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?  

To ensure the organisation’s resilience during periods of instability or crises, the legal strategy shall be aligned to the broader business strategy to ensure that the legal team is part of the crisis management team.  Working side by side with the business and operations team to navigate the crisis allows me to understand firsthand the main issues that concern them, let them know the legal risks that we are facing, and work together on the required actions to mitigate those risks. Legal considerations during crisis management are key to ensure compliance but need to consider the effects on business, operations and strategy, so they actually help the organisation navigate the instability, instead of creating new points of concern. Becoming an ally instead of an obstacle is the approach that has better served me during times of distress.  

What are the main cases or transactions you have been involved in recently?  

Colombia is facing a major change in the way transfers and payments are being processed, as well as the actors that are involved in the payment ecosystem. New regulations that aimed to create an Immediate Payment System by the Central Bank, as well as the rules and standards for Open Finance and Open Data, have been discussed and enacted recently.  I have actively participated in such public policy discussions with the different stakeholders, and now I am working on its implementation.  

Additionally, I am working with the BID Group and the Central Bank on a new issuance of a bond using blockchain technology in the secondary market, as part of the regulatory sandbox of the Financial Superintendency and the Unit of Financial Regulation.  

What emerging technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future, and how do you stay updated on these developments?  

Artificial Intelligence is the emerging technology that will revolutionise the practice of law. By changing some basic processes and automating some routine tasks such as contract review, research, drafting emails or even legal documents, AI may transform our job as lawyers. The everyday tasks may shift to a more strategic and client centered approach, and result in more time to sit with our clients and understand their needs, or among colleagues to discuss our cases. Moreover, it will facilitate access to justice, improving its efficiency and quality.  

The use and development of AI should be encouraged in the legal profession, and we need to be prepared for the changes of role that this may bring. This has meant for me, learning how to use the technology, especially generative AI, and understanding the regulatory and compliance requirements that using this technology may bring, specifically in terms of the use of personal data and the ethics in its training.   

Building trust and strong relationships with our colleagues and clients is something that no technology may be able to replace, something I have been focused on, now that AI may help me with routine or repetitive tasks.