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

I started my career in private practice, I had the opportunity to join the real estate team of a very well-known law firm two years after law school. Eventually, the opportunity to work as in-house counsel for a client became available… and… here I am. In my personal experience the transition from private practice to in-house counsel was very smooth, I already had the technical legal knowledge, and the business side of it I learned on the go. I also had exceptional leaders, mentors and colleagues who helped me grow and continue to do so in such an organic way that it is almost imperceptible to me. Sometimes I must stop and look back to really appreciate how far I’ve come.  

Being an in-house counsel is not as easy as one might think, you interact with hundreds of people on a daily basis, all from different areas of the company, each with their own corporate and personal needs and personalities, and you must deliver an excellent customer service experience to all of them, while managing risks and keeping the company’s wellbeing as a priority.  

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

My current role entails leading the legal team for MPA, A Member of FIBRA Macquarie Group. Making sure risks are being assessed appropriately, internal and external stakeholders are being taken care of, making sure we are implementing new ways to become more agile, all while delivering a quality product. I strive to identify each of my team members unique qualities and strengths to build on them and make sure we have a high performing team, while respecting their individuality. I also manage relationships with outside counsel.  

Additionally, the day-to-day of the operation includes negotiations with external clients and coordinating litigations.  

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

Technology and innovation, these two made me step out of my comfort zone. Way back when, lawyers were not expected to know anything about technology; however, the rapid advancement in technology has been keeping me on my toes. Today I’m pro-technology, I’ll admit it took me a while to get there, but I finally understand that technology is our friend, making work more efficient and allowing us time to really focus on those areas that need our involvement. The saying “Work smarter not harder” takes a new meaning when referring to technology and innovation.  

It all comes down to understanding that we are living in a very fast paced environment and change is happening all the time all around us and we need to embrace it, otherwise we become obsolete.  

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

I believe continued education is the key. In this ever-changing world, the role of in-house counsel has shifted, we are no longer expected to just have the necessary legal technical skills, but to master other soft skills, like communication, flexibility, agility, creativity, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence, which will allow an in-house counsel to become a trusted advisor to the company. In-house counsels are no longer left to legal matters, we are expected to be part of the conversation on how to generate more value to the company.