How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?  

In times of instability or crisis—whether due to economic turbulence, regulatory changes, or other factors—my management strategy for overseeing the legal aspects of the company is focused on providing stability to senior management, ensuring a secure foundation for corporate decision-making, preventing negative reputational impacts, and supporting the growth and solidity of the business while achieving the company’s mid- and long-term objectives. To achieve this, it is crucial to act swiftly and effectively, coordinating closely with other key departments to create greater value for the organization.

During such challenging periods, organizations often set clear priorities. In this context, promptness and efficiency in preparing and managing contracts and other legal documents are vital for proactively assisting in negotiations and closing deals in a timely manner. Equally important is maintaining a sense of accessibility and support for all internal departments, ensuring that our legal strategy is adaptable enough to meet the company’s evolving needs without neglecting other areas that also require attention.

This speed and efficiency necessitate a highly coordinated effort across different departments, aligning corporate objectives and business needs with the regulatory framework. Moreover, instability or crisis can trigger events with the potential to damage the organization’s reputation, directly impacting commercial objectives and having long-term consequences. In-house counsel, therefore, play a crucial role not only in bridging internal areas with external lawyers to coordinate legal strategies but also in contributing to the design and execution of communication and public relations strategies that safeguard the company’s reputation.

To be effective in these roles, legal professionals must expand their knowledge beyond the law, gaining an understanding of other disciplines that enhance our legal strategy. This multidisciplinary approach allows legal advisors to offer innovative, scalable solutions and to contribute to the business strategy with a long-term vision and purpose.

As the legal strategy adapts to changing business environments, it strengthens by connecting the various departments within the company and aligning itself with the company’s overarching objectives. In doing so, it creates internal value, which is essential for the organisation’s resilience in difficult times.

In your opinion, what are the main trends that are salient in your country currently (these can be legal, political, economy or business-based)?  

After several years of political and economic instability, marked by a failed constitutional process and the devastating social and economic impacts of the pandemic, Chile is now in a period of searching for stability. This process is characterised by tensions between sectors advocating for economic revitalisation through more flexible regulations and reduced tax burdens to ensure financial returns on necessary investments, and those pushing for stronger regulatory frameworks and increased tax collection to provide targeted financial assistance to groups affected by recent events. These debates are unfolding within a highly polarised political environment, where the government lacks the majorities needed to advance its agenda, and the opposition remains fragmented.

Despite these challenges, there have been moments of convergence. For example, efforts to streamline procedures and shorten timelines for obtaining permits for economic activities have been positively received by various stakeholders. Additionally, the country’s economic indicators have generally surpassed expectations, fostering a sense of cautious optimism despite ongoing political divides. However, with new elections on the horizon, these instances of cooperation may dissipate, potentially dimming hopes for the long-awaited stabilisation.