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 introduced changes to businesses, economic forecasts, and employment — subject to numerous regulations. In-house lawyers must be up to date with legislative developments and quickly adapt to new and ever-changing realities. Working from home has brought us closer to our colleagues and clients, making us more aware that every individual has a unique family life and challenges. Therefore, it is easier to be empathetic and establish connections. This has contributed to the lawyer-client relationship being based on trust — it is easier to trust a person with whom you can connect.
What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?
Nowadays, companies are optimising their costs and expenses to cope with losses derived from the pandemic. We have provided ongoing legal advice in several international transactions to obtain local tax refunds, aiding the clients in explaining and documenting complex operations and their corresponding agreements to the local tax authority. Additionally, we are working on a key project to implement a data inventory system that complies with the European GDPR standard and the recently issued Ecuadorian Organic Law for Data Protection. This project will be vital in providing an even more agile response to our clients.
In what ways do you see the in-house legal role evolving in your region over the next few years?
The in-house legal role will continue to develop and adopt a multi-jurisdictional perspective. The pandemic has demonstrated how interconnected world affairs and business are. Therefore, in-house counsel should not only think of advice or solutions that work in a particular area but consider the regional and global business structure. The turn to electronic legal processes and the rapid implementation of e-signatures in Latin America is a significant opportunity to accelerate processes and focus on more analysis and research-related functions. Digitalisation comes with challenges, such as implementing rigorous and specific data protection regulations.
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 as necessary as technical skills. The scope of in-house counsel is to solve problems for both internal and external clients. We must be good listeners and empathetic with our colleagues and clients to do so. Being a good listener allows you to take in all the details surrounding a particular challenge and provide a tailored solution. Empathy contributes to building a trusting relationship and developing a personal interest in crafting solutions. Emotional intelligence is vital —especially during stressful times, in which it is crucial to convey a more conscious and compassionate leadership approach.
