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? 

We implement a proactive management strategy to identify potential issues and address them in advance. This helps mitigate risks and ensures that, even during times of instability, legal management of processes remains unaffected. Additionally, we use advanced technologies based on artificial intelligence and digital platforms to enhance control and monitoring of operations, prevent delays, and enable a more accurate assessment of the situation.

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

In my country, the Dominican Republic, I have been involved in several significant judicial and commercial processes. For example: (i) restructuring of the Association of Promoters and Builders of Cibao (APROCOVICI in Spanish) and its management bodies to achieve more optimal and functional development, as well as the integration of internal processes to improve the vetting of its members; (ii) structuring agreements between Grupo Tadug and Operadora La Habanera for the construction and expansion of free trade zone parks in the Cibao Region of the Dominican Republic; (iii) restructuring of the joint venture between La Fabril and Imeko Holding Nv to broaden the range of products in the local market; (iv) and management of distinctive signs for the expansion of local brands such as Productos Linda and Industrias Tucan.

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 will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the legal profession. Currently, these technologies are specialising in providing accurate legal information and improving interaction and the search for relevant data both within and outside the judicial system. Additionally, artificial intelligence is also making inroads into legal marketing, a field that has seen notable growth in recent years. This helps legal professionals obtain information on brand positioning and content structuring for social media and other forms of communication.

In your opinion, what are the main trends that are salient in your country currently (these can be legal, political, economy or business-based)? 

In the Dominican Republic, significant reforms are currently underway that impact the legal system. Notably, there is a constitutional reform aimed at limiting the tenure of the Attorney General and removing them from the Judicial Council, as well as restructuring the Congress. In our view, while this reform is necessary in several respects—such as limiting the Attorney General’s term, enhancing autonomy, and relieving them of the role of appointing judges—it is crucial for ensuring a healthier democracy and more effective management in combating crime and especially corruption. However, some aspects of the reform seem less impactful and not as significant in other areas, though there is an intention to address past shortcomings.

Similarly, the Congress is discussing a comprehensive reform of the penal code, which dates back to 1884. This reform is important for the justice system due to the inclusion of new criminal offenses and the introduction of relevant concepts not previously covered, even in the 21st century, such as intellectual authorship, and the redefinition of other concepts like self-defense. In my opinion, this is the most significant reform the country has seen since the constitutional amendment in 2010, as it aims to rectify issues that have negatively affected the fight against crime in the Dominican Republic.