Vice president, general counsel - Latam | Phoenix Tower International
Michelle Brea
Vice president, general counsel - Latam | Phoenix Tower International
Team size: 30+
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?
I adopt a proactive approach to managing legal aspects. Teamwork is key during these times, we do frequent check-ins to identify immediate legal risks, or any issue that may affect the business as whole or in the relevant jurisdiction.
With respect to my team, I try to lead by example, and be a support to my team, I emphasise the importance of teamwork and recognise individual contributions. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions help to address concerns, Given I supervise 16 LATAM jurisdictions, I try my best to keep up with current events and issues that any country under my watch is going through, empathy goes a long way, I care for my team and try to understand the issues they may be going through, especially during times of crises. I am very lucky to work in a company where the values are prioritised, the support Phoenix Tower International provides to its employees in difficult times is amazing.
What are the main cases or transactions you have been involved in recently?
I have been involved in several regulatory compliance initiatives and litigation matters. For instance, we successfully navigated a complex regulatory challenge in Colombia, where new telecom regulations required significant adjustments to our operational practices.
As head of Legal in LATAM, I was responsible for all legal matters, both operational and transactional, in our strategic expansion in Latin America, particularly in Chile, Brazil, Colombia and the Caribbean. We closed several deals involving the acquisition and development of new tower sites, bolstering our presence in these regions.
How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment?
I believe that a diverse team enhances our problem-solving capabilities and drives better legal outcomes. Our commitment to D&I is reflected in our policies, practices, and organisational culture. We strive to create a culture where everyone feels valued and included, we respect the different cultures and embrace the differences. This involves promoting open communication, encouraging diverse perspectives, and recognising the contributions of all team members.
Phoenix Tower International in all countries we have business on and through its Wings Program, actively reaches out to the communities lending a hand and helping those in need in three main areas: childhood education, health and wellness and technology and access to technology.
General counsel | Phoenix Tower International