understand our needs and give us alternative solutions, creative advice, and help us mitigate risk.