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

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic in which we have been immersed since March 2020, all industries had to adapt and learn to work and operate remotely. For this reason, during the last year we completed a process of digitisation and automation of internal procedures (workflow and contract signing, payroll payment, and bill payment, among others) and in the operation of the gymnasiums (registration in the gym through the website and totem poles in the gym units). All of the above reduces time to review contracts and registration processes for our clients. Technology and this modernisation of processes help us to standardise, react and address recurring situations and problems, which allows the legal team to focus on relevant issues and improvement strategies.

How do you suggest in-house lawyers build strong relationships with business partners?

Personally, I believe that the fundamental thing is to always focus on  the progress of the company and the well-being of all collaborators as an objective. If we have a common goal among all the departments of the same company, we will be able to have a good relationship and understand the reasons and priorities of each one. Related to this, understanding how they work and contributing with their knowledge to that common goal, and acquiring specific knowledge of the operation, finances, and human resources, increases our contribution as a support area to center on what is really important for the company and for each business partner, adapting to their needs and requirements. On the other hand, simplifying the language and legal terms, with practical examples and in a more dynamic way, helps the internal client to effectively internalise what our Legal Department really wants to inform and implement.

The unusual business environment created by the pandemic has been swiftly followed by other shocks. Are you now putting more emphasis on preparing for the unforeseen and, if so, what does this entail?

Indeed, due to the consequences of the pandemic, we act proactively and not reactively, being “productive paranoids”; that is, thinking that things could always be better, analysing how the processes should be carried out in the future for a company of the future, and – on the other hand – defining what could be the worst scenario for each situation that arises, and choose the protection and regulation tools for that fateful case, and thus be able to be covered against future risks.