Chile 2024
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Executive legal, compliance and audit manager | Pacific Hydro Chile
Vice president, associate general counsel, head of Latin America | Everest Insurance Chile
Legal, sustainability and corporate affairs director | Softys
Director of legal services | Compañía General de Electricidad
General counsel Chile and Latam | Sodexo
Legal vice president, general counsel | CODELCO (Corporación del Cobre de Chile)
Vice president, legal and corporate affairs | Claro Chile
Chief legal officer and chief compliance officer | Grupo Sencorp
Regional legal director for the Andean Cluster (Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador) | Pfizer
General counsel, sustainability and corporate affairs | Sierra Gorda SCM
Lead legal counsel, Andean and South Cone Region | FedEx
Director legal and compliance officer | Sociedad Austral de Electricidad - SAESA
Senior manager, international legal affairs | SBA
General counsel, Chile and lead counsel for Latin America | EY
The Legal 500 is delighted to present the GC Powerlist Chile: 2024. In this edition, we explore the evolving role of in-house counsel in Chile, where legal professionals are navigating a landscape shaped by regulatory changes, economic fluctuations, and rapid technological advancements. These factors are redefining the role of general counsel, placing them at the forefront of strategic decision-making and crisis management within their organisations.
In this dynamic environment, Chile’s legal leaders are pioneering innovative approaches to crisis management, championing diversity and inclusion, driving sustainability initiatives, and integrating advanced legal technologies. The professionals featured in this edition have shared invaluable insights into how they are adapting and excelling in these roles. As they lead the charge in implementing new technologies, these general counsel are unlocking efficiencies and enhancing team performance, all while delivering significant value to their businesses.
Beyond technology, these in-house counsel are prioritising critical issues such as diversity and inclusion within their teams. Legal leaders in Chile recognise the importance of fostering diverse perspectives to drive innovation and create a more equitable workplace. As one of our standout contributors, Rodrigo Gutiérrez Marticorena, lead counsel – Andean and South Cone region at FedEx, explains: ‘A culture centred on inclusion, where team members feel respected and valued, cannot be confined to a simple statement of principles. It must be backed by concrete actions that educate and raise awareness, promoting understanding and commitment. Through the development of policies, programmes, and the monitoring of their implementation, lawyers have a unique role to play.’
Sustainability has also emerged as a core focus for many Chilean legal teams, as they strive to align their companies’ practices with global standards and societal expectations. The legal professionals featured in this publication are taking proactive steps to embed sustainability within their operations, ensuring that legal strategies align with long-term environmental and social goals. As Rosario Fernández Parga, legal coordinator at Nuveen Natural Capital, shared: ‘Our company is deeply invested in sustainability—it is central to our mission and our responsibility to both the planet and our investors. We maintain strict zero-deforestation policies, conduct environmental due diligence, pursue renewable energy opportunities, and invest in projects that protect pollinators like bees. We engage with local communities and consider our impact when making decisions, while also allocating funds for specific aid projects that deliver tangible benefits. As legal coordinator, I have worked to ensure our compliance with evolving regulations by incorporating environmental considerations into our legal processes, including conducting environmental reviews of previously acquired properties. I’m also involved in selecting and developing projects that improve the quality of life for communities surrounding our investments.’
The GC Powerlist Chile: 2024 celebrates the most influential and visionary in-house lawyers in the country. Their ability to lead through uncertainty, drive positive change, and provide strategic value underscores the critical role they play within their organisations. We are honoured to share their stories, insights, and achievements, which stand as a testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence.
Congratulations to all the outstanding in-house lawyers featured in this edition of the Legal 500 GC Powerlist Chile.
Francisco Castro| Editorial Lead – GC Powerlist Chile 2024
Sara Maggi | Editorial Lead – GC Powerlist Chile 2024
On Tuesday 16th September 2025, Legal 500 returned to Zürich to host the Diversity and Inclusion Forum: Switzerland, in partnership with Schellenberg Wittmer. The event consisted of insightful discussion, focusing on what diversity and inclusion mean in today’s world and how in-house counsel can put these principles into practice. The forum took place at the historic Zunfthaus zur Meisen – notably, the first guild to admit women as members, as was highlighted during the evening.
The evening began with a welcome address from Isabel Caine, Event Content Editor at Legal 500, who spoke to the continued importance of spotlighting diversity and inclusion in the current geopolitical environment – the need to continually apply and reapply, learn and relearn what we know about these topics as organisations adapt to today’s rapidly-changing climate.
Anya George, partner at Schellenberg Wittmer, then took to the stage, echoing these sentiments and highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion to the firm.
Next, Karin de Witt, Director of Ethics, Compliance and Investigations at Lonza, delivered the keynote speech. Her lively and thought-provoking address set the tone for the evening’s discussions.
The first session of the evening, ‘AI in hiring: reducing or reinforcing bias?’, was moderated by Caroline Clemetson, partner at Schellenberg Wittmer. The panel was made up of Nora Rümbeli, Group Head Legal & Compliance Tech, Data & AI and Group DPO at VONTOBEL; Renate Lichtenegger, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at Pocket App; Liliana Correia, Legal Counsel and HR Head at Swiss AI AG; and Thomas Schönholzer, General Counsel at The Swiss Post Ltd. The panelists engaged in an animated discussion regarding the pros and cons in-house counsel must consider if using AI to aid the recruitment process, from budget restraints and data protection issues to potential bias and the human element essential to hiring.
In light of recent social and political developments on a global scale, the second panel was entitled ‘Growing pressure on diversity and inclusion programs: balancing company values with compliance’. Moderator George Ayoub, partner at Schellenberg Wittmer, was joined on stage by Sandrine Wait, VP Head Legal Global M&A and Finance at Adecco Group AG; Ingrid Sollerer, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer and Executive Committee Member at Sandoz; and Rita Portmann Witmer, Head Legal WM Zurich at BNP Paribas (Zurich Branch). The panel considered how organisations’ diversity and inclusion initiatives may be affected by recent geopolitical changes. The panelists spoke passionately about how in-house counsel can best navigate these circumstances, ensuring that business continues but that employees’ voices are heard and company values are upheld.
The inclusive atmosphere encouraged audience engagement, with attendees posing insightful questions and interacting with the panelists, before Caroline Clemetson rounded off the evening with closing remarks.
Attendees and panelists then continued conversation and networking, while enjoying drinks and canapés. Legal 500 was honored to partner once again with Schellenberg Wittmer to provide a platform for these critical discussions.
