Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?

As a result of the labour decree of 2021, which prohibited the subcontracting of personnel, a corporate and operational structural reform was carried out in the company. This labour reform brought with it a host of requirements to be met, and failure to comply with them for a development company such as ours could lead to significant financial penalties.

In this sense, an internal exercise was carried out, simulating an inspection by the authorities. The purpose was to identify compliance with these requirements, areas for improvement based on the results of this exercise, as well as to improve all aspects of our operations. This effort has given us the opportunity to avoid financial penalties or possible sanctions.

Can you foresee any key developments to the way general counsel work over the next five years?

I can foresee four key developments that will impact the way general counsel works over the next five years. Firstly, legal departments will experience, as they already are, technological disruption. As the number of technological tools at our disposal increases, I expect that our work will become more efficient.

Secondly, legal advisors are no longer mere “interpreters of the law” or “providers of legal opinions”, but true managers of internal and external legal resources and processes.

Third, business decisions, general counsel are expected to take a more proactive role in the company’s business decisions, engaging in decision-making by providing accurate legal strategies to reduce negative impacts. Finally, compliance, general counsel ensures and will continue to ensure the company’s compliance and commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) as well as inclusion and diversity issues.

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?

As our Costa Palmas development is located on the western side of the Sea of Cortez in Baja California Sur, Mexico, our commitment to the environment is essential. We have strict policies to comply with all our environmental permits and licences. In this regard, because of our concern for sustainability and conservation in the region, in my capacity as general counsel, I helped advise Costa Palmas on the creation of a non-profit charitable organisation called the “Costa Palmas Foundation” to spearhead initiatives ranging from improving the well-being of the nearby community to protecting the environment of the Eastern Cape.

How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment?

At Irongate, and specifically in the legal department, we believe that inclusion helps to promote professional growth, emotional well-being, social well-being and improves people’s quality of life. We are convinced that inclusion in the workplace is not only about “helping” those who are victims of exclusion, but also about thinking big with an innovative and productive perspective that values the contributions of all people and groups.

That is why we have established very solid policies based on the following premises. Inclusion is a human right and, therefore, aims to guarantee that all people or social groups have the same opportunities and rights, regardless of their characteristics, origin, sex, culture or needs. It helps to eliminate stereotypes and re-educates us on how to live together while respecting our differences. It contributes to cultural changes that will ultimately promote greater social inclusion in other areas of life in society. It improves the quality of organisational leadership, inclusive leaders committed to diversity and equity can identify the strengths of their team members and leverage them for productivity and development.