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?  

While working as in-house legal counsel, we had to find an innovative legal vehicle to grow without significant expenses, both regarding external legal fees and downpayments or disbursements. Therefore, we used an innovative legal structure that involved acquiring the economic rights and paying with the business revenue. This meant that the owners would receive a monthly payment (as a lease) without losing the business’s property and without the day-to-day work involved.   

To do so, we had to study a lot and draft a contract from scratch, analysing all the risks and expenses involved from a legal perspective and considering tax, commercial, and the overall business.  

Many things had to be considered: which aspects we needed to regulate, which authorisations we might need, and carrying out a simple but thorough due diligence, all while making the deal profitable and attractive for both parties.  

It was a very exciting time, involving a lot of teamwork and a lot of learning, but with a very gratifying result since one we finished drafting the final contract and it came into force, we were able to standardise a model and replicate and acquire many other sale points in a swift manner. 

Can you foresee any key developments to the way general counsel work over the next five years?   

I think the role of the in-house counsel has grown substantially in the last few years worldwide, and Uruguay is no exception. The main challenge for General Counsels is to have a thorough knowledge of the business and common sense and a capacity to understand and point out the main legal risks with the flexibility to promote trade and commercial growth; this means getting involved with all areas of the Company, understanding times and weighing in priorities. It is a great and exciting challenge, good times to come! 

What are some of the main trends impacting the industry sector you work in in Uruguay?   

Clean energy, without a doubt. It is something in which Linde has solid experience in other parts of the world, and the company in Uruguay needs to be a key player in new projects in the country.