Team size:   Six

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

Our legal team is currently engaged in a highly demanding and pioneering undertaking: the development and construction of the Aconcagua Project, the first multi-purpose desalination plant in central Chile. This landmark initiative has been officially designated as a climate change adaptation project, given its critical role in reducing reliance on continental freshwater sources by providing secure and sustainable access to desalinated water for a diverse array of user, including industrial clients and rural sanitary services, in the Valparaíso and Metropolitan regions.

The project presents a unique set of legal and operational complexities, requiring the coordination and integration of multiple legal disciplines. These include regulatory compliance across environmental and water-use frameworks, the structuring and negotiation of long-term commercial and offtake agreements, sophisticated contractual arrangements with EPC contractors and service providers, and the incorporation of sustainability principles consistent with international green finance standards. Furthermore, the financing structure involved a USD$ 840 m. term loan and a USD$ 43 m. facility, arranged through a syndicate of global financial institutions. This multilayered transaction required meticulous attention to cross-border financing regulations, lender risk allocation, and the alignment of contractual obligations with the project’s long-term sustainability goals.

The Aconcagua Project not only exemplifies the intersection of legal innovation, infrastructure development, and climate resilience, but also highlights the strategic role of legal counsel in navigating the complexities of high-stakes, multi-jurisdictional infrastructure projects.

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

In a project of the scale and complexity of the one currently being developed by Aguas Pacífico, reliance is not just a guiding principle: it becomes the foundation upon which all teams, and particularly the legal team, must operate. The unprecedented nature of the Aconcagua Project, being the first multi-purpose desalination initiative in central Chile, means we are often working in uncharted legal and regulatory territory. This inevitably brings numerous complexities, evolving scenarios, and unforeseen challenges that demand not only technical expertise but also adaptability and resilience.

From a managerial perspective, one of the most critical attributes is the ability to remain calm under pressure and maintain a broad perspective, especially when confronted with the inevitable frustrations and setbacks that arise in a project of this magnitude. Creating space to step back, process challenges with composure, and allow tensions to settle before making key decisions has proven to be essential. In my experience, fostering a work environment where a positive attitude, mutual respect, and even a sense of humor are consistently present makes a real difference, not only in maintaining team spirit, but also in building the trust and cohesion necessary to deliver on such an ambitious and high-stakes initiative.

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? 

To ensure the successful digital transformation of our legal department while maintaining strict compliance with our country’s data protection laws, we adopt a forward-thinking and collaborative strategy. Our legal team consistently strives to stay ahead of the curve by actively engaging in continuous learning, regularly enrolling in specialised courses, exploring emerging legal technologies, and staying informed on evolving global trends in legal innovation and digital governance.

One of the strengths of our team is its youth and dynamism. Many of our team members are digital natives who not only bring a fresh perspective but often serve as catalysts for innovation. In fact, they’re frequently the ones who keep me up to speed on the latest tools, platforms, and legal tech developments, fostering a culture where knowledge sharing and reverse mentoring are both encouraged and valued.

At the same time, we recognises that digital transformation in the legal function cannot come at the expense of regulatory compliance. We also work closely with IT and compliance teams to assess cybersecurity risks, manage data responsibly, and design internal protocols that uphold confidentiality, integrity, and ethical standards.

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

Yes, throughout my career as an in-house lawyer, some of the most unique and fulfilling experiences have come from actively participating in the strategic decision-making processes of the companies I have worked with. Unlike external counsel, in-house legal professionals have the privilege of being deeply embedded in the day-to-day operations of the business, which allows us to develop a broader, more nuanced understanding of the company’s goals, challenges, and internal dynamics. One of the aspects I value most is the opportunity to support upper management in making high-stakes, long-term decisions. Whether it’s assessing complex risks, structuring corporate partnerships, or navigating regulatory uncertainty, being part of the conversation at the strategic level has been incredibly rewarding. In many of these situations, legal advice goes beyond interpreting rules, it becomes a tool for enabling sound, forward-looking business decisions.

Over time, I have come to appreciate what I believe is a defining quality of effective in-house counsel: the ability to listen actively, synthesise diverse inputs, and “connect the dots” between legal, operational, and commercial factors. This holistic perspective is not easily gained from outside the organisation and is often what makes in-house legal teams’ indispensable partners in shaping a company’s direction.