Deputy legal director | KCSM Kansas City Southern de México
Assistant general counsel, Latina America | IPG Mediabrands and Kinesso
Corporate, labour and litigation legal affairs director | General Motors de México
Senior legal counsel – Mexican manufacturing operations, Andean and Caribbean entities | Emerson Electric
Deputy general counsel, head of wholesale legal and markets legal for Mexico and Latam | HSBC
Deputy general counsel Mexico and Northern Latam | Continental
Senior legal counsel - Americas region | HERE Technologies
Senior legal and compliance counsel | Element Fleet Management Corporation México
Group legal counsel region Americas | DNV
Senior corporate legal manager | Servicios Corporativos Javer
Legal counsel – upstream global commercial and exploration | Shell
Senior corporate legal manager | Restaurantes ADMX (McDonald´s México)
Latam senior legal counsel | The Coca-Cola Company
Counsel, senior manager | Mondelēz Snacking Mexico
Latam legal counsel | The Coca-Cola Company
Gerente jurídico de inversiones e innovación en sistemas de pago y remesas | Grupo Elektra
Deputy corporate and finance legal director | Grupo Televisa
Financial services legal manager | Walmart de México y Centroamérica
Senior counsel for Latam | Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Legal director | CBRE Global Workplace Solutions
Associate director, general lawyer - Latin America compliance focal point | Kyndryl México
Senior legal counsel and compliance officer | TC Energy
Head of legal | MPA - FIBRA Macquarie Group
Legal counsel corporate and investment banking | Banco Sabadell México
Employee relations generalist | H&M HENNES & MAURITZ
Senior legal manager – corporate and real estate | The Home Depot México
With immense pride, The Legal 500 presents the eagerly awaited second edition of GC Powerlist: Mexico Rising Stars 2023, dedicated to shining a luminous spotlight on the rising stars of in-house counsel based in Mexico. This edition takes you on a journey through the dynamic careers of these in-house lawyers who are steadily ascending the ladder of success in their field. It is an exciting offshoot from our regular research endeavors in Mexico, notably The GC Powerlist Mexico, our publication that celebrates the accomplishments of senior in-house counsel across the country.
This edition’s interviews not only showcase the key support provided by these emerging legal talents within their organisations but we were eager to uncover the remarkable journeys that have brought our rising stars to their current positions – from the moment they decided to embark on a career in law to the daily challenges they encounter in their roles. The counsel featured in this publication generously shared the steps they are taking to ensure their personal and professional growth within their respective companies.
Alessandra Marcarian, Assistant General Counsel, Latin America at IPGMediabrands and Kinesso, summed up her approach: ‘I have always been fortunate to have extraordinary mentors in my professional life. As an in-house counsel, I make sure I surround myself with mentors in different areas ranging from senior counsel, strategists, sales and account managers, top executives, and now publicists. By doing so, I learned to view obstacles and opportunities from various angles and to make recommendations suited to the scenario at hand. Curiosity is another trait that allows me to develop professionally and personally. The goal is to always learn something new. Every. Single. Day’.
Within the pages of this publication, you will find a rich tapestry of the challenges that rising stars have faced and continue to encounter in their daily roles. Ana Paula Rendón, Legal and Compliance Manager at Navistar Mexico, encapsulates the sentiment of our rising stars: ‘Being an in-house counsel for a big company, serving a large variety of internal clients focused on vastly different goals and aspects of the business, can lead to a perception of lack of service, or in hasty decision making. Therefore, having a trustworthy team, prepared and willing to go into battle with the mindset of growing and achieving common goals, is the most practical and efficient way to meet the internal client’s expectations while learning from the experience’.
Bibiana Isabel Rangel Osorno, Corporate, Labour, and Litigation Legal Affairs Director at General Motors de Mexico, shared her insights into facing change and adapting to new industry sectors and scenarios: ‘The main challenge for me has always been change. We, as humans, love to feel comfortable but in the legal corporate world that is just a hint that your growth is stuck. So, change enters as a key support in continued growing. Of course, it is not always easy or pleasant. Having to learn new tasks, new areas, familiarise yourself with the current projects and operations may be challenging and that is mainly due to the time this might take, but it is always a very satisfactory process. In my career I have managed different areas along the company, from purchasing and logistics, to finance, then to labour and criminal, corporate and sales, workplace safety, marketing, and the list goes on and on, and each time is a challenge, but it is definitely worth it’.
I invite you to delve into the fascinating stories and unique perspectives of Mexico’s Rising Stars in the in-house legal community, shared within these pages.
Lastly, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the in-house counsel featured in this publication, as they join the ranks of hundreds of Powerlisters worldwide, achieving remarkable milestones in your legal careers. It was indeed a pleasure to connect with you and learn about your incredible contributions to the legal realm.
Sara Maggi| Deputy Editor The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Series
As our annual legal gathering, the GC Summit Argentina 2025, continues to grow, it now encompasses the most up-to-date legal challenges faced by in-house counsel. All the sessions offered a dynamic and thought-provoking exploration of the country’s evolving business environment. From labour law to corporate deregulation and the evolving role of legal leadership, panellists delivered valuable insights that painted a comprehensive picture of the challenges and opportunities facing professionals in Argentina today.
In the first session, sponsored by Deloitte, panellists delved into the complexities of Argentina’s labour law landscape, focusing on pressing challenges and strategic planning. The discussion began with a reflection on the country’s pending labour reforms, many of which are seen as crucial to modernising employment regulations and reducing the administrative burden on companies. One of the key themes was the high financial cost of employment in Argentina, driven by rigid regulation, social security contributions, and the influence of powerful trade unions. The panellists discussed how economic instability and high interest rates have further complicated labour litigation, leading to increased exposure for employers.
The conversation moved to dispute mitigation strategies, with practical examples of how companies are navigating contentious employment environments. The speakers also highlighted the significant implications of mergers and acquisitions, particularly the challenges of integrating workforces while maintaining compliance with complex regulatory frameworks. In an increasingly globalised economy, cross-border employment considerations—ranging from legal to cultural—were also explored. This included issues around remote work, tax obligations, and varying employment standards across jurisdictions. The panel concluded by urging companies to adopt more agile and preventative legal strategies to better manage risk and cost in this demanding environment.
Led by Gastón Miani and Leonel Zanotto, Tavarone’s session focused on the intricacies of Argentina’s tax system in the context of its volatile economic environment. A major point of discussion was the tax inflation adjustment mechanism, which has become essential for accurately reflecting economic realities and preventing distorted tax liabilities. The speakers examined the evolving legal interpretations surrounding loss carryforwards and updates, noting how these can significantly affect corporate tax planning and financial forecasting.
Another key issue was the growing concern around gross income tax credit balances, which many businesses are struggling to reconcile due to inconsistent administrative responses and a lack of clarity around refund procedures. The PAIS tax reimbursement process was also scrutinised, particularly in light of increased foreign exchange restrictions and the bureaucratic hurdles that companies must overcome to claim refunds.
The panel offered a comprehensive look at recent legislative developments and court rulings, highlighting the increasing importance of litigation in shaping tax policy. Overall, the session underscored the urgent need for clarity, consistency, and reform in the tax system to foster a more predictable environment for businesses.
Following a brief coffee break, PAGBAM’s panel discussed the impact of Argentina’s sweeping deregulatory reforms, particularly under Decree 70/2023. These reforms, which aim to eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies and modernise economic governance, have significant implications for corporate lawyers.
The speakers noted that with the dismantling of cumbersome regulatory processes, legal departments are increasingly freed from routine compliance tasks and are able to focus on strategic matters. M&A activity, corporate structuring, and international expansion were highlighted as areas now demanding more attention and proactive legal guidance. The discussion also addressed how anticipated reductions in labour and consumer claims may reshape legal strategies, encouraging lawyers to shift from reactive to forward-looking roles.
General Counsel were encouraged to embrace a more business-oriented mindset, aligning legal work more closely with organisational goals. As regulation continues to evolve, adaptability and strategic foresight will be critical for legal teams navigating this new and less constrained operating environment.
In a compelling fireside chat, Héctor Ferreira of Hughes & Hughes spoke with Margherita Birri, editor of The Legal 500, about Uruguay’s emergence as a regional leader in business and legal stability. Ferreira outlined the country’s political and legal predictability as a major draw for investors, especially in contrast to the volatility in neighbouring countries. He emphasised Uruguay’s strong institutions, transparent legal system, and open economic policies as foundations for sustained growth.
The conversation touched on key sectors such as renewable energy, tech, and agribusiness, where Uruguay is actively fostering innovation and foreign participation. Ferreira also discussed the country’s push for sustainable development, highlighting initiatives that combine economic growth with environmental responsibility. Attendees were left with a strong impression of Uruguay as a safe and attractive jurisdiction for both corporate activity and long-term investment.
Elevating General Counsel as a Strategic Business Partner (5:20pm – 6:05pm)
The final panel of the day focused on the evolving role of the General Counsel. Rodrigo Hermida, Ivana Di Carlo, and Federico Martinez explored how legal leadership is becoming integral to corporate strategy. No longer limited to risk and compliance, GCs are now expected to influence decision-making, shape business direction, and proactively manage legal and reputational risks.
The speakers discussed how the use of data, performance metrics, and cross-departmental collaboration has become essential in elevating the GC’s role. They stressed the importance of effective reporting and communication with leadership, as well as the need to understand the company’s commercial objectives deeply. The panel also acknowledged the impact of digital transformation, which requires legal teams to be agile and tech-savvy. As the business landscape becomes more complex, the General Counsel is increasingly seen not just as a protector of the company, but as a vital contributor to its success.
As per usual, the day concluded with brief closing remarks, followed by a networking session with delicious local drinks and canapés, allowing attendees to reflect on the day’s discussions and connect with peers and experts in a more informal setting. The panels throughout the afternoon provided attendees with a rich and nuanced understanding of the legal and regulatory developments shaping Argentina and its regional neighbours, equipping legal professionals with actionable insights to navigate the path ahead.
