For 28 years, The Legal 500 has been analysing the capabilities of law firms across the world. The GC Powerlist is the latest publication from The Legal 500, turning its attention to the in-house function, and recognising those corporate counsel who are driving the legal business forward. The latest edition is the GC Powerlist: US Teams, which identifies an array of the most influential and innovative in-house teams working in the United States.
Our commitment to the in-house market is expanding, not only through the publication of the GC Powerlist Series, but also with our wide range of events, seminars, roundtables and legal updates. We have also launched GC Magazine, a quarterly title (free of charge to in-house counsel) that looks at the business of being an in-house lawyer, from a strategic, commercial and theoretical standpoint. We understand that the biggest issues facing in-house counsel today are, in fact, rarely legal issues. Our editor-in-chief, Catherine McGregor is now based in the United States and is travelling the length and breadth of the country to meet, interview, analyse and finally share the very best that the in-house market has to offer.
If you have feedback on the GC Powerlist: United States Teams, or wish to nominate other in-house individuals (either in US or global), please do get in touch at [email protected].
We hope that this listing will stimulate debate around the role of the in-house lawyer and help corporate counsel with possible improvements and efficiencies in running their departments.
David Burgess
Publishing Director
Known as the ‘Pacto por México’, the package of structural reforms adopted by the current administration upon its election in 2012 has already helped bring more investment to Mexico. While it remains necessary to fully employ the national budget so as to create new jobs and further grow employment, major structural measures have already been legislated by Enrique Peña Nieto’s government and these will effect competition, energy, finance, labor, infrastructure, telecommunications, amparo law (a constitutional appeal), private data protection, public private partnerships, anticorruption, education, transparency and tax matters. Significantly, implementation has already begun. These structural reforms have been rolled out at a time when Mexico –like other jurisdictions- is enduring a notable reduction in oil prices, but this has had only a limited impact on global oil companies’ interest in Mexico’s offshore hydrocarbons potential, since the major oil-and-gas players are aware that such projects generally require years to develop and can provide returns for decades. According to the OECD, full implementation of the reform package in the short term is crucial to the country’s reaping the benefits that will accrue from a strong and sustainable recovery, and could add as much as one percentage point to the annual per capita growth trend of Mexico’s GDP.
Each of the reforms noted above, address the key issues and challenges in their respective sectors. The Mexican economy currently ranks as the world’s 11th largest and the country is also the fourth largest exporter of automobiles and manufactures the vast majority of flat screen televisions sold in the United States. In fact, Mexico exports more manufactured products than the rest of Latin America combined. Many US law firms have implemented or considered the hire of individuals or groups with significant business activity, opening offices in Mexico from where they can better serve their clients’ requirements or deliver services at a lower price. This scenario presents a unique opportunity not only to grow the services local firms provide to existing clients but also to compete for and acquire new clients.
On the other hand, the role of the in-house lawyer is crucially important since they manage the legal risks associated with the business and legal issues involved in all decisions by management. Moreover, in-house lawyers have to respond to increasing pressure on legal costs, responding proactively with initiatives for cost reduction and identifying appropriate benchmarks to permit the measuring of efficiency. When making the transition from private practice to an in-house role, most lawyers move from a specialist background to a more generalist role with responsibility for areas in which they have markedly less experience. This potentially opens huge areas of opportunity for them, since in-house lawyers who demonstrate the ability to make commercial decisions find it easy to connect with the (internal) business teams and will further a company’s ability to make sound strategic choices based on analysis that combines both legal and commercial factors.
In this regard, relationships between in-house lawyers and external lawyers are becoming increasingly important. The successful appointment of preferred legal advisors and the development of a close working relationship with a law firm can be a significant opportunity for in-house legal teams and can help save both time and money.
Basham, Ringe y Correa is one of the largest and most prestigious full-service corporate law firms in Latin America. Established in Mexico in 1912, Basham draws upon a century of experience in assisting its clients to conduct business throughout Mexico. The firm’s clients include prominent international corporations (many of them on the Fortune 500 list), medium-sized companies, financial institutions and individuals.
Our large group of lawyers and support staff are committed to maintain the highest professional and ethical standards. The firm currently has approximately 130 lawyers, plus 47 paralegals, four engineers and seven translators. Constantly exposed to the international legal system, many of our lawyers and other professionals have completed post-graduate studies at foreign universities and have worked at companies and law firms from abroad. The firm’s members speak English fluently, and in some cases French and German.
The specialization and development of each department, coordination and support between the different areas, and in-depth knowledge of markets and economic trends, provide our clients with innovative complete and timely solutions. It is because of these qualities and values, we believe, that our clients have continued to entrust their legal affairs to us for many years, some for many decades.
The firm has regulatory and practical expertise in all areas of a modern legal practice and advises clients on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, commercial contracts, project financing, domestic and international tax planning, in-bond manufacturing, antitrust, banking, bankruptcy, trusts, insurance, business organizations, international trade, NAFTA and WTO matters, anti-dumping, intellectual property (covering patents, trademarks, models, designs, copyrights, domain names, licensing, franchising and unfair competition), entertainment, administrative law, government relations, government regulations, immigration, labor, employment, employee benefits and human resources planning, environmental law, energy, telecommunications, health, transportation, aviation, railroads, maritime, tourism, mining, consumer protection litigation, arbitration, criminal law and inheritance, real estate and agrarian matters. We also have specialized litigation departments for civil, commercial, criminal, labor, tax and administrative areas as well as commercial arbitration and constitutional proceedings (juicio de amparo).
The firm has been actively involved in the development and globalization of markets, working with clients to formulate creative solutions that meet their needs. The firm represents domestic and foreign clients in the private and public sectors and Basham, Ringe y Correa prides itself on working with clients that have developed important projects in Mexico.
The firm is able to provide complete and accurate legal translations of laws and documents to ensure that our clients have a full understanding of their operations.
As our annual legal gathering, the GC Summit Argentina 2025, continues to grow, it now encompasses the most up-to-date legal challenges faced by in-house counsel. All the sessions offered a dynamic and thought-provoking exploration of the country’s evolving business environment. From labour law to corporate deregulation and the evolving role of legal leadership, panellists delivered valuable insights that painted a comprehensive picture of the challenges and opportunities facing professionals in Argentina today.
In the first session, sponsored by Deloitte, panellists delved into the complexities of Argentina’s labour law landscape, focusing on pressing challenges and strategic planning. The discussion began with a reflection on the country’s pending labour reforms, many of which are seen as crucial to modernising employment regulations and reducing the administrative burden on companies. One of the key themes was the high financial cost of employment in Argentina, driven by rigid regulation, social security contributions, and the influence of powerful trade unions. The panellists discussed how economic instability and high interest rates have further complicated labour litigation, leading to increased exposure for employers.
The conversation moved to dispute mitigation strategies, with practical examples of how companies are navigating contentious employment environments. The speakers also highlighted the significant implications of mergers and acquisitions, particularly the challenges of integrating workforces while maintaining compliance with complex regulatory frameworks. In an increasingly globalised economy, cross-border employment considerations—ranging from legal to cultural—were also explored. This included issues around remote work, tax obligations, and varying employment standards across jurisdictions. The panel concluded by urging companies to adopt more agile and preventative legal strategies to better manage risk and cost in this demanding environment.
Led by Gastón Miani and Leonel Zanotto, Tavarone’s session focused on the intricacies of Argentina’s tax system in the context of its volatile economic environment. A major point of discussion was the tax inflation adjustment mechanism, which has become essential for accurately reflecting economic realities and preventing distorted tax liabilities. The speakers examined the evolving legal interpretations surrounding loss carryforwards and updates, noting how these can significantly affect corporate tax planning and financial forecasting.
Another key issue was the growing concern around gross income tax credit balances, which many businesses are struggling to reconcile due to inconsistent administrative responses and a lack of clarity around refund procedures. The PAIS tax reimbursement process was also scrutinised, particularly in light of increased foreign exchange restrictions and the bureaucratic hurdles that companies must overcome to claim refunds.
The panel offered a comprehensive look at recent legislative developments and court rulings, highlighting the increasing importance of litigation in shaping tax policy. Overall, the session underscored the urgent need for clarity, consistency, and reform in the tax system to foster a more predictable environment for businesses.
Following a brief coffee break, PAGBAM’s panel discussed the impact of Argentina’s sweeping deregulatory reforms, particularly under Decree 70/2023. These reforms, which aim to eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies and modernise economic governance, have significant implications for corporate lawyers.
The speakers noted that with the dismantling of cumbersome regulatory processes, legal departments are increasingly freed from routine compliance tasks and are able to focus on strategic matters. M&A activity, corporate structuring, and international expansion were highlighted as areas now demanding more attention and proactive legal guidance. The discussion also addressed how anticipated reductions in labour and consumer claims may reshape legal strategies, encouraging lawyers to shift from reactive to forward-looking roles.
General Counsel were encouraged to embrace a more business-oriented mindset, aligning legal work more closely with organisational goals. As regulation continues to evolve, adaptability and strategic foresight will be critical for legal teams navigating this new and less constrained operating environment.
In a compelling fireside chat, Héctor Ferreira of Hughes & Hughes spoke with Margherita Birri, editor of The Legal 500, about Uruguay’s emergence as a regional leader in business and legal stability. Ferreira outlined the country’s political and legal predictability as a major draw for investors, especially in contrast to the volatility in neighbouring countries. He emphasised Uruguay’s strong institutions, transparent legal system, and open economic policies as foundations for sustained growth.
The conversation touched on key sectors such as renewable energy, tech, and agribusiness, where Uruguay is actively fostering innovation and foreign participation. Ferreira also discussed the country’s push for sustainable development, highlighting initiatives that combine economic growth with environmental responsibility. Attendees were left with a strong impression of Uruguay as a safe and attractive jurisdiction for both corporate activity and long-term investment.
Elevating General Counsel as a Strategic Business Partner (5:20pm – 6:05pm)
The final panel of the day focused on the evolving role of the General Counsel. Rodrigo Hermida, Ivana Di Carlo, and Federico Martinez explored how legal leadership is becoming integral to corporate strategy. No longer limited to risk and compliance, GCs are now expected to influence decision-making, shape business direction, and proactively manage legal and reputational risks.
The speakers discussed how the use of data, performance metrics, and cross-departmental collaboration has become essential in elevating the GC’s role. They stressed the importance of effective reporting and communication with leadership, as well as the need to understand the company’s commercial objectives deeply. The panel also acknowledged the impact of digital transformation, which requires legal teams to be agile and tech-savvy. As the business landscape becomes more complex, the General Counsel is increasingly seen not just as a protector of the company, but as a vital contributor to its success.
As per usual, the day concluded with brief closing remarks, followed by a networking session with delicious local drinks and canapés, allowing attendees to reflect on the day’s discussions and connect with peers and experts in a more informal setting. The panels throughout the afternoon provided attendees with a rich and nuanced understanding of the legal and regulatory developments shaping Argentina and its regional neighbours, equipping legal professionals with actionable insights to navigate the path ahead.
