Could you tell us a bit about your significant successes in your role?

I joined Semapa approximately five years ago, having previously worked in law firms and in the banking sector. At Semapa, I had the opportunity to join one of the biggest Portuguese industrial groups and get exposed to a plethora of legal issues.

My role at Semapa is quite diverse as I provide support and collaborate on various projects involving corporate law, contracts, M&A, financing, capital markets, data and privacy, corporate governance, compliance and more. I also helped the company achieve its strategic objectives while minimising legal risks and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

I believe that my success as legal counsel comes from the opportunities I have had throughout my professional career, including working with exceptional lawyers who have greatly contributed to my formation, alongside my ability to adapt, persevere, and work hard.

In your opinion, what are the qualities and skills needed to form a strong legal team?

I believe that a strong legal team requires a blend of various qualities and skills.

Firstly, the team should possess excellent communication and collaboration skills, along with emotional intelligence, to foster strong working relationships within the team and with other departments. It is also important to work well under pressure and have exceptional legal technical skills.

Moreover, it is crucial for team members to have a deep understanding of the company’s business and objectives and be able to work in diverse environments. They should think innovatively and constructively while identifying risks and key legal issues to contribute to informed decision-making.

What is the biggest risk to your industry, and how are you contributing to prepare your organisation for this?

I believe the constant evolution of legislation and regulation is one of the biggest risks for any organisation these days. In this regard, my team developed and implemented a series of policies and procedures to ensure that the company complies with relevant laws and regulations and provided guidance to other departments on legal matters.

A recent example of this is ESG policies, which are becoming more and more important for organisations. As the EU increasingly focus on environmental, social and governance issues, they introduce new regulations and laws that organisations must comply with. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in financial penalties, legal liability, and reputational damage. Therefore, organisations need to have robust ESG policies in place to comply with current legislation and regulation, and also keep pace with new and continuous developments in this area.

What challenges have you overcome to get to the position you are in today?

I have faced several obstacles and persevered through them to get to where I am today.

Maintaining a balance between work and personal life is one of them, especially since I have dedicated significant time over the years to pursuing further education and training in various legal fields. While this pursuit has required significant personal sacrifices, it has also provided me with the opportunity to develop important skills such as setting clear work-life boundaries and time management.

Furthermore, the professional challenges I faced include working on projects and taking on roles beyond my area of expertise and outside my comfort zone, which was daunting as it required stepping into unfamiliar territory and learning new skills. However, it was also an opportunity for personal and professional growth, as it allowed me to expand my knowledge and skills and develop my abilities in new areas.