How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

The energy business occurs naturally in a scenario of a great complexity. Accordingly, my approach to manage the legal aspects is always driven by aspects such as risk assessment, clear communication and adaptability. Taking these key principals into consideration I do encourage and stimulate the team to have a proactive business positioning and look for new strategies, considering innovation and the digital world, in order to simplify and give more efficiency to the necessary interfaces and controls, but without losing the balance between the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for the exercise of legal activity itself.

What are the major cases or transactions you have been involved in recently?

Recently, we conducted some financing and M&A transactions. I can highlight from a M&A perspective a Public Tender Offer of Neoenergia Cosern, and sales of Minority Stake and Energy of certain Wind Farms of Neoenergia group, which were based on a Self-Production structure. From a financing perspective, we issued debentures’ transactions for our transmission, distribution and generation businesses.

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practises into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practises within the company?

I can say that Neoenergia group, alongside its controlling shareholder Iberdrola, is a reference and precursor in regard of sustainability practises.

As a matter of fact, Neoenergia has established a governance and sustainability system that stands for our commitment to sustainability, ethics, and transparency. This system is built upon regulatory compliance, structural robustness, coordination, and clearly defined responsibilities across all levels of the group. The composition and structure of the group’s governing bodies are aligned with best practises in corporate governance. We have a sustainability committee that advises the board of directors on sustainable development initiatives.

As general counsel, I act to ensure that such sustainability commitments are duly reflected and observed in our contracts, policies and governance. This means that my role is to confirm that our legal framework, from one side, supports such sustainability goals and, from another side, protects long-term interests and reputation of our group.

What emerging technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future, and how do you stay updated on these developments?

I understand that the most useful and necessary technological tools for the development of legal activities are those that process and enhance efficiency, particularly in regard of legal research, contract review, document management and data analysis. Artificial Intelligence might be able to totally transform the way legal teams handle large volumes of information, reducing time spent on repetitive tasks and allowing them to be more focused on strategic aspects.

How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment?

Human capital is the most valuable and important resource, so investing in motivation through development opportunities is fundamental. I seek to do this, considering the diversity and the various skills that each person carries with them. Bearing it in mind, I seek to foster a work environment with fluid and consistent communication, support and encouragement for good practises, cooperation, and integration, including with other areas, and care for health and well-being. Furthermore, to keep the team engaged, we have been conducting lecture cycles, given by the team itself, on current and relevant topics on which they are working on and also related to innovation, health and well-being.

In your opinion, what are the main trends that are salient in your country currently?

The main trends may be related to the use of artificial intelligence and the Internet of things, as well as digital businesses. But I would also highlight that in the near future sustainable actions aimed at recycling and reusing products may gain even more strength.