About

JLL’s legal team in Mexico has proven to be at the forefront of the most relevant legal subjects that might affect the field of their businesses, using a preventive strategy that looks to anticipate possible contingencies that may occur. The team work to identify possible risks, as well as to implement the necessary measures of mitigation, such as predetermined criteria, controls, processes, technology, among others. A nominator identifies that the team has a ‘solid team of lawyers specialised in different and diverse branches of law and with wide knowledge that efficiently and correctly [complies] with the requirements of the company’. Agustin Ballina Casares, chief legal counsel and ethics officer for Mexico, leads the team of nine lawyers, two law clerks and an administrative director assistant. The team has been involved in the execution of several strategies to simplify and decrease legal risk in the company’s contracts. For instance, it arranged master services agreements with institutional vendors, reducing contract workload and allowing it to create long term relationships with better conditions for both parties. It updated and implemented new internal policies applicable for JLL Mexico such as anti-money laundering, personal data privacy and reception of documents issued by governmental bodies, among others. In the last two years, the team participated with JLL’s business team to implement a specific strategy to provide facilities management services in several industrial plants and offices, adapting the strategy to the labour and operational challenges. It acted as project manager to coordinate all the construction processes for one of the highest and most representative buildings in Mexico City. Additionally, it concluded a new airport terminal in one of the most important airports of Mexico. Likewise it was awarded the contract for the execution of another major airport project on the Mexican border. Ballina identifies that, ‘as a business partner, we find ways to help JLL’s commercial lines to grow the business, while minimising (or eliminating when possible) the legal contingencies of their operations, always observing and reinforcing ethics, excellence and team work, the core values of JLL’.