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

I was inspired to pursue a career in the airline industry due to the dynamic nature of the business. Our company’s goal is to help people fly toward their dreams, and to achieve that, we constantly strive to innovate. This makes working in this field exciting and never boring.

My journey with LATAM Airlines started ten years ago as an intern, and since then, I have learned a lot. I began learning from my first day, and I continue to learn new things even today. During this period, I have had the opportunity to learn from many people I have worked with, not just about legal work, but also about being a good role model for the younger generation. I try to incorporate these learnings into my daily work.

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

On a daily basis, my primary goal is to be a reliable ally to the various departments that require legal assistance. I offer legal advice and aid them in implementing their ideas while complying with the legal framework. Additionally, among other responsibilities, I am responsible for supervising the legal department and obtaining permits to fly new routes. This process involves acquiring legal permits in Peru, securing the rights to fly specific aircraft models to various countries, ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations, and liaising with different authorities from different countries. For instance, in 2023, we launched routes to destinations such as Aruba, Atlanta, Salta, Caracas, and Cuba, to mention a few. Some of these routes were new, while others were returning ones.

Furthermore, in the past few years, I have been actively involved in LATAM’s operation at Lima’s upcoming airport. One of my roles has been negotiating some of the most significant infrastructure contracts for LATAM Perú while ensuring the viability of our operations for the convenience of our passengers.

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

As an in-house counsel, one might assume that the primary challenge is related to legal matters. However, in my experience, being an in-house counsel requires more than just legal expertise. We must also possess a deep understanding of how various departments within the company function and their thinking processes. The most significant challenge in this role is to establish ourselves as allies, gain the trust of our colleagues, and create a comfortable environment where they feel free to speak with us.

Also, managing a team of lawyers with different backgrounds, knowledge, and points of view is one of the biggest challenges in my position. The real challenge lies in ensuring that each member of the team has a fulfilling experience as well as opportunities to develop their skills. I believe that as long as you have a reliable and trustworthy team, there are no legal challenges that cannot be overcome.

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

As legal professionals, we are constantly engaged in learning and growth, and I consider myself an enthusiastic learner. To keep myself updated on the latest legal developments, I regularly take courses in various legal areas, with a special focus on new technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things) and the impact of the internet on us as consumers, lawyers, and human beings.

Transportation, particularly air transportation, is a technology-driven field. Our clients usually book tickets online, they view our advertisements on social media, and our aircrafts are equipped with some of the most advanced technology in the world. Furthermore, it is crucial to develop skills beyond just legal knowledge, particularly problem-solving skills and management abilities, and it is important to consider this when choosing what to learn in your professional development.