Bio

Wander Andrés Pulinario Rojas is the legal manager of ARS Universal, part of Grupo

Universal, where he leads the company’s legal strategy, oversees regulatory compliance,

and manages risks across health, life, and pension insurance products. He provides legal

guidance to senior management and key business units, ensuring alignment with

applicable laws and industry best practices.

At a relatively young age, Wander is recognized as one of the most promising legal

professionals of his generation, with a growing impact in the corporate world. His professional trajectory includes roles at LH Abogados, Sinerlex Dominicana, and Grupo

Universal as Assistant Manager of Litigation and Monitoring, overseeing legal strategies in

pensions, insurance, civil liability, fiduciary trusts, and corporate transactions. He holds a

Law degree from UNPHU and is pursuing a Master’s in Administrative Law and Economic

Regulation at PUCMM, with specialized training in general insurance, competition law, and public policy.

Wander has actively engaged in leadership and advocacy, serving as president of the Law

Students Committee and participating in programs for public policy development in the

Dominican Republic. Fluent in Spanish, English, and French, he integrates international

perspectives into his legal practice. He has been recognized with fellowships and

distinctions, including the Caribbean Youth Fellowship Program and awards from the

Executive Branch and the United Nations.

Passionate about combining legal expertise, innovation, and social responsibility, he leads

ARS Universal’s legal team in implementing strategic initiatives that support the

company’s mission and contribute to the development of the Dominican Republic’s

insurance sector.

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

A recent matter we have been working on involves ARS Universal’s commercial operations with various Pension Fund Administrators (AFP), specifically regarding disability and survivor pensions. These products are defined by Law 87-01 and regulated through resolutions issued by the National Social Security Council (CNSS).

This year, the Constitutional Court issued ruling TC/0305/2025, which annuls, with erga omnes effect, the statute of limitations for acquiring these benefits and eliminates the The 65-year age limit established by the CNSS, making disability and survivor pensions lifelong.

This ruling has a significant impact on the social security system, as these products were not financially designed to be lifelong, but rather to be subsequently replaced by another benefit: the old-age pension, which has a different financing method and distinct eligibility requirements.

Our legal team has assumed an active role in the interpretation, analysis, and management of the regulatory, financial, and operational impacts arising from this decision. We advise on the adaptation of contracts and internal procedures, as well as coordinating with strategic partners and regulatory authorities, in order to mitigate risks and ensure continuity of service to our members.

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

Our legal team is composed of highly qualified professionals whose technical knowledge and experience enable us to accurately analyze legal and regulatory risks and propose strategic solutions.

We also promote a decision-making process that is coordinated with other areas of the company, including operations, compliance, finance, and risk management, to ensure that every measure implemented is comprehensive, aligned with corporate objectives, and consistent with best governance practices.

Thanks to this combination of talent, experience, and interdisciplinary collaboration, we are able to respond swiftly and efficiently to crisis situations, mitigating risks, ensuring operational continuity, protecting the interests of our members, suppliers, and strategic partners, and preserving the company’s reputation.

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?

At ARS Universal, our corporate policies stipulate that all contracting processes must be preceded by a confidentiality pre-agreement, thereby ensuring that any information potentially involved in negotiations, even if such negotiations do not reach completion, remains fully protected under the applicable legal framework.

Furthermore, all of our suppliers are required to comply with specific contractual clauses and ethical standards, formalized through our Code of Ethics, which constitutes an integral component of every contract executed by the Company.

In addition, the Company maintains strict adherence to standards applicable to powers of attorney and authorisations for the provision of information, thereby safeguarding the interests of our partners, suppliers, and clients. This compliance framework includes, among other measures, direct verification with our clients and validation of the authenticity of signatures and legalisations before the relevant governmental authorities, ensuring the full legal validity of operations and mitigating corporate risks.

Moreover, we maintain a robust Information Security Department. All electronic devices provided to our employees are equipped with advanced protection systems and multi-factor identity verification mechanisms. Access to multiple sensitive portals is strictly restricted, effectively mitigating any potential risks to the Company.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

I have had the privilege of serving as one of the youngest legal managers within the companies of the sector, a significant challenge in a career where experience is highly valued. My legal career has always been characterized by foresight and leadership: from my first year at university, I worked at one of the country’s most prestigious law firms specializing in criminal law and civil liability, where I had the opportunity to assist on high-profile cases, such as the ODEBRECHT case. During my academic career, I also served as President of the Law Students’ Committee, which allowed me to develop management, coordination, and representative skills at an early stage.

This experience enabled me to join Grupo Universal during my final year of studies, serving as Assistant Manager of Litigation Oversight, acting as the second-in-command for the litigation of all its subsidiaries. After two years in this role, due to my successful handling of litigation across the various subsidiaries, I was entrusted with the position of Legal Manager at ARS Universal and Seguros Universal, overseeing all products related to pensions, health insurance, life insurance, and personal insurance, encompassing regulatory and contractual management, as well as litigation oversight and internal control.

Given the current geopolitical shifts and growing uncertainties around international free trade, has you taking measures to address these challenges?

Geopolitical shifts and uncertainty surrounding international trade impact all companies, regardless of sector, particularly in the financial domain. In this context, ARS Universal has established a Risk Management Department responsible for assessing any situation that may pose a risk, ranging from natural events such as atmospheric phenomena to changes in monetary policy.

Our legal and compliance team conducts continuous monitoring of legislative, fiscal, and regulatory changes at both the national and international levels, evaluating how these may affect our products and operations. Additionally, to minimize exposure to external disruptions, we have implemented strategies for supplier diversification and operational alternatives, which ensure continuity of service even in the face of international contingencies affecting our value chain.

All affiliates, suppliers, and strategic partners are subject to rigorous verification processes to ensure that their operations are legitimate and comply with regulatory standards. Moreover, we maintain active communication channels with regulatory and supervisory authorities, ensuring timely reporting of any suspicious activities and full compliance with legal requirements.

AI has been taken seriously as a potentially revolutionary technologicalchange in the legal world for a number of years now. Has it had a meaningful impact in how your legal team works in this time?

At ARS Universal, we view artificial intelligence as an increasingly relevant support tool for legal management. While it does not replace the strategic judgment or specialized expertise of our legal team, we have begun to implement technological solutions that enhance processes such as document analysis, compliance verification, and risk control.

These tools enable us to review large volumes of information, identify patterns, and reduce the time spent on operational tasks, thereby freeing resources to focus on contingency prevention, the design of regulatory strategies, and the personalized handling of disputes that may arise.

We nonetheless maintain a prudent and responsible approach: we understand that artificial intelligence must serve as a complement to strengthen the work of the legal team, without compromising data confidentiality or the quality of legal judgment that only professional experience can provide.

At present, we are in the process of evaluating the implementation of a system that incorporates artificial intelligence for the monitoring of claims and litigation, directly integrated with the external law firms representing us. This initiative responds to the significant volume of cases we manage and aims to ensure more efficient, agile, and transparent control of each procedural stage, thereby strengthening traceability, risk management, and strategic decision-making.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about? Why is this?

I have always had a deep sensitivity toward matters of public interest. From my role as legal counsel in a large-scale company, one might assume that our focus is solely on business profitability; however, my perspective is different. I firmly believe that our business is built on people, and it is in them that I find my true motivation. This conviction drives me not only to perform with excellence but also to continuously acquire knowledge that can be applied for the benefit of society, fostering initiatives that promote trust, transparency, and social responsibility, while always seeking a balance between corporate interests and the well-being of the community.

In particular, social security is an area I consider essential for the dignity of our citizens and the development of the Dominican Republic. Being part of a sector that directly impacts people’s lives during their most vulnerable moments is, for me, a genuine passion. Since the age of 14, I have participated in national and international events aimed at developing public policies that improve our region. Having the opportunity to contribute from the private sector, and potentially from the public sector in the future, represents not only a professional commitment but a lifelong mission: to learn and apply knowledge in ways that generate a positive impact on society.

What factors influence your team’s decision to use external legal services versus handling matters in-house, and what criteria are used to evaluate their performance?

At ARS Universal, the decision to use external legal services rather than managing matters internally is based on a strategic assessment of various factors, including the complexity and specialisation of the matter, the operational workload of the internal team, the urgency of the case, and the need for specific technical or jurisdictional expertise that may not be available within the company.

When we choose to engage external law firms, we establish clear criteria for evaluating their performance, including: the technical quality of their advice, efficiency in managing deadlines, compliance with applicable regulations, ability to communicate effectively with our internal team, and responsible handling of confidential information.

This approach allows us to ensure that all legal matters are handled with the utmost professionalism, efficiency, and alignment with the company’s strategic objectives, while ensuring the protection of the interests of our clients, affiliates, and strategic partners.

Additionally, in certain cases, especially those disputed in administrative proceedings, our team provides direct and personalised assistance. This is because our staff knows each case in detail, from the moment it is filed to the presentation of the claim. Before initiating legal proceedings, we have deemed it appropriate for our own staff to manage the alternative resolution of the dispute, ensuring that any questions or concerns that may arise on the part of the claimant during the administrative procedure are properly addressed.

How does your team contribute to the overall business strategy of the company? Can you share an example of a recent legal-led initiative that had a significant impact?

At ARS Universal, our legal team plays a strategic and fundamental role in supporting and guiding the company’s overall business strategy. We view the legal function not merely as a compliance and risk mitigation area, but as a strategic partner that facilitates informed decision-making, ensures alignment with applicable regulations, and contributes to the company’s sustainable growth. We are currently working on the implementation of a comprehensive claims and litigation monitoring system, which will be integrated with our external law firms.

Given the increasing volume of cases, our team is leading the design and adoption of this platform, which will incorporate advanced workflow management and data analysis tools. This initiative is expected to enable greater efficiency, transparency, and risk control, while providing real-time information to support strategic decision-making. By anticipating potential legal contingencies and optimizing dispute resolution processes, we aim to strengthen operational resilience, protect the company’s reputation, and reinforce client trust, directly contributing to ARS Universal’s strategic objectives.

Additionally, the legal department represents the company before various industry associations and negotiation committees that work on defining the legal framework of our sector. Our team actively participates in the drafting, review, and coordination of all these proposals, ensuring they are aligned not only with current regulations but also with the strategic interests of both the company and the sector as a whole.

Furthermore, we participate in executive committees where key decisions are made, which allows us to maintain a proactive role in shaping corporate policies and strategies, providing legal insight, and ensuring that decisions are adopted safely and in compliance with the regulatory framework.

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?

Looking ahead, I believe that the legal landscape in the Dominican Republic will undergo significant changes that will require companies to be proactively and strategically prepared, particularly in the insurance sector, which is progressively transitioning into the digital space through Insurtech solutions.

Digitalisation of the sector brings complex new legal challenges. Firstly, the adoption of electronic forms and digital contracts raises questions regarding the exact moment obligations are incurred, the validity of electronic signatures, the formalisation of digital consents, and the need to comply with current contractual regulations. Secondly, digital platforms collect and process large volumes of personal and financial customer data. This poses challenges related to security, confidentiality, and compliance with data protection laws, as well as ensuring proper traceability of information and mitigating risks associated with potential data breaches.

Furthermore, digital transformation requires the modernisation of internal policies, compliance procedures, and internal control systems, ensuring that technological and legal risks are identified and managed proactively. Moreover, digitalisation also changes how disputes arise and are resolved. A proactive approach to alternative dispute resolution, mediation, and conciliation will be required, along with continuous monitoring of digital contracts and operations to protect both the company’s reputation and clients’ rights.

Lastly, the growth of insurtech will drive ongoing legal discussions regarding applicable regulations, including licensing, technological standards, and the responsibilities of digital service providers. Companies will need to actively participate in industry associations and negotiation committees to ensure that the legal framework evolves in line with innovation.

In this context, companies that successfully combine technological innovation, robust legal oversight, and strategic risk management will be better positioned to leverage the opportunities offered by digitalisation, enhance client experience, and ensure business sustainability over the next ten to ten years.