What are the projects that you are most proud of working on over the past 12 months?

Since my position in this company is related to the quality and permits of products and establishments, I identified the need to add a new responsibility to this role: defending the company against administrative claims issued by sanitary authorities. This allowed me to be responsible for creating the strategy to defend the company and its products, attend hearings, speak directly to the authorities involved in the claim, and communicate the steps to be taken within the company to avoid further mistakes or misinformation, consequently defending the company’s reputation.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

I adhere to the law as long as it remains valid, ensuring that the daily operations of the business are minimally affected by any changes. In parallel, my role is to gather information on any changes that may impact operations, so that I can align our strategies and ensure we are prepared to adapt effectively, communicating to the departments involved what aspects of their operation may be impacted on and the steps to be taken and included in their procedures.

What do you think sets you apart from other in-house counsel?

I take pride in my ability to identify the internal needs of the department and develop strategies to address them. As an organised and efficient professional, I leverage existing tools within the company to implement these strategies while carefully managing resources to avoid exceeding the department’s budget. Additionally, I adapt to the leadership style of the company’s management and align the department’s internal policies and procedures to ensure they reflect the company’s values.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

A lawyer must be adaptable, a good reader, innovative in problem-solving, and open-minded to technology, and be able to communicate complex legal concepts to those with no legal background.

Based on your experiences in the past year, are there any trends in the legal or business world that you are keeping an eye on that you think other in-house lawyers should be mindful of?

The use of artificial intelligence has significantly increased my productivity and efficiency. It supports me by automating drafting tasks and providing technical information in areas outside my expertise, offering multiple perspectives and options that one individual may not have considered in a certain situation.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

I’m passionate about empowering women within the company, supporting their ability to make well-informed decisions and take action, backed by their teams and leaders. Additionally, I am convinced of the importance of supporting intrapreneurs — outstanding individuals who may not hold management positions but demonstrate leadership potential within the company. I see them as potential ambassadors of the company in the external world.