How do you feel the pandemic has changed the world of work for in-house counsel and the function of the general counsel?
The pandemic revolutionised the way we work. As an in-house lawyer, I faced challenges in two different areas: (i) managing our internal legal department; and (ii) liaising with external counsel at our partner law firms. Physical meetings and networking events were restricted due to the Covid-19 regulations. With the introduction of remote working, we had to juggle around multiple responsibilities, not only professional but also personal, including taking care of family. Overall, the pandemic allowed us to develop our skills to interact remotely with our business partners and team member. Remote and/or hybrid job opportunities will be in increasingly high demand in the future.
What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?
SBA’s primary business is operated in construction and acquisition of telecommunication infrastructures. M&A is also a significant part of our business operation. Over the last few years, we have closed several transactions that considerably increased our site portfolio. SBA currently has approximately 570 sites in Ecuador, and we are carrying out several projects in pipelines to expand our business.
In what ways do you see the in-house legal role evolving in your region over the next few years?
Companies in Ecuador are starting to realise the benefit of in-house counsel. In-house lawyers are key to move companies to move forward more safely while minising risks and reducing legal expenses. With the international development of in-house legal roles and their demand in the industry, I expect more companies Ecuador to hire in-house counsel.
How important have “soft skills” or personal attributes outside of technical legal skill been to the team’s success, and which “soft skills” do you feel are most important for an in-house lawyer to possess?
Soft skills are essential for an in-house lawyer to grow as a legal manager. While developing teamwork, time management, creative thinking, empathy, and responsibility, in-house lawyers are required to participate in decision-making process of the corporate organisation by diving into business operation or handling technical-related aspects of the company’s business.
