Major legal advisers: Pietrantoni Méndez & Alvarez
 
What is the number one challenge that has impacted you over the past year?  
 
The number one challenge that has impacted me over the past year has been establishing and demonstrating the value of my role within the company. When I joined, the position I now hold did not exist, so I needed to carve out its significance. It was crucial for me to emphasise the various areas where a legal perspective is not only useful but oftentimes crucial. Given the complex matters the company deals with they saw the value of bringing in an in-house lawyer. With my legal perspective, I help Infinigen prevent issues, manage risks, and negotiate for the company’s benefit. My goal is to be perceived as a facilitator and risk mitigator whose work is geared towards and essential to the company’s success. This requires that I challenge and move away from the traditional lawyer stereotypes. To achieve this, I have insisted on participating in meetings even when not invited. This has often allowed me to provide valuable insights and has helped me better understand the company, the team, and how our facilities operate.  
 
Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?  
 
I was an engineer before entering law school, so I am wired to always look for standardisation and ways to improve processes. In my current role, I have been researching available tools designed for in-house lawyers to streamline their work and eliminate time-consuming tasks that do not necessarily add value. As part of this research, I identified an opportunity to manage my own workload with the same tools utilised by our project management team. I have effectively managed my workload and tasks by adopting these tools, aligning with the project management approach. This innovation not only enhances our legal processes but also integrates my legal practice with project management strategies, taking a step beyond traditional legal methods.  
 
What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?  
 
Understanding your company’s product and operations is paramount in order to excel as an in-house lawyer in any industry. Our industry involves intricate technical aspects that directly influence the contracts we negotiate and execute. Being able to comprehend these technicalities is a prerequisite for drafting effective contracts that protect our interests.  
 
Another distinctive quality is effective communication with the team. Personally, I rely on clear communication with those colleagues who possess knowledge and expertise on the technical aspects of our operation. Their explanations help me grasp complex concepts, which I then translate into precise contractual language. This communicative bridge is vital for ensuring accuracy and alignment between both legal terminology and technical realities.  
 
Moreover, as demonstrated by my own journey, a willingness to learn and adapt is crucial. Integrating project management knowledge and strategies into legal processes, even if unconventional, can yield innovative solutions that enhance efficiency without significant expenses. This adaptability allows us to find new avenues for improvement and growth within the legal field.