Career biography

 I am a lawyer with a degree from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in Santo Domingo, complemented by a master’s in Business Administration from Aden University in Miami and a specialisation in Legal Business Consulting from Spain. My career began in the legal sector, where I developed expertise in civil, corporate, and real estate law.

Over the past 15 years, I have held strategic leadership roles at Grupo Ramos, currently serving as head of the legal and asset protection department. In this capacity, I lead three multidisciplinary teams, driving initiatives that integrate legal compliance, loss prevention, and asset protection across the organisation.

My professional journey reflects a unique blend of deep legal knowledge and a broad business perspective. I am recognised for my ethical leadership, results-oriented mindset, and ability to manage complex, cross-functional teams in fast-paced environments. My commitment to continuous improvement and sustainability has been instrumental in implementing innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and reinforce a strong organisational culture.

What are the most significant cases, projects and/or transactions that you and/or your legal team have recently been involved in? 

Grupo Ramos is the leading retail company in the Dominican Republic, currently operating 80 stores across a diverse portfolio of formats, including hypermarkets, supermarkets, and discount stores. We proudly manage 11 private-label brands and employ nearly 10,000 team members nationwide.

Our legal department plays a critical role in supporting the entire organisation, offering comprehensive legal services across all business units. The team is structured into multiple specialised areas, each focused on delivering expert guidance in complex and technical matters, ensuring compliance, risk mitigation, and strategic alignment with the company’s growth objectives.

At present, the company is undergoing an ambitious expansion plan, aiming to open 200 additional stores by 2030. This growth trajectory has prompted a complete transformation of our legal strategy, requiring the development of innovative real estate acquisition models and agile legal frameworks that align with national regulations. This evolution has presented significant challenges for the Legal team, while also fostering strong cross-functional collaboration across multiple departments – driving synergy, efficiency, and shared success.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience?  

Transparent and timely communication is essential during times of uncertainty. The more informed and aligned our teams are, the less anxiety and confusion will permeate the workplace. Proactive updates help maintain a stable and focused work environment.

Furthermore, effective management involves anticipating and mapping out potential risks to ensure business continuity. Having a well-defined risk matrix allows us to mitigate the impact of crises and make informed, strategic decisions, even when facing unprecedented challenges.

Moreover, in moments of crisis, speed and precision are critical. It is vital to immediately involve the right stakeholders in the decision-making process to avoid delays and prevent the escalation of issues. Agile collaboration ensures swift resolution and minimises disruption.

Based on your experiences in the past year, are there any trends in the legal or business world that you are keeping an eye on that you think other in-house lawyers should be mindful of?  

The internal adoption of artificial intelligence within companies presents a significant challenge, particularly in managing compliance risks and safeguarding confidential information. Ensuring responsible use and robust governance frameworks is essential to mitigate potential misuse and protect organisational integrity.

Additionally, this year has marked the enactment of major updates to two key legal frameworks in the Dominican Republic: the Labor Code and the Penal Code. These reforms require all internal and external teams to undergo comprehensive training to ensure proper understanding and application. It is our responsibility to not only educate our workforce but also to ensure that our external partners are aligned, thereby guaranteeing full compliance and effective implementation of these critical laws across the Dominican business sector.