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

Unilever is one of the world’s leading food, personal care and household cleaning companies and more than half of its growth occurs in emerging and developing markets.

Thus, as Unilever’s legal area, we faced one of the most significant challenges in recent years: the complete transformation of our business in Chile during the pandemic. Although this operation was focused on Chile, it also had an international scope, involving other countries such as Peru and England.

This complex operation encompassed three business areas, with more than 800 employees, and required the outsourcing of our production. During this process, we were faced with various legal issues, such as labor issues, free competition, imports and exports, mergers, and acquisitions.

It is important to always note that we remained aligned with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, ensuring our absolute compliance with international legal and ethical standards.

Why are in-house lawyers well-placed to drive change in their organisations?  

In-house lawyers play a crucial role in driving organisational changes as they are directly involved in the business. Their engagement throughout the entire project lifecycle enables them to support the process and collaborate closely with relevant teams.

Thanks to their privileged position, in-house lawyers possess a holistic understanding of the business, allowing them to provide comprehensive recommendations. They consider all the necessary elements in any process being developed in other areas and proactively identify opportunities, challenges, and risks.

With their comprehensive perspective, in-house lawyers are well-equipped to offer strategic legal advice that aligns with the business objectives and vision.

What diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have you and your legal department been championing within your company’s endeavours?

First and foremost, our department is fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, which are central themes in Unilever’s global management. It is important to highlight that in Latin America, 90% of our legal team comprises women, and in Chile specifically, the legal department is exclusively composed of women. This representation not only demonstrates our dedication to gender equity but also signifies our commitment to promoting equal opportunities within both the department and the company as a whole.

Furthermore, I am personally involved in Unilever’s Diversity Global Squad, where we promote three key pillars within the legal area. Firstly, “Legal for legal” focuses on training our own lawyers in matters of diversity, fostering an inclusive and respectful culture within the department. Secondly, “Legal for business” concentrates on how our legal expertise supports inclusion throughout the organization, leveraging our legal knowledge to contribute to this goal. This involves providing legal advice that encourages inclusive practices and promotes diversity in all aspects of the company. Lastly, “Legal for partners” aims to align our external advisors with our inclusion policies, considering suppliers with inclusive and diverse practices when making decisions regarding collaboration.

Moreover, I take pride in being one of the founders of Abogadas In-House, an organisation that boasts more than 600 women members. It brings together lawyers from various industries, both national and multinational, spanning the public and private sectors, with a nationwide presence. Abogadas In-House, as a professional network, seeks to continuously improve the professional development of women in the legal field, particularly as in-house lawyers. Its mission is to enhance the visibility of their roles and promote their participation in leadership positions.

As we live in a fast-paced world today, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry? 

In today’s fast-paced world, it is crucial for legal professionals to possess specific skills that enable them to adapt to the ever-changing landscape. One of the major challenges lies in the evolution of law schools, which need to expand their coverage beyond traditional legal topics and focus on corporate law and business.

In this regard, it is essential to combine the logic of business with the logic of law. This entails creating a legal framework within the organisation where the legal team provides significant added value beyond legal studies. They become strategic partners who possess a deep understanding of the company’s operations and business context.