Team size: 12 Lawyers 

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?  

Putting together high-performance teams comprised by members with a high degree of specialisation in different areas of the law. Developing soft skills such as effective communication, strategic leadership, superior results, team work and effective relationships. Monitoring bills discussed at the Congress of Colombia and decrees issued by the Executive Branch (published for comments), in order to put forward agrobusiness sector-related policies. Promoting the enforcement of internal compliance policies. Designing internal processes based on technological tools that guarantee the compliance and enforcement of the law. 

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

The Sale of 100% of the Colombian and Guatemalan investment in sugar company in Brazil, local newspaper purchase due diligence, the sale of real property in the countryside and the purchase of land outside Colombia. 

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?  

Manuelita Group is committed to sustainability and innovative technology with high environmental impact. The board of directors are constantly measuring environmental KPIs as part of the company’s results. Recently, the Company issued carbon credits in Sugar and Palm Oil Platform, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It has sustainability certifications as Bonsucro and RSPO. Finally It has declare that will be neutral carbon  by 2040, and it will reduce the greenhouse gas emissions in 70% at 2030. The general counsel contributes in ensuring the legal protection of rural private property to guarantee the production of principals raw materials required in its industrial processes. The counsel also ensures the compliance of environmental, labor and commercial legislation to guarantee the sustainability certifications.