Speakers
Carolina León, partner, Pellerano & Herrera
Carolina León is a Partner at Pellerano & Herrera, one of the leading full-service law firms in the Dominican Republic, and one of the heads of the firm’s Business Legal Consulting practice. She is a leading Corporate and M&A adviser with more than 20 years of experience advising multinational corporations, private equity sponsors, strategic investors, and financial institutions on complex domestic and cross-border transactions.
Carolina is particularly recognized for leading high-value acquisitions, divestments, restructurings, and market-entry strategies in highly regulated and capital-intensive industries. Her practice focuses on foreign investment, corporate and regulatory law, corporate governance, and mergers and acquisitions, particularly within sectors such as energy and free zones.
She has successfully negotiated transactions between buyers and sellers and regularly advises clients on securing financing for complex deals. Carolina has also acted as local counsel in multi-jurisdictional syndicated financings and has advised on high-impact projects, including mining concessions, renewable energy developments, and large-scale infrastructure and telecommunications financings. Her role in major cross-border transactions underscores her reputation as a trusted adviser in highly regulated markets.
Yanira Becerra, partner, Santivañez Abogados
Yanira Becerra is a partner at Santiváñez Abogados, specialising in corporate law, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, contracts, and restructuring and insolvency. She has over 15 years of experience advising local and international clients on complex transactions and distressed asset matters, and is recognised by leading legal directories for her expertise in restructuring, M&A, and real estate.
Fernando Martinot, partner, Santivañez Abogados
Fernando Martinot is a partner at Santiváñez Abogados, specialising in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, financial restructuring, and bankruptcy. With over two decades of experience, he has advised on complex transactions, corporate reorganisations, and cross-border investments, and has served as a director across multiple industrial and financial companies. He is recognised in leading legal directories for his expertise in M&A and restructuring and is an active member of international legal associations.
Diana Gárate, chief legal and regulatory counsel, APM Terminals Callao
Diana is a summa cum laude lawyer from UPC and holds an LL.M. from Columbia University. With over 15 years of experience in infrastructure projects and public-private partnerships, she currently serves as Legal Manager of Regulation and Compliance at APM Terminals Callao. She is Peru’s delegate to the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR and a member of the Advisory Board of the Graduate School at the University of Lima. She has also been recognized by the GRI Institute as one of the top 50 women leaders in public infrastructure in the Andean region.
Juan Chacón, associate legal director, Xiaomi Peru
Juan is Associate Legal Director at Xiaomi Peru, where he leads the legal strategy for the retail business. He is a lawyer with more than 15 years of experience in highly regulated industries and previously served as Legal Manager at Valero Peru. He holds an MBA and a Master’s in Business Law from the University of Lima, and has completed executive studies at Harvard Law School. He is known for his strategic mindset and his ability to drive business value through legal leadership.
Jorge Tenorio, senior legal counsel, Ferreycorp S.A.A.
Jorge is a lawyer from the University of Lima, holds an International MBA, and is a certified Legal Project Practitioner. He currently serves as Senior Legal Counsel at Ferreycorp, where he leads strategic legal advisory, complex contracting, and M&A projects. With a strong background in corporate law, he stands out for driving legal innovation through Legal Design and agile methodologies.
Zelma Acosta-Rubio, Independent Director
Independent director and senior executive with international experience at the intersection of strategy, governance, and regulated industries, including leadership roles at Interbank and Intercorp Financial Services (NYSE: IFS). She was a member of Interbank’s Executive Committee for 19 years, participating in the principal leadership forum responsible for defining strategy, overseeing business performance, and addressing corporate-level risks at one of Peru’s leading financial institutions, while also leading, in her role as General Counsel, the legal, corporate affairs, and sustainability functions.
She began her career at Milbank (New York) and Clifford Chance (London, Lima, and São Paulo), advising on privatization processes and major infrastructure and energy projects in the region. She serves on boards and participates in director training programmes, contributing to the strengthening of institutions across Latin America. She has been recognised by Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 GC Powerlist among the leading General Counsel in Latin America.
Christiann Hudtwalcker, former general counsel, Telefónica del Perú S.A.A.
Christiann Hudtwalcker is a senior General Counsel & Corporate Affairs Executive with more than 25 years of experience leading legal, regulatory, public affairs and crisis management functions in complex, highly regulated industries.
He served as Vice President of Legal, Regulatory, Public Affairs and Corporate Communications at Telefónica del Perú S.A.A., one of the country’s largest corporate groups, where he also acted as Secretary of the Board of Telefónica del Perú, Telefónica Factoring and Fundación Telefónica, serving additionally as a Council Member.
Throughout his career, he has led major regulatory and public policy strategies, overseen high‑stakes crises, and advised CEOs and boards on governance, institutional positioning, transformation and risk. His work spans telecommunications, digital services, infrastructure and public‑private environments, with a strong focus on navigating complex regulatory frameworks and shaping long‑term strategic outcomes.
He holds a Law and Political Science degree from the Universidad de Lima and a Master’s in International Business Law from KU Leuven. He is also an arbitrator and a frequent speaker at regional forums on the evolving role of in‑house counsel, strategic legal leadership and corporate governance in Latin America.
Mario Flor López, partner, Flor Bustamante Pizarro & Hurtado
Mario Flor focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, project and corporate finance, and energy and natural resources. Mario has extensive experience advising on complex cross-border M&A and large-scale international transactions, particularly in regulated sectors such as electricity, mining, oil and gas, and telecommunications. He regularly represents international financial institutions, export credit agencies (ECAs), multilateral lenders, and commercial banks in high-value financings and PPP projects, often linked to strategic acquisitions and infrastructure investments. He is also an experienced mediator and arbitrator.
Roque Bernardo Bustamante Espinosa, partner, Flor Bustamante Pizarro & Hurtado
Roque Bustamante has extensive experience in the mining and oil and gas sectors, advising on complex transactions. He has played a key role in major project financings and high-profile corporate and M&A matters, including the landmark acquisition of SABMiller by AB InBev. His practice combines deep industry knowledge with a pragmatic approach to cross-border and domestic deals, supporting clients in navigating regulatory frameworks and achieving business objectives.
Dr Karina Aliz Lanfranco, chief legal & compliance officer, CBC, Peru
Karina Aliz Lanfranco is a senior legal executive with extensive international experience leading legal, compliance, and governance functions across Latin America, the United States, and Europe. As Chief Legal & Compliance Officer at CBC, she advises executive leadership and boards on complex regulatory, strategic, and cross-border matters.
She is recognised for building and scaling legal functions, navigating highly regulated environments, and leading cross-border M&A and corporate restructuring initiatives. Her work spans enterprise risk management, regulatory strategy, and high-stakes dispute and crisis management, positioning her as a trusted partner to senior leadership in driving sustainable business growth.
Karina has been consistently recognised by The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Peru and was named among the most influential female lawyers in Latin America.
Ana Ferrucci Greco, chief legal officer, Cosapi
Ana is a lawyer who graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. She holds a managerial training specialisation (PAD) from the University of Piura, as well as diplomas in Mergers and Acquisitions and Energy Law from UPC, and a specialisation in Concession Contracts and Public-Private Partnerships from ESAN.
She has a long and distinguished career of over 20 years in companies within our sector, with strong expertise in advising boards of directors and senior management, as well as in the design and implementation of compliance programmes.
Renato De Vettori, senior partner at Muñiz, head of the environmental practice, Estudio Muñiz
Attorney with experience in both the public and private sectors, specializing in environmental and natural resources law, as well as mining, oil and gas, and administrative law. Currently serves as Partner and Head of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Practice at Estudio Muñiz, advising on complex regulatory and environmental matters. Recognized for his leadership, strategic approach, and strong stakeholder management skills.
Solange Cuadros Ramírez, general manager, Peru LNG
Solange graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, with over ten years of experience in energy, corporate, administrative, and regulatory law. She currently serves as General Manager at PERU LNG, leading strategic, legal, and corporate operations. Recognized for her strong analytical approach and expertise in project development and regulatory matters. Proactive, results-oriented, and bilingual.
Hernán Velando, legal affairs manager, DP World
Lawyer graduated from the University of Lima and MBA candidate at the University of the Pacific, with over 10 years of professional experience. Currently serves as Legal Affairs Manager at DP World, leading legal and regulatory matters in the logistics sector. Certified Customs Agent by SUNAT’s Tax and Customs Institute, with strong expertise in customs and trade-related issues. Fluent in English, with a solid analytical and strategic profile.
Samir Ziane, chief legal officer, Minera Chinalco
Samir Ziane is a lawyer from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and has completed postgraduate studies in Mining Law at the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences. He has over 15 years of experience in multinational companies, leading and building legal teams at both local and regional levels, with a specialized focus on the mining, energy, and manufacturing sectors in Peru and Latin America. Throughout his career, he has provided strategic legal advice on major investment projects, playing an active role in coordination processes and engagement with government entities and regulatory bodies.
Margherita Birri, research editor, Legal 500
Margherita joined Legal 500 in April 2022, where she works as a Research Editor, contributing across a wide range of legal topics and jurisdictions. Her role focuses on researching, editing, and interviewing some of the most prominent in-house counsel globally, with a particular emphasis on Latin America. She regularly moderates international roundtables and panel discussions, and hosts global events tailored to the legal community, often in multiple languages.
Alongside her work at Legal 500, Margherita has extensive experience in international research and advocacy. She has worked as a consultant for the United Nations, in addition to her role at Stop Ecocide International, where she served as Executive Assistant to the Directors and Researcher. In these capacities, she contributed to high-level publications, supported global policy discussions, and was involved in major international events, including Climate Week NYC and COP. She has also collaborated with the NATO Defense College Foundation and Global Canopy, contributing to research on environmental, geopolitical, and corporate risks, including deforestation and associated human rights issues.
Margherita holds an MA with Distinction in Understanding and Securing Human Rights from the University of London, where her research focused on deforestation and human rights violations in Brazil. She also earned a First-Class BA in Human Studies and Foreign Languages from Roma Tre University, specialising in the repression of indigenous peoples in Guatemala.