Associate Corporate Counsel | Google
Daniela García
Associate Corporate Counsel | Google
What excites you most about the future of the in-house legal profession, and where do you hope to continue developing your career?
What excites me most about the future of the in-house legal profession is its evolution from a traditional risk-check function into a creative, proactive business point of contact. Working alongside tech product teams and commercial leaders means translating ambiguous, fast-moving realities into forward-thinking strategies. Being an in-house lawyer is truly special because it demands intellectual curiosity and rapid adaptation. The modern legal team serves as the connective tissue across the entire organisation. Looking forward, I want to focus my growth on strategic counselling while navigating scalability and thinking of lean, high-velocity legal workflows that empower seamless business scaling. Ultimately, I want my career defined by unlocking possibilities.
What skills or experiences have been most important in your development as an in-house lawyer so far?
During these years, the most critical phase of my development as an in-house lawyer has been learning to pivot from a traditional, risk-averse mindset to becoming an agile commercial partner. The experiences that truly shaped me occurred at the intersection of business strategy, cross-functional collaboration, and practical problem-solving. The steepest and most rewarding learning curve in-house was understanding that the correct legal answer is meaningless if it stalls business. Building trust with non-legal stakeholders across sales, marketing, and product taught me to speak the business’s language, positioning legal as a trusted collaborator rather than a late-stage gatekeeper. These experiences have transformed me into a business-first legal counsel who combines legal expertise with commercial judgement to drive velocity.
experiences have been most important in your development as an in-house lawyer so far?
The most significant experiences in my development have been those that provided high visibility and direct exposure to executive leadership. I have learned that while performing high-quality legal work is fundamental, the ability to communicate that work effectively and project its impact to key decision-makers is what truly accelerates professional growth. Developing executive communication skills has allowed me to ensure that legal advice is not only heard but is integrated into the strategic direction of the business. By effectively conveying complex legal risks in a clear, business-oriented manner to leadership, I built strong cross-functional trust and positioned myself as a strategic partner rather than just a legal reviewer.
Have you been involved in any initiatives to improve legal processes, introduce new ways of working or make the legal function more efficient?
I am a firm believer that integrating Artificial Intelligence into our daily workflows is no longer optional—it is absolutely imperative. Today, legal departments are undergoing a rapid evolution, and those who fail to adopt AI will inevitably find themselves lagging behind. Throughout my role, I have actively championed the use of AI to streamline our legal processes, automate routine document reviews, and drive operational efficiency. This shift has enabled us to transition into more technical, data-driven legal partners, freeing up valuable time to focus on high-impact strategic advisory work rather than repetitive administrative tasks.
Who or what has most influenced your professional development, and how do you continue to build your skills and knowledge?
The arrival of Artificial Intelligence and its deep integration across diverse product portfolios has been the single most influential driver of my professional development. Over the past year, navigating the unprecedented wave of global AI regulations has been both challenging and exhilarating, particularly in Mexico where AI is not yet fully regulated. This regulatory ambiguity presents a unique, spearheading opportunity. Being at the forefront of these cutting-edge projects has pushed me to continuously expand my expertise in intellectual property and tech policy, allowing me to help shape compliance frameworks in real time. I continue to build my skills by pursuing professional certifications, such as the Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP), to stay ahead of the curve.
What excites me most about the future of the in-house legal profession, and where do I hope to continue developing my career?
What excites me most is the transformation of the in-house legal role from a traditional, siloed advisory function into a highly dynamic, hybrid role. The era of the reactive lawyer—who charges by the hour, wears a formal suit, and only steps in to solve a problem from a narrow legal lens—is giving way to a modern, integrated partner. Today’s in-house counsel must possess a blend of technical acumen, commercial strategy, and a deep understanding of legal operations (Legal Ops). I am excited to continue developing my career at this intersection, leveraging legal technology and operational frameworks to proactively drive business velocity and deliver agile, practical solutions.
Associate corporate counsel | Google