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

At FedEx, I have had the opportunity to participate in two major projects with high visibility within the company. The first was, following the global acquisition of TNT in 2016, the integration of both companies in Chile and Argentina. This was not just a legal integration, but a cultural one, which truly takes you out of the legal world and forces you to develop skills that go beyond strictly legal matters. Another major project I had the chance to be actively involved in was the launch of the new FedEx flight operating the Miami–Buenos Aires–Santiago–Quito–Miami route, which began service in September last year. Launching an operation of this nature involves considerable regulatory work to obtain simultaneously all required permits in three different countries (Argentina, Chile and Ecuador).

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

Periods of instability or crises need to be navigated with a positive attitude and the adaptability of a strong team player. Responsiveness and customer focus must be superior, and we have to exhibit solid legal and business judgment. To support the organisation’s resilience, we have become a trusted business partner for internal clients, even in matters beyond the legal world.

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

I worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile between 2008 and mid-2012, mostly on matters relating to Chile’s continental shelf, maritime and boundary disputes, as well as international litigation. Shortly after, I joined Chile’s Agency for the International Court of Justice and collaborated with the Agent of Chile in the proceedings instituted by Peru against Chile concerning the maritime boundary between the two States. It is a period I remember with great fondness, as I was exposed to outstanding mentors and developed a legal judgment and work style that have stayed with me to this day.

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? 

Although legal departments are heavily investing in AI tools, they must now demonstrate their real impact on efficiency and cost reduction. Our ability as in-house lawyers to craft effective prompts is becoming critical to the success of these tools. ESG priorities continue to gain relevance, and legal teams must advise on how to meet increasingly demanding standards. DEI is another area facing challenges that have led companies to reevaluate their policies, as well as their hiring and promotion practices, and legal teams must guide their companies through a more demanding and politicised environment.