What are the key projects that you have been involved in over the past twelve months?

Over the past twelve months, I have been involved in several key projects. The first was the implementation of a new business model for Xiaomi Latam, known as ‘New Retail’, which involves the brand’s presence in countries across the region through company-owned stores, expanding beyond B2B to also cover the B2C segment. In the case of Peru, we opened the first Xiaomi store in Latin America, which achieved a record of more than 4,800 visitors and sales during its opening weekend, offering an immersive experience of Xiaomi’s ecosystem of technology products.

A second key project was the expansion of Xiaomi across Peru through a direct presence, covering the country’s main cities and shopping centres.

Finally, I led the legal analysis and implementation of the full support framework required to bring new products to market which, due to their confidential nature, cannot be disclosed, but which will have a significant impact on the brand’s ecosystem.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

A modern in-house counsel must have a deep understanding of the business and its broader context. The role goes beyond technical legal expertise and requires acting as a strategic partner, bringing seniority and sound judgement when needed, and translating legal analysis into clear, practical guidance that supports informed decision-making and the company’s strategic objectives.

Equally important are adaptability, pragmatism and strong communication skills. The ability to take informed and measured risks, leverage technology as an enabling tool, prioritise matters effectively, and explain complex legal issues in a clear and accessible manner — while maintaining integrity and independence of judgement — is essential to safeguarding the organisation’s long-term interests.

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into legal teams, how can general counsel ensure the successful incorporation of these tools without compromising the human element?

AI is not a person; it is a work tool, and that is precisely where the key lies. I still hear many lawyers pushing back against AI, often saying things such as ‘I don’t understand AI’ or ‘it doesn’t really work for me’. In my view, this happens because they approach it as if it were a person. And that is the point: it is not a person; it is a tool.

As such, it has come to support us and ease our workload, not to replace us. AI has no motivation, consciousness, intuition or emotions. It is a powerful data-processing tool that helps us work more efficiently. That is why we must give it clear and precise instructions, always understanding it for what it truly is: a highly useful work tool, but not an infallible one, and above all, not something that has come to replace human judgement or the role of the lawyer.