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

My journey to becoming an in-house counsel began with a strong foundation in law, complemented by a keen interest in the real estate and development sector. After completing my law degree, I sought opportunities that would allow me to merge my legal expertise with my passion for real estate development. I started practicing in a trust company, La Fiduciaria, where I began to familiarise with the retail world and fall in love with real estate and corporate law, gaining invaluable experience in transactions, negotiations, and regulatory compliance. This experience laid the groundwork for my transition to an in-house role in retail companies, where I saw the opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping and executing strategic projects in the real estate domain. The prospect of being directly involved in the company’s growth and success, and the challenge of navigating the complex legal landscape of real estate development, were the driving forces behind my decision to become an in-house counsel.

What inspired me to pursue a career as an in-house counsel in the real estate development sector was the dynamic nature of the industry and the opportunity to be part of a team that transforms visions into tangible assets like hotels, offices, and malls. The real estate sector is at the intersection of law, business, and community development, which provides a unique platform to contribute meaningfully while facing a diverse set of challenges. The idea of being involved in projects that have a lasting impact on communities and the landscape motivated me to specialise in this field.

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

As an in-house counsel, my main responsibilities revolve around overseeing all legal matters at the company level. This includes negotiating and drafting key contracts and agreements with clients, investors, and partners to ensure our projects are legally sound and viable. I also handle corporate governance and secretarial duties, ensuring compliance with regulations and protecting the company’s interests. On a day-to-day basis, I collaborate with various departments to provide legal guidance on projects, mitigate risks, and resolve any legal issues that arise, ensuring smooth operation and progress of our developments; and also, I think a main responsibility is make my team grow, in every aspect.

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

One key challenge I have faced as a rising star in-house counsel is staying abreast of the rapidly changing teams and stakeholders we work with, and how rapidly we must make decisions on daily matters. Also, my role includes overseeing compliance matters, and making other people in our company aware of compliance guidelines. To overcome this, I think the key is balancing the need to mitigate risk while supporting the company’s growth objectives. I have addressed this by fostering strong, collaborative relationships with stakeholders across the company, enabling me to better understand the business objectives and develop legal strategies that align with our goal.

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

To enhance my professional development and expand my legal skill set, I have taken every opportunity I have had to participate in diverse projects; also, I like networking with peers in the industry, which I think has been invaluable, providing me with diverse perspectives and innovative solutions to complex legal challenges. Additionally, I have embraced mentorship roles, both as a mentor and a mentee, which has enriched my professional journey with insights and experiences from seasoned professionals and emerging talents alike.