In what ways do you see the in-house legal role evolving in your region over the next few years?

In-house legal teams are becoming a chimera of sorts involving not only “black letter” advice but having to necessarily have a government relations and regulatory mindset. To be effective, now more than ever lawyers must know the dynamics and intricacies of their business and its environment, just like business leaders.

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

In 2021 there was still a fair amount of Covid management with respect to labour, supply chain and international trade matters. As far as Mexico is concerned, there was a significant labour reform that required significant project management to keep our companies compliant. Our company is in the process of closing a seventy-year-old manufacturing operation in central Mexico that has required a sizeable effort of contract and permit administration alongside GR and PR campaigns.

As we enter the next decade, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?

In my opinion, the efficacy of legal teams relies on three prongs: technology; additional in-house regulatory, ESG and compliance expertise; and more efficient ways of payment structuring with outside counsel.