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

I currently work in the regulatory department, therefore my job includes obtaining sanitary permits for food items and cosmetics, as well as many items, to be imported and marketed in one of the most relevant Ecuadorian supermarkets. I work with well-known brands on a daily basis.

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?

Extremely important, hence our trust depends on them. As in-house lawyers we deal with all kinds of problems, new projects, and situations daily that need to be swiftly dealt. Consequently, our external lawyers must always be available and demonstrate their commitment to our cause. It is important that they bring fair solutions and maintain control over tough legal situations.

Why are in-house lawyers well-placed to drive change in their organisations?

We are well placed to drive change as we are the ones responsible for assessing the legal impact and relevance of any issue. We need to be ready to present potential solutions and alternatives if a particular course of action proves not to be viable.

As we live in a fast-paced world today, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?

I believe that corporate legal teams need to possess flexibility, decision-making skills, organisational skills, and effective communication in order to be successful in the modern in-house industry.