General counsel and president of the compliance unit | Grupo Santillana
Paulina Martínez Mármol
General counsel and president of the compliance unit | Grupo Santillana
Team size: Ten
What are the projects that you are most proud of working on over the past 12 months?
Given that the legal department is relatively new, one of the most significant projects has been the comprehensive restructuring of the company’s contractual framework. This ensures agreements align with current market dynamics while upholding the Group’s ethical standards.
Beyond enhancing legal security, this has optimized operational efficiency and positioned the legal team as a strategic business partner, integrating us into decision-making processes and adding value at every stage of the business.
This reaffirmed my belief that in-house counsel should not only mitigate risk but also drive innovation and transformation to enhance long-term competitiveness.
How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience?
Balancing business needs with the role of legal and reputational risk control is a challenge. Striking the right balance between these functions is essential to ensuring the company’s long-term sustainability.
Anticipation is key—we have implemented risk matrices and control mechanisms to proactively identify and mitigate potential risks, ensuring business continuity and minimizing negative impacts.
Strong collaboration with senior management and operational teams ensures legal strategies are well understood and implemented.
Crises often bring accelerated regulatory changes, making adaptability crucial. The ability to quickly adjust internal processes to comply with new regulations without disrupting business efficiency is a critical success factor. In these situations, In-house counsel must act as change enablers, turning challenges into opportunities.
What strategies do you employ to ensure the successful digital transformation of a legal department while maintaining compliance with your country’s data protection laws?
Digital transformation must be strategic, secure, and compliant. We integrate legal-by-design technology, thoroughly vetting compliance with local and international regulations before implementation. Robust data governance policies ensure secure and lawful information management.
Additionally, we prioritize continuous training to enhance teams’ awareness of digital risks and best practices. A well-executed transformation does not just optimize processes—it reinforces organizational trust by aligning with legal and ethical responsibilities.
What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?
Beyond combining a strategic mindset with strong technical expertise, in-house counsel must align with business objectives and find solutions that balance compliance and growth. Adaptability is critical, as we must respond with the same agility as business evolves.
Technology plays a key role in modern legal management, making digital competency essential. The ability to leverage technological tools to optimize processes, manage risk, and protect information is now a fundamental skill.
General counsel and president of the compliance unit | Grupo Santillana