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?  

Something that I have held in high esteem in my work is their openness to communication on a horizontal and vertical level. Being clear and transparent with internal realities and crises caused by external factors puts all areas of the company, including the legal department, in a more realistic context. This prepares us to provide real solutions and address issues in a more objective and assertive way and according to the company’s vision, mission and priorities. The head of the legal department must be able to convey that the businesses of the company have the support and prompt response of said department for the challenges that involve anticipating, preparing, responding and adapting to incremental change and sudden interruptions of the company in the different countries where it operates. 

With this constant support and communication, the business areas are open to receiving in-house advice to achieve their objectives and goals to face cases and crises as they arise. The legal department is an advisory area to help business units make the best decisions with short and long-term impact. For this reason, it is important that the person responsible for the legal department goes beyond the technicalities of the profession and becomes more fully involved in the company’s business. Take advantage of the knowledge that collaborators from the company’s business areas can provide and stay up to date on sector trends, economic, political and social trends and indicators of the countries where your company operates. That is why nowadays it is important to master certain knowledge in other areas, such as business, finance, marketing, among others. 

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

We have continued the corporate restructuring process, carrying out actions to reorganise and renew companies and business units by eliminating or developing new procedures that contribute to improving their efficiency, profitability and competitiveness. I am also in collaboration with support to other areas for the new projects, consolidation and expansion of their businesses. 

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?   

Our company has developed sustainability programs that focus on the construction of a sustainable management system with the goal of making each of its properties more efficient and competitive. This is an integrative task that involves management, operations and legal, as it is important that, while we achieve our group goals, we comply with all applicable local and international guidelines and conventions in the subject.  

In 2023 we were certified as Autism Ready, being the first hotel group to implement Autism Passport, in partnership with Autism Double-Checked. This passport is part of the company’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 to reduce inequality within and among countries.    

Over the years, we have demonstrated our commitment to promote responsible tourism in every destination where our hotels are located. Including strategies for energy efficiency, water saving, waste management, biodiversity conservation, carbon footprint, seaweed, renewable energy, circular economy, human rights, ethics, the wellbeing of the communities where we have hotels and inclusive environments. With Passion for Sustainability Program, we implement Environmental, Social and Governance from the corporate offices down to each department of every hotel in the group and how its products and services contribute to sustainable development to minimise negative impacts and maximise positive impacts in the environment and the local communities.  

Aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda, we have been recognizsd as a Socially Responsible Company for several consecutive years, have achieved EarthCheck Gold Certification, the leading environmental certification in the tourism industry and joined the UN Global Compact, a voluntarily initiative to implement universal sustainability principles, among other programs and certifications.  

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?  

Certainly, the technological revolution is redefining the legal landscape and living outside of that reality is inevitable. The legal profession thrives when introducing advanced tools that transform both the internal management of law firms and the interaction with clients and is similar to the in-house legal counsel.  New legal technology, ranging from artificial intelligence (“AI”) and blockchain to comprehensive management platforms are allowing legal professionals to automate tedious processes, improve accuracy in case analysis and optimize decision making. This advancement not only drives greater operational efficiency but also promotes a more accessible and transparent legal practice. Technological adaptation and advancement, therefore, have become imperative for legal professionals seeking to maintain their competitiveness and effectiveness in an increasingly digitalised environment. The ability to integrate and capitalise on these technological innovations is critical to the future success of any legal practice. 

Such innovations include document management and automation tools are revolutionising the way law firms organise and access critical information and the way they respond to the heads in charge of the legal departments in enterprises. These solutions not only simplify document management but also automate essential legal processes.  

On the other hand, AI is redefining legal analysis and decision making. AI-based tools can quickly analyse large volumes of legal data, identify patterns and trends, and predict potential case outcomes with surprising accuracy. This not only streamlines legal research but also provides lawyers with valuable insights for more informed decision making. Additionally, AI is making it easier to automate the review of contracts and other legal documents, allowing professionals to quickly spot problematic clauses or negotiation points. These applications of AI are fundamentally transforming the way legal cases are approached, enabling a more strategic and data-driven approach.