About

With over 25 years’ in-house experience, Rubén Sabatini ‘may be from an older generation but is without doubt a great lawyer and an excellent in-house’. Currently general counsel for Latin America at Pluspetrol (‘he’s been there so long because he has been so effective’ say admirers), where he heads a 30-strong team including 15 lawyers. Sabatini has also directed a postgraduate programme on petroleum & natural gas law for over 18 years, an academic engagement he cites as ‘key to his own professional evolution’ and ‘a constant incentive’. Characterised as ‘always impressively up-to-date’ and recognised both internally and by private practice partners for his pro-business attitude, he sets great store in team work and in the selection and recruitment of team members: ‘professional capability is of fundamental importance but I have always placed the same or greater focus upon those human qualities that allow natural integration into the existing team’. Proud of all the successes during his time at the company, he is quick to note that ‘none pertain to me exclusively’. The team is currently involved in negotiations to acquire Harvest Natural Resources’ Petrodelta assets in Venezuela, in a $400m, two-stage transaction.