Team Size: 30

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

In accordance with the substantive role of the institution, we maintain a primary focus on compliance with applicable legislation, constantly evaluating best practices and procedural updates under a risk assessment programme that allows us to take a comprehensive approach geared towards adequate risk management. Our goal is to develop, transform, and implement improvements in preventive and corrective measures aimed at detecting, reducing, and legally addressing cases of fraud, evasion, and avoidance in the Dominican social security system, as well as to take the appropriate legal action against those involved in order to recover financial resources and ensure the financial stability of the system.

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

The ideal approach is to begin by identifying the external or internal situation and the potential risks and consequences to which the organisation is exposed. This will enable us to create an appropriate approach and contingency plan.

We should also review our commitments to stakeholders and regulatory bodies in order to inform them and negotiate any necessary changes in terms of timing, costs, compliance, etc. All of the above should be done while maintaining internal communication with the highest authority and/or the board of directors, safeguarding good corporate governance practices.

What strategies do you employ to ensure the successful digital transformation of a legal department while maintaining compliance with your country’s data protection laws?

Given the nature of my duties in the public sector, the implementation of digital systems or platforms to automate continuous/recurring tasks has contributed significantly to optimising and improving efficiency in terms of the services we provide to our users or customers, as well as in managing staff time, risk management, procedures and the timely delivery of statistics and results, among other things.

However, it is important to note that these steps require a thorough analysis of compliance with the regulatory framework, exploring options for selecting secure and reliable technological solutions with security and data protection certifications, providing continuous training to the team to promote a conscious and responsible attitude towards information privacy and security, having clear internal policies, and conducting regular audits and supervisory controls.

Looking forward, what trends do you foresee in the legal landscape in Dominican Republic over the next 5–10 years that companies should prepare for?

There are several internationally recognised trends that have been addressed by developed countries and that we in the Dominican Republic must necessarily embrace in the legal sphere. These are challenging but very important issues in a world where cybersecurity and openness to AI lead us to question security controls and information confidentiality, as well as the state’s guarantee of data protection control and the responsibility and adequate knowledge of the data owner.

Our country requires an updated data protection law that is in line with international standards, financial regulation on cryptocurrencies and the use of artificial intelligence, and the promotion and implementation of best practices to address environmental sustainability and social responsibility by the state and private companies. Issues such as solid and hazardous waste management, cleanliness and sustainability of the coastline must be considered, given the importance of the tourism sector to our income and budget.