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

We have been involved in many cases and transactions and are deeply concerned with sustainability initiatives implemented by the company. The diverse and multi-specialised team generally advises the company’s operation in Colombia and Perú on several areas such as corporate, contracts, litigation, mining and environment, energy, competition, social impact, and human rights.

What do you predict will be the biggest change in the legal market over the next few years?

I predict that innovation and the use of technologies — legal design, artificial intelligence, legal tech, extensive data, and blockchain — will be the most significant change in everyday legal tasks.

As digital tools become more approachable, the legal market must evolve to incorporate these new ways of working instead of rejecting them. We shall not be afraid of being replaced but learn to understand these new tools and potentiate them to make our work more efficient.

As we enter the next decade, what skills will an in-house lawyer need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?

First, the in-house lawyer must understand the business’ core and how the company works; thus, it is essential to have some fundamental knowledge about accounting, finance, planning, logistics, and supplies, among others. As opposed to a private practice lawyer, an in-house one is part of a support network that is part of a much bigger organisation. They must be aligned with the company’s purposes and goals.

The in-house lawyer must be creative and capable of finding quick and efficient solutions for everyday problems. They must also be flexible and willing to adapt to new scenarios, including a solid academic background to advise in multiple areas.

Since the in-house counsel must communicate mainly with non-lawyers within the company, they must have excellent communication skills and the power to explain legal issues in a way everyone can understand.

Lastly, internal lawyers must have robust knowledge regarding technology use and the capability of incorporating new ways of working into their work. Additionally, knowing English and other languages is helpful. These skills will help one be better prepared for the technological evolution and the legal challenges of the digital revolution.