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

Since my early 20´s, I was part of the highest ranked Intellectual Property Law firm in Mexico, Olivares, at the Anti-counterfeit/piracy team. 

The most fascinating aspect of specialising in anti-counterfeit/piracy matters is that I was able to learn about all the Intellectual Property areas. Therefore, I prepared and initiated actions against the infringement of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, among other IP matters, through administrative, civil, criminal, or other innovative actions. 

Due to the above, I learned the way in which a company should be protected, and the importance of IP Rights, to create a safe ground for a company to reach their goals. 

Furthermore, I understood that the protection of Intellectual Property rights is of the outmost importance, not only for companies, but also for the society, as this creates a better, safer and more secure scenario for everyone. The fight against counterfeits or piracy is one of the most important actions in which not only the companies should be involved, but also governments and the same society. And by realising this, I became totally invested in my work, my love and embracement for intellectual property, which for me is one of the most important assets for any company and any person. 

After working several years in a Law Firm, I also had the opportunity to be part of the main associations in the country related with IP matters, and therefore, I was involved in creating training seminars, reaching schools and authorities. 

Therefore, when the Legal Director of America Movil reached out to me, to have the opportunity to apply for the job, I was totally excited about getting the opportunity to learn and to live the protection of a company from the inside. 

I highly consider that, all the actions, cases, difficulties, cumbersome scenarios that I previously experienced, prepared me for this moment in my life, and mainly, to have the opportunity to establish a better of understanding intellectual property to create a better scenario for the company. 

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

I am in charge of all the intellectual property matters, from the trademark portfolio worldwide, to agreements in which IP matters have to be considered, due diligence and the intellectual property aspects of any action, copyrights of all the TV series that the company produces, movies that it purchases, any litigation related with intellectual property, among other matters.

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

The main challenge for me was to understand the huge difference between working in a Law Firm and as an in-house attorney. Since after many years handling cases of different companies, different industries groups, I had to specialise in the core matter of the company, which is, telecommunications. 

However, even though at a simple glance the company is mainly focused in telecommunications, it is also involved in entertainment, sports, retail, among others. 

Thus, the main challenges have been to create and to establish a line of action to improve and empower the company through its intellectual property rights. 

The legal department of America Móvil, functions like a Law Firm in certain situations. Therefore, I have been able to look intellectual property through new eyes, and through different perspectives, being able to be part of due diligence, acquisitions of intellectual property rights, marketing analysis, license of movies, etc. 

Therefore, every day since the moment I arrived, it has been a challenge, and I must say an amazing challenge.

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

I decided to have a better understanding of the company, it’s the basis, the activities and benchmark. Generally speaking, I decided to understand the “why” of the company. Why we offer the services, why we create this huge enterprise, why has an influence in the society, why we are important within the telecommunications industry, and why we are important in Mexico and worldwide. 

I started learning and studying the different areas, insights and elements that create this whole company, and their importance. I have learned about mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, banking, real state, telecommunications, and every day, I want keep on learning to become a better professional and to be able to analyse all of what the company implies, to be able to create a better protection, not only regarding intellectual property, but the company in general.