Nelson Figueroa Vereau is a lawyer specialised in energy law, with over ten years of experience, particularly focusing on hydrocarbons. He possesses extensive knowledge in the legal management of energy sector companies, with a particular emphasis on environmental and safety regulations relevant to operations. Nelson’s background includes significant experience working within public entities, providing him with insight into the approaches and actions of regulatory bodies concerning the development of energy activities.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

First, develop a crisis management plan, which includes identifying potential legal risks according to various scenarios, and considering the different stakeholders at risk. After that, I would prepare a comprehensive response for each one of them. It is crucial to have all legal documentation, permits, and especially contracts, updated and validated to ensure compliance and reduce potential liabilities. As a second step, it is important to monitor the development of the legal strategy during the crisis evolution – measure the results to evaluate potential adjustments as the episode descales or becomes more severe. At all times, it is crucial to have open and transparent communication with all stakeholders, especially the board of directors, shareholders, employees, and customers. This will enhance the organisation’s reputation and protect the brand’s integrity. This crisis legal strategy must be embedded with the long-term goals and objectives of the company, which will ensure the vision, ethics, and legacy of the organisation.

What emerging technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future, and how do you stay updated on these developments?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable tool that is making a significant impact in our roles as lawyers and in many aspects of our daily lives. AI-powered tools can manage tasks that consume valuable working hours for lawyers, allowing us to focus on addressing the urgent legal matters of our company’s business. From simple tasks like organisation tools to more complex ones like legal research or document reviewing, AI serves as a handy ally to strengthen the legal profession.

As AI continues to evolve, specific applications like contract drafting or smart contract design will be developed or updated to improve them, providing precise solutions and support for us. To stay up to date with these technological advances, I rely on the experience of recognised legal professionals who use, review, and promote the use of these tools through professional social networks.