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

Last year my legal team was involved in the negotiation of several service contracts for the mining industry, these with the most important mining companies in Chile, for example, Codelco, Antofagasta Minerals and BHP. This year we are also involved in the negotiation of extremely high value contracts, and we expect to increase our level of growth in the industry, reaffirming our role as a major player in the field of mining services. Ferrovial Servicios has a great capacity to support our clients in the full range of services that are outsourced by mining companies. We are actively participating in the bidding process and are highly regarded in our industry as an extremely reliable business partner.

It is worth mentioning that Ferrovial specialises in providing different types of industrial services for mining, energy, ports and industry in general, which includes engineering, construction, environmental, and project management services. The services are provided through the three operating companies: Steel, Berliam and Ferrovial Servicios Ambientales, with a total of 3,500 employees in Chile.

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

In-house lawyers are not only well placed but are key to driving change within the organisation. This was recently demonstrated by the role legal teams played in the coronavirus pandemic, and the uncertain business environment created by it. Complex trial decisions were driven by the legal department, even in the absence of a law regulating the difficult scenarios the business faced.

From my perspective, the role of the internal team is to be strategic drivers of the business, a genuine strategic business partner that supports the organisation. In my team’s experience, we get involved in strategic decisions and we work to improve the processes of the entire company. I can say that we are in a privileged position to do so. First, because as legal director I am part of the Ferrovial executive team, which means that the in-house legal department is positioned at equal footing with the other areas of the company. Also, because being an in-house team allows the team to understand the unique needs of the business, including a full understanding of internal policies, workflows, and industry trends, so we are better equipped to determine what strategies work for our business, unlike outside counsel, who do not have the same approach. In-house teams focus on the big picture, unlike outside legal counsel who traditionally focus on individual matters.

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?

As I mentioned before, the first skill to develop is the ability to combine legal and business-financial knowledge to understand, prioritise, and provide advice to ensure that the business keeps its legal risks within acceptable parameters. Legal teams need to move on from a legal advisor position to advising on legally viable business solutions for the company. In-house legal lawyers, especially those in a general counsel role, need to build their knowledge in other fields to acquire a business mindset and provide valuable advice that goes beyond legal considerations. For an in-house lawyer to be a key contributor to company strategy, they must stretch their knowledge and skills to a combination of finance, business, and management.

The pandemic also taught us another necessary lesson, in-house teams must be well-prepared for change and possess the adaptability needed. This can be something applicable to all areas of a company, where the legal should not be the exception. Lawyers must learn to think creatively and embrace change to build resilience and find original and quick solutions to new business challenges. Another skill is to develop judgment and understand that your contribution to the growth of a company must be aligned with the goals of the company. Finally, and it may seem obvious, a legal team should be well-versed in the latest technology as this will help make the job more efficient and cost-effective.