Team size: 10

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

In my experience, managing legal challenges during periods of instability or crisis requires strong, effective communication within the legal team across Chile and the broader LATAM region. A profound understanding of the business is essential for the legal function to support the company’s strategic goals effectively. At Orica LATAM, I prioritise fostering a close, collaborative relationship between legal and the business units. This alignment enables us to deliver legal solutions that are not only compliant but also commercially sound and practical.

During crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, this partnership allows us to respond swiftly and with agility. The legal team becomes an enabler rather than a bottleneck, providing clear guidance and supporting decision-making that balances risk with opportunity. Ultimately, resilience is built on trust, transparency, and the capacity to adapt legal strategies proactively in dynamic environments.

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?

Successfully driving digital transformation within the legal department requires a balanced approach that integrates innovation with stringent compliance. We focus on adopting technology tools that enhance efficiency in contract management, compliance tracking, and internal workflows—while always ensuring alignment with Chile’s and LATAM’s data protection regulations.

Key to this process is engaging data privacy experts and continuously training the legal and wider business teams on data security best practices. Additionally, embedding privacy by design principles in all digital initiatives helps safeguard personal information from the outset. This proactive stance not only protects the company but also builds stakeholder confidence in our digital capabilities.

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

Absolutely. The COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war stand out as particularly challenging and unique experiences during my tenure as VP Legal at Orica LATAM. The pandemic forced us to be highly creative and responsive, working closely with the business and supply teams to overcome unprecedented operational disruptions while still achieving Orica’s goals.

Similarly, the imposition of trade sanctions on Russian products required the legal team to act proactively and innovatively—developing legal solutions almost daily to navigate the complex sanctions landscape. This period tested our agility and legal acumen, and I’m very proud of how our team rose to the challenge, ensuring that the business could continue to operate successfully amid evolving geopolitical risks.

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?

Today’s in-house lawyer must be much more than a legal expert—they need to be a genuine business partner. Deep business knowledge, coupled with the ability to collaborate effectively with commercial, supply chain, and operational teams, is critical.

In-house counsel should not only interpret the law but also guide decisions in a proactive, ethical manner that supports sustainable business growth. This strategic advisory role, built on trust and a strong ethical foundation, represents the true value of modern legal leadership. Embracing this mindset is essential for any in-house lawyer aiming to add significant impact within their organisation.