Team size: eleven

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

Clear and concise communication is essential. During a crisis, effective communication can make all the difference. In high-pressure situations, people’s thoughts are scattered, and legal matters are often complex. Using simple and clear language enables businesses to make well-informed decisions quickly, manage risks effectively, and ensure no blind spots hinder the decision-making process.

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?

In Ecuador, I believe most in-house counsels dedicate significant time to data protection. With a newly established regulatory agency and recent legislation, ensuring compliance has become a priority. All in-house lawyers should allocate a substantial portion of their time to this area, as the workload is considerable—requiring a thorough review of all processes to ensure adherence to the law. Additionally, it is crucial to train business units on the fundamental dos and don’ts of data protection. Non-compliance poses serious legal and reputational risks for companies.

What do you think is the greatest innovation you have enacted in the past year?

A cause I am truly passionate about is the development of young lawyers pursuing a career as in-house counsel. Having worked as an in-house lawyer for almost 20 years across multiple countries (U.S., Colombia, Canada, Peru, Ecuador, and Venezuela), I have encountered a vast range of legal matters, from crises and litigation to compliance investigations.

Through these experiences, I have recognised a significant gap in understanding the technical expertise and soft skills required for in-house legal roles. Many lawyers transitioning from law firms into corporate legal departments struggle with the shift, sometimes to the point of leaving the role altogether.

I take great pride in mentoring and guiding young legal professionals, helping them navigate the challenges of an in-house career. Seeing the lawyers I have trained grow into successful professionals—some even advancing to international careers—has been incredibly rewarding. I thoroughly enjoy identifying talent, bringing them on board, and supporting their development in this field.