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

In 2017, I had the opportunity to become an in-house counsel in MetLife. Before MetLife, I worked at a law firm, providing external support to the management and development of different regulated and non-regulated agreements with aeronautical, retail companies and several stakeholders such as authorities, clients, and unions.  

Working in MetLife as in-house counsel inspires and gives the opportunity to interact with colleagues from other regions, learn from the insurance industry and be part of an international company with solid human values.  

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

My main role in MetLife requires collaboration with the lines of business and staff areas, working closely to provide alternatives and solutions mitigating legal risks. The two key main responsibilities and tasks are developing a skilled team with a deep understanding of the insurance business and the organisational culture of the company, being capable of providing legal solutions; and collaborating on the creation of a trusted environment between our teammates (legal business partners) and our stakeholders.  

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

A current concern in the insurance industry is the business competition for clients, and policy holders demanding digital tools and fast solutions. This has resulted in the need to adjust our internal processes, develop new products and adapt the current ones.  

We have been working by adjusting the structure and language of the products, business proposals and IT procurement agreement to be more competitive, without compromising legal protection for the business.  

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

By enhancing soft skills, professional skills will develop automatically. I aim to set realistic goals for myself, seek feedback and a mentor, and identify obstacles.