Legal director | Bavaria & CIA
Juan Guillermo López Palacio
Legal director | Bavaria & CIA
Team size: 12
Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?
We have also improved the way in which documents are produced, making them more friendly and understandable for non-lawyers. Likewise, we are currently working on internal development to administer our contracts and litigations. We intend to produce a tool that allows us to automate the contract preparation process with predetermined templates, reduce delivery times to users and monitor obligations and expiration dates. This will allow for better drafting and administration of the contract and free up time for the team’s attorneys to focus on more strategic analytical issues. We are also working on a development for the administration of litigation, which allows us to automate the process, have expiration alerts of the different phases of the litigation, and have a digital repository of information and supporting documentation. We are doing this internally, building the tool together with our legal and technology teams, so the costs are low compared to tools that are offered in the market.
What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?
Sustainability is not just a part of our business, but our entire focus. Our industry has had a positive impact on over ten million Colombians in the past four years through our social and environmental initiatives. We prioritise smart agriculture, responsible consumption, circular economy, water conservation, and entrepreneurship as key pillars to achieve our short and long-term goals. Starting next year, we aim to produce 100% of our products using solar energy, and by 2040, we aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions.
How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment?
Diversity is a vital asset that drives our innovation and value creation for the country. It empowers us to approach things differently and fosters connections with our people, acknowledging and appreciating their unique qualities. Inclusion serves as a unifying force in our journey to construct a fairer and more resilient society. Internally, we have implemented various tools to promote diversity and inclusion, including policies such as the ‘Diversity and Inclusion Policy’ and ‘Gender Transition Policy.’ Additionally, we offer programs which extend financial support to employees on maternity or paternity leave. To champion diversity and inclusion across all our operations, we have established a program which raises awareness about the significance of these principles. I am proud to be among the nearly 50 employees actively involved in this programme.
Legal director | Bavaria & CIA