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? 

During periods of instability or crises, such as economic downturns or regulatory changes, I approach managing legal aspects by closely aligning legal strategies with the broader business strategies to ensure the organisation’s resilience. This proactive approach helps anticipate potential legal challenges and mitigate risks before they materialize. 

At Grupo Globalia as the director of the legal department for the Dominican Republic, I have advised the business directors of the five lines of business of the group operating in the country and about legal and compliance implications of their decisions. This includes providing legal support for over 30 companies, ensuring that all actions taken are legally sound and align with the long-term goals of the company.  

My role involves advising on regulatory matters to minimise legal risks and supporting the administrative and human resources areas in their decision-making processes. By integrating legal considerations into the strategic planning process, I ensure that the company can navigate crises effectively while maintaining compliance and protecting its legal interests and the business.  

Another key aspect of managing legal aspects during crises is maintaining open communication and collaboration with other departments. Also, it is essential to have a flexible and adaptive legal strategy. This involves continuously monitoring the legal landscape and adjusting strategies accordingly.  

Lastly, it is essential to have a crisis management plan that includes legal contingencies. This plan should outline the steps to be taken in various crisis scenarios, ensuring that the organization can respond swiftly and effectively.  

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

Currently, our department is attending to a new business branch within the group’s operations in the Dominican Republic, which involves real estate development. We are in the process of delivering about 2000 units to clients, which has required the support of our legal department for structuring the entire commercial phase, closing sales, negotiating with banks, and finally, the closing processes with each client.  

It has been very gratifying to participate in these real estate operations, as this is our first experience in promoting projects in a particularly challenging environment due to the reputational crisis that the real estate sector in the Dominican Republic has been suffering in recent months.  

Participating in these operations has been a true challenge, and we have focused on minimising risks for the developer and conveying trust and security to the buyers and their legal advisors. 

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?  

The use of new technologies in legal practice can help legal professionals to improve service delivery and stay ahead in an ever-evolving legal landscape.  

Currently, the legal profession is undergoing a transformative shift driven by emerging technologies that promise to enhance efficiency and accuracy. 

Several technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) stand out as having the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future. I believe that AI is going to revolutionise the legal field by automating routine tasks, enhancing predictive analytics, and improving decision-making processes. AI can help reduce the risk of human error in simple tasks and allow legal professionals to focus on more strategic necessities.  

Another technology that stands out is data analytics. Data analytics enables legal professionals to gain insights from vast amounts of data, improving decision-making and strategic planning.  

By analysing data from past cases, legal trends, and client behavior, lawyers can identify patterns, assess risks, and develop more effective legal strategies. Data analytics is definitely going to play a crucial role in litigation support, helping lawyers predict case outcomes, evaluate the strength of evidence and optimise resource allocation. 

Another advancement that is significantly impacting the legal profession is the use of blockchain to create tamper-proof records of legal agreements and transactions, ensuring integrity and trustworthiness.