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
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,...
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
Vice chancellor of foreign affairs and legal counselor | Universidad Tecnológica de Santiago (UTESA)
General counsel and corporate governance director | Banesco Banco Múltiple
Assistant general counsel, legal operations – Latam and Caribbean | Phoenix Tower International
Senior associate | GASA Consultores
Legal director | Asociación de Bancos Múltiples de la República Dominicana (ABA)
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
Legal advisor | Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM)
Senior manager of regulation | Asociación de Bancos Múltiples de la República Dominicana (ABA)
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...
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)
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
On Tuesday, September 24th, 2024, The Legal 500 hosted the Diversity and Inclusion Forum Switzerland 2024 in Zürich, in partnership with Schellenberg Wittmer.
The agenda included two engaging sessions focused on diversity and inclusion strategies and the transformative impact of age and background in shaping the legal teams of the future. The event fostered an informal atmosphere and encouraged active participation, allowing attendees to share their insights and questions, which enriched the discussions.
Sara Maggi, The Legal 500’s editorial lead for the Forum, kicked off the event with a welcome address, followed by Philippe Bärtsch, managing partner at Schellenberg Wittmer, who set the right tone for the day’s proceedings.
The first session, titled “unlocking talent and innovation through diversity and inclusion: strategies and best practices in legal departments”, was moderated by Anya George, partner at Schellenberg Wittmer. Speakers included: Markus Lang, general counsel, Europe West, at EY; Valérie Collaudin, general counsel and head of sustainability, at Gurit; Aziz Aidaros, vice president and associate general counsel, Europe, at Philip Morris International; and Nina Cronstedt, group chief legal and compliance officer, at Verisure. This session provided a platform for sharing innovative strategies and best practices that promote diversity and inclusion, drawing on real-world examples that have successfully positioned legal teams for future success.
The second session, “bridging generations and cultures: the power of age and background in legal teams of the future”, was moderated by George Ayoub, partner at Schellenberg Wittmer who was joined by Cornelis (Kees) Van Ophem, executive vice president and global general counsel, at Fresenius Medical Care; Sarah Chevalley, associate general counsel, at Lonza; Cyrill Bachmann, general counsel and secretary to the board of directors, at AMEOS Gruppe; and Marcella De Luca, senior counsel, at Deutsche Bank. The panel discussed how diverse perspectives—including gender, upbringing, culture, and age—enhance collaboration within legal departments, highlighting the value of these differences in creating effective teams.
Following the insightful sessions, attendees enjoyed a reception of drinks and canapés, providing an excellent opportunity for networking and further discussion. The Legal 500 was delighted to collaborate with Schellenberg Wittmer once again to bring this successful event to life and looks forward to returning to Switzerland soon.
