Can you tell us about your journey to becoming an in-house counsel? What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?   

During my undergraduate studies and my work at law firms, I felt like something was missing within me. It was not until I worked as an in-house corporate lawyer that I understood what was lacking: taking my work beyond the realm of lawyers and being part of a team with a common goal, as well as exposure to different legal systems when dealing with multinational companies.  

I believe that the diversity of matters within the company’s activities and being involved in the outcomes of various projects motivate me to pursue a career in this field. Additionally, the opportunity to observe and participate in the complete picture of a project allows me to engage in areas outside of the legal realm.  

In your role as an in-house counsel, what are the main responsibilities and tasks you handle on a day-to-day basis?   

The law department is responsible for providing its services to the company. Everyone within the company is our internal client, and we must support them. The responsibilities and tasks include but are not limited to analysing the legal aspects of project execution, creating and reviewing contracts, responding to legal inquiries on labour matters, reviewing project terms and conditions, advising on legal compliance, corporate governance, and regulatory interpretation applicable to the company’s business, among others.   

What are some of the key challenges you have faced as a rising star in-house counsel, and how have you overcome them?   

Some of the main challenges I have faced include effectively communicating the legal analysis and decisions to the company’s leaders and recognising that our legal input holds significant value in decision-making. In this regard, my opinions must be well-founded and align with the company’s objectives, which are achieved through continuous study of the subject matter and teamwork, making you an integral part of the project.   

Additionally, it has been a challenge to understand that one person cannot know everything and that it is necessary to seek support from external legal colleagues, making you the bridge of communication and interpretation between them and the internal clients. Therefore, I aim to maintain effective organisation of my tasks, especially those I delegate, and understand that being an in-house lawyer also entails handling administrative responsibilities within a company.   

What steps have you taken to enhance your professional development and expand your legal skill set?   

I am currently completing a master’s degree in administrative law, which has provided me with a better understanding of the legal framework of the government and the comprehensive scope it regulates. One of my main reasons for pursuing this master’s degree was that it offers a foundational doctrinal study with practical applications, bridging the content with the private sector.  

Additionally, I actively participate in internal training programs offered by the company, which help me improve my communication, leadership, time management, and financial reasoning skills. Although these courses are not legal-focused, I consider them valuable for any lawyer, because a good lawyer, especially in-house, must understand and consider all aspects that a project may entail, not limiting themselves solely to legal regulations.