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 has transformed industries and professions. It was particularly disruptive for the legal function and has pushed us to rapidly adapt to technological tools available (digital files, video conferences and messaging services) to keep practising our profession. Pre-pandemic in Ecuador, digital devices were not used in day-to-day business. We used to rely heavily on physical documents. The pandemic has forced us to modernise and accelerate the digitisation of procedures. The legal function must continue transforming and implementing technology to better serve internal and external clients.
What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?
At the end of 2021, Arca Continental acquired Carli Snacks — an Ecuadorian snacks company with a record of more than 20 years that produces approximately 200,000 tons of snacks annually. The transaction was closed during the most critical part of the pandemic and involved teams in different jurisdictions, requiring digital tools to be executed. It has proved that we are able to adapt, and that technology is a crucial asset in carrying out simple and complex transactions.
In what ways do you see the in-house legal role evolving in your region over the next few years?
Business is evolving into new service models and marketing channels, moving faster than legislation. Lawyers must have a leading role in designing business strategies; they must evolve together with the commercial strategy of the companies. Lawyers must provide due diligence and enable strategic design.
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 fundamental to understanding how the team operates and maximising its performance. Given the technical education they receive, lawyers sometimes forget the emotional factors that affect their services and their effectiveness in dealing with both internal and external clients. The pandemic has exposed us to stress and working under pressures at levels that we had never seen before — resilience, empathy, and active listening are essential skills to deliver proper communication and ensure the effectiveness of the team’s performance.
