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

Yes, of course. To begin with, I launched my legal career at a law firm here in Mexico, where I delved deep into the intricacies of tax law. After spending five years at a law firm, the opportunity arose to join Trafigura’s regional tax department covering all LATAM. It felt like a fantastic chance to broaden my horizons and gain experience across the entire region, rather than confining myself to Mexico alone.

Trafigura is a global player with an extensive reach in different commodity markets. Consequently, transitioning into the in-house role was quite a challenge, given the need to navigate different jurisdictions and work with individuals from all corners of the world.

After two and a half years in Trafigura’s regional hub in Montevideo, I was offered the opportunity to return back to Mexico and continue my career in the tax department though now with a more country specific focus. So, that’s the story of how I found my way back here.

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

As a tax professional here in Mexico, my role involves substantial responsibilities, including handling audits before tax authorities, and participate in both administrative and judicial related litigation when related to tax matters. I also provide tax advisory to the commercial and finance teams which I work in close quarters with.

Could you tell us a bit about the pros and cons of working in-house?

Absolutely. Let me begin by drawing a distinction between working in a law firm and serving as an in-house tax counsel. In a law firm, you often conceptualize ideas and make proposals, but they do not always translate into tangible, down-to-earth business actions. As a lawyer, you may come up with various creative and sometimes ambitious ideas, but you may not always be entirely sure of their practical viability when applied within a company.

Becoming an in-house tax advisor, on the other hand, brings about a significant shift. It makes you more pragmatic, expands your role as you need to weigh in various aspects of the business, such as finance, operations, and the commercial aspects and priorities of the business. This experience provides a distinct advantage. While law firms may undoubtedly come up with great ideas and proposals, when it comes to implementing them in a concrete business context, you often encounter challenges and obstacles that the in-house role needs to find and overcome.

The greatest advantage of being an in-house tax lawyer, particularly in a large company, is that it grants you a window into the real world. It allows you to discern what is feasible and convenient in practice and for your own business, and what is just theory. I would say that this is the most significant difference between the two roles.