Dominican Republic 2024
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Legal manager Dominican Republic | Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana
Legal and compliance manager | E.T. Heinsen
Head of legal document preparation department | Ministerio de Hacienda de la República Dominicana
Vice president of legal services and corporate governance | Banco Múltiple BHD
In-house legal manager | Agentes y Estibadores Portuarios (Ageport)
Legal and compliance director | Primma Valores, Puesto de Bolsa
Vice president, legal and governmental affairs | AES Dominicana
Legal and compliance director | Nestlé Dominicana
General counsel and corporate governance director | Banesco Banco Múltiple
Assistant general counsel, legal operations – Latam and Caribbean | Phoenix Tower International
Senior associate | GASA Consultores
Corporate legal manager | Banco de Desarrollo y Exportaciones (BANDEX)
Head of the verification of standards and legal compliance department | Ministerio de Hacienda de la República Dominicana
Corporate legal manager | Pasteurizadora Rica (Grupo Rica)
Manager external affairs Caribbean | Philip Morris Dominicana
Senior manager of regulation | Asociación de Bancos Múltiples de la República Dominicana (ABA)
Legal director | InterEnergy Group (Dominican Republic)
Legal affairs and compliance manager | Industrias Banilejas
Vice president, general counsel - Latam | Phoenix Tower International
Legal manager | Banco Múltiple Promerica de la República Dominicana
Vice president of financial intermediation unit, consulting | Banco Múltiple BHD
Legal director | Tesorería de la Seguridad Social (TSS)
Legal and compliance manager | UC – United Capital Puesto de Bolsa
Head of legal | Empresa de Generación Eléctrica Punta Catalina (EGEPC)
Legal counsel | Globalia Servicios Corporativos RD
In-House lawyer | Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club
Legal and regulatory director | Altice Dominicana
Legal counsel | Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (AERODOM)
General counsel | Banco de Desarrollo y Exportaciones (BANDEX)
Ena has more than 20 years of professional practice in different areas of law, with extensive experience in public and private management, handling highly complex cases throughout her professional career,...
Vice chancellor of foreign affairs and legal counselor | Universidad Tecnológica de Santiago (UTESA)
Legal director | Asociación de Bancos Múltiples de la República Dominicana (ABA)
Legal advisor | Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM)
Legal director | Corporación Hotelera del Mar
Liliana Torres has 19 years of experience mainly in the in the eastern region of the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana, Bávaro, Cap Cana)., and her main practice areas are civil,...
Vice president of legal affairs and regulatory compliance | Banco Popular Dominicano, Banco Múltiple
Graduated in Law cum laude from the Pontifical Mother and Teacher Catholic University, has completed master’s studies in Economic Analysis of Law with specialisation in financial operations at the Torcuato...
It has been a true privilege to lead the research for The Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Dominican Republic, 2024, once again highlighting the outstanding legal talent and innovation within this dynamic region. The energy and enthusiasm of the in-house counsel we had the pleasure of speaking to was truly inspiring, but what stood out even more was the remarkable evolution in the scope and complexity of the work they are driving across various industries. This edition offers a closer look at the key projects they’ve been involved in, how they navigate the ever-shifting legal landscape, and the issues that matter most to them personally and professionally.
This year, a significant theme that emerged from our conversations was the role of sustainability and ESG initiatives, particularly in how legal teams are embedding these values into their companies’ strategies. Many of the in-house counsel shared how their legal departments are becoming critical partners in driving sustainable growth and adhering to global standards on environmental, social, and governance matters. For example, Lauren Vargas, Corporate Legal Manager at Pasteurizadora Rica emphasised that ‘our role as legal counsel is to ensure that every step in our sustainability roadmap aligns with both local and international regulatory frameworks’.
Another striking trend we observed was the continued acceleration of digital innovation across industries. Legal teams are not just supporting this transformation—they are often at the forefront, crafting the frameworks that allow these advances to take place securely and within the bounds of the law. Yudith Castillo shared how ‘digital transformation is a significant and fascinating challenge in many countries, as it will inevitably bring about new laws or modifications to existing ones, which cannot be delayed. I am a firm believer in staying updated with such developments, striving to be open-minded and objective in recognising and understanding what we once considered unthinkable.’
Despite the challenges posed by global uncertainties and shifting regulatory environments, the resilience and adaptability of the in-house counsel in this edition shone through. Staying informed and agile was a common theme, with legal professionals detailing how they consistently engage with updates to laws and best practices. This includes everything from attending international conferences to seeking specialised advice from external experts.
In addition to their legal achievements, the counsel we spoke with also shared their dedication to causes that resonate with them personally. This year’s responses ranged from diversity and inclusion to mental health advocacy in the workplace, reflecting the broader role that in-house lawyers are playing in shaping company culture and driving positive change within their organisations.
We would like to extend our sincere congratulations to all the in-house counsel featured in this 2024 edition of the GC Powerlist: Dominican Republic. Their innovation, dedication, and leadership continue to set new benchmarks in the legal profession, and it has been an honor to engage with such a talented group of professionals. We look forward to seeing their ongoing contributions and impact in the years to come.
Margherita Birri, Lead researcher: GC Powerlist Dominican Republic 2024
The Legal 500 Mexico Forum gathered leading legal professionals, business executives, and policymakers for a day of timely discussion and forward-looking debate on the evolving regulatory landscape in Mexico and the broader region. Against the backdrop of sweeping legal reforms, international pressures, and growing investor scrutiny, the forum served as a critical space to examine the opportunities and challenges reshaping business and law in the country.
The day began with thoughtful opening remarks, setting the tone for a programme that was as rich in insight as it was in strategic relevance.
The opening panel, held with the support of Greenberg Traurig, explored the future of competition regulation in Mexico in light of the recent dismantling of autonomous regulatory bodies such as COFECE. Panelists examined the shifting legal architecture and assessed how these changes could impact both domestic market dynamics and Mexico’s standing in the international economic order.
This was followed by a high-stakes session hosted in collaboration with Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, focusing on judicial reform and dispute resolution. Legal leaders and general counsel shared practical perspectives on the implications of the reform for corporate strategy and legal certainty. The growing prominence of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration was highlighted as a critical priority for in-house teams seeking to mitigate risk in an increasingly complex environment.
The energy sector came into sharp focus during the panel supported by Sainz Abogados, which examined the impact of the 2025 energy reforms. With state entities taking on expanded roles, the legal and commercial frameworks underpinning investment in power generation and hydrocarbons have entered a phase of heightened uncertainty. Discussions centred on how policy shifts, capital access, and sustainability commitments are shaping investor sentiment in Mexico’s energy future.
Later, attention returned to ADR in the context of tax and administrative disputes, during a session delivered in collaboration with Cuatrecasas. With judicial reform accelerating, the panel explored how administrative ADR mechanisms—such as arbitration and conciliation—are offering efficient, lower-risk alternatives to traditional litigation. These tools, the panel noted, are particularly appealing to clients seeking both speed and predictability in outcomes.
In partnership with LHO, the next panel tackled the intersection of criminal compliance, sustainability, and social justice in an increasingly globalised regulatory environment. Experts discussed how Mexican businesses are aligning internal governance with extraterritorial legal frameworks and growing stakeholder demands. The conversation underscored the need for resilience, ethical foresight, and transparency as businesses navigate a compliance landscape influenced by both domestic law and international norms.
Labour reform took centre stage in a session delivered with the involvement of Ferran Martínez Abogados. As Mexico considers reducing the standard workweek from 48 to 40 hours, the panel assessed the legislative, social, and economic implications of this significant shift. Drawing on international examples and domestic realities, speakers offered a balanced view of the reform’s feasibility and the adjustments required by employers and legislators alike.
Closing the main programme were two fireside chats with a regional lens. The first, supported by Canales®, highlighted Monterrey’s emergence as a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment. With its dynamic business climate and growing international influence, Monterrey is increasingly seen as a model for regional development. The second session, held in association with Pellerano & Herrera, turned attention to the Dominican Republic. Panelists examined its legal and economic transformation, underscoring the country’s growing appeal to foreign investors across sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and finance.
