Team size: 15

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

We have focused on ensuring that the portfolios acquired by the company comply with environmental and municipal regulations, as well as with property titles. The company’s corporate purpose is to provide an infrastructure to serve the greatest number of authorised operators in Ecuador, and therefore it is essential that we stand out in the service we provide. The legal team directly advises and supports the sales team so that our infrastructure, whether acquired or under development, meets the business objectives to obtain as many co-locations as possible. We have worked jointly with the companies in the sector to ensure that the management of permits, fees and requirements are efficient and accurate. Internally, the legal team focused on a global project that allows us to standardise the virtual files of the countries that are part of the company, in order to access them quickly and efficiently. As in-house counsel, we keep the company abreast of all applicable legal provisions in the jurisdiction and in full compliance with them. In addition, in-house counsel’s local experience allows us to guide the company in adapting corporate guidelines to local customs.

How important is choosing to work with external lawyers who align with your company’s values? Are you likely to reconsider what firms you work with based on this?

PTIE is committed to choosing external lawyers who will perform assigned tasks in accordance with the principles, values and fundamentals of the company. Our selection process is thorough and the development of the relationship with them is very productive and effective. Our external lawyers are currently aligned, and we are always looking to increase the number of outside counsels who can assist us in meeting our business objectives.

Looking forward, what technological advancements do you feel will impact the role of in-house legal teams in the future the most? Which have you found most useful in your legal team?

During the pandemic, the use of electronic signatures was significantly consolidated. Thus, in 2020, Executive Decree 981 was issued, which requires public sector employees to have an electronic signature certificate for natural persons, which allows the use of electronic signatures. This progress has allowed us to continue international and global negotiations and accelerate the execution of agreements and contracts that, until a few years ago, was unthinkable, in addition to the savings that involves printing and physical file costs.

What diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have you and your legal department been championing within your company’s endeavours?

It is a real pleasure for me to work in a company that promotes all kinds of equality, where there are no distinctions of any kind and where we all have the same opportunities based on knowledge, commitment and experience. I advocate and promote sisterhood because I work with a valuable group of women, within which we highlight and benefit from our skills and support points of improvement. Personally, I strongly believe in diversity and equality, and I promote it in my work team. In a multinational company, there is a great opportunity to work with people of different nationalities which enriches your culture, your work environment and enhances your knowledge in many areas. All PTIE policies and tools are aligned to inclusion and diversity, which is widely disseminated and promoted among the work team.