Bolivia 2025
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Deputy legal manager – compliance coordinator | Grupo Minero Sinchi Wayra
Assistant general counsel | Phoenix Tower International
Legal affairs director | Cámara de Industria, Comercio, Servicios y Turismo
Head of the legal counsel unit | Universidad Catolica Boliviana - Sede Santa Cruz
General counsel – associate legal & tax | Ruizmier Group
Legal manager Mexico+ cluster | Japan Tobacco International ( JTI)
Manager of legal affairs for the Eastern region | Banco Nacional de Bolivia
General counsel | Importadora y Exportadora Monterrey
National legal manager | Embotelladoras Bolivianas Unidas (EMBOL)
Gerente de asuntos legales | Cámara de Industria, Comercio y Servicios de Cochabamba - ICAM
Legal and compliance manager | Pan American Silver Bolivia
Corporate lawyer | CAMSA INDUSTRIA Y COMERCIO
Executive director of the conciliation and arbitration centre | Cámara de Industria, Comercio y Servicios de Cochabamba-ICAM
Corporate affairs vice president | Nuevatel - VIVA
General counsel officer and LATAM counsel | EY
Legal manager -Argentina & Bolivia | Phoenix Tower International
Coordinator of legal affairs and labour relations | Nestlé Bolivia
Corporate affairs and compliance director | Telecel S.A. (Tigo)
National deputy general counsel for corporate and operational affairs | Banco Unión
Gerente nacional legal | Sociedad Boliviana de cemento SOBOCE
Gerente legal y legal compliance manager | Grupo Linde (Praxair)
Legal affairs director | Compañía industrial comercial hermanos Vicente
Head of corporate affairs and internationalisation | Grupo Mamut
Institutional affairs manager | Fexpocruz
Gerente nacional del area legal | Inmobiliaria Kantutani
Legal counsel | La Boliviana Ciacruz de seguros y reaseguros
Head of legal | Compañía de alimentos
Corporate national manager | Alianza Compañía de Seguros y Reaseguros
National legal counsel | Importadora y Exportadora Monterrey
Legal counsel | Sociedad Controladora Mercantil Santa Cruz
It is a true privilege to have worked on and now present The Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Bolivia, 2025: a reflection on the unique realities of a jurisdiction where political volatility, economic uncertainty, and regulatory shifts are part of the day-to-day context for in-house counsel. This research highlights how Bolivia’s legal leaders are not only navigating instability but also transforming it into an opportunity to build resilience and sustainable growth.
A recurring theme across our conversations with the leading in-house lawyers in the country was the urgent need for adaptability in a business environment marked by currency shortages, shifting political priorities, and regulatory uncertainty. “Currently, my country is experiencing a severe currency crisis, which also affects other sectors. As the legal function, I consider it essential to take an active role in company operations, not merely as a filter for risks”, explained Jhessmy Camacho, general counsel at Importadora y Exportadora Monterrey. Camacho’s reflection illustrates how in-house counsel in Bolivia are taking ownership of crisis management and ensuring operational continuity while protecting corporate assets and credibility in the market.
Other in-house legal leaders emphasised that proactive and preventive approaches are critical. As Claudia García Paz, legal and executive director at Grupo Empresarial Nieme Inversiones, described it: “During periods of instability or crisis, our main focus is on building a strong foundation of anticipation and adaptability. We continuously update and strengthen our legal risk matrices to ensure they remain flexible and responsive to changing economic, political and regulatory conditions”.
Beyond crisis response, general counsel in Bolivia are also embedding sustainability into the heart of their corporate strategies. Ariane Milenka Augsten Roldan, in-house counsel at Itacamba Cemento, observed: “We leave a positive legacy in our environment by controlling and mitigating our impact, caring for biodiversity, and working on innovative solutions in our country”.
At the same time, the human dimension of leadership, a growing trend across Latin American legal teams, is not being overlooked by Bolivian in-house professionals. David Chavez Gonzales, legal counsel at Clínica Metropolitana de las Américas, shared how inclusivity and resilience go hand in hand: “Our legal team prioritises inclusivity, including gender equity, and highly values a proactive attitude when selecting staff… This collaborative approach fosters a continuous learning environment, reinforcing the team’s commitment to holistic development and diversity.”
Looking ahead, Bolivia’s legal leaders were candid about the challenges still to come. Many cited political transitions, gaps in data protection and cybersecurity law, and the pressures of adapting to ESG and digital transformation. As Marcelo Hassenteufel Loayza, corporate affairs VP at Nuevatel – VIVA, warned: “The major legal challenges for businesses in Bolivia over the next five years are concentrated in three areas: political constitution and regulations, judicial and bureaucratic systems, and investment security.”
Taken together, these testimonies showcase a Bolivian in-house counsel landscape in which corporate lawyers are operating at the crossroads of law, business, and society. They are not only interpreters of regulation but also strategic partners, risk managers, and innovators ensuring that companies remain competitive and compliant while contributing to sustainable development.
On behalf of The Legal 500, I would like to congratulate all the exceptional professionals featured in this 2025 edition of the GC Powerlist: Bolivia. Their voices reflect the legal challenges of today’s Bolivia and offer a clear vision for how in-house legal leadership can shape resilience, governance, and responsible growth in the years ahead.
Carmen Godoy Martin, Lead Researcher: GC Powerlist Bolivia 2025
Legal 500’s GC Summit Netherlands brought together leading in-house counsel and legal experts at The Renaissance in Amsterdam for a half-day of focused discussions and networking. The programme provided practical insights into how legal teams are adapting their roles amid growing geopolitical, technological, and regulatory pressures.
The event opened with a presentation by Mariken van Loopik, partner at Linklaters, who examined how geopolitical developments are reshaping expectations of legal advisers. The session highlighted the increasing need for both in-house and external counsel to adopt a more strategic approach, integrating compliance, risk management, and commercial awareness into their work.
The next session turned to the growing use of artificial intelligence in legal practice. Moderated by Allan Cohen, senior research editor at Legal 500, the panel featured Anastasia Scrève of LEGALFLY, Mateusz Wrzesinski of Barilla, and Gitte Groenewold-Wong of Prosus. The discussion focused on practical steps for using AI tools responsibly, with speakers addressing issues such as data protection, accountability, and day-to-day governance. Panellists shared approaches that help legal teams use technology effectively without compromising professional standards.
After a networking break, the summit moved to sustainability and reporting obligations in the session on legal pitfalls and climate reporting in 2025. Moderated by Daniella Strik, partner at Linklaters, the panel brought together Marco Frikkee of KPMG, Suzanne Debrichy of PostNL, and Anne-Lize van Dusseldorp of Aalberts N.V. The speakers discussed the legal risks associated with forward-looking climate statements, the challenges of preparing 2025 annual reports, and the practical decisions general counsel must navigate as climate-related disclosures expand.
The programme continued with a session on the evolving role of the general counsel, considering how senior in-house lawyers balance legal risk with wider organisational priorities. Speakers shared examples of how GCs contribute to business strategy, embed legal thinking into operational decisions, and support their organisations in fast-moving environments.
The summit concluded with a discussion on regulatory developments in the financial sector. Moderated by Allan Cohen, the session featured insights from Fleur de Roos of Fourthline and Mischa Menheere of Investancia Group. Panellists considered shifting supervisory expectations, cross-border complications, and emerging areas of regulatory focus, offering practical guidance for legal teams working in financial and corporate contexts.
We extend our sincere thanks to our headline sponsor, Linklaters, and to LEGALFLY for their support. We look forward to welcoming attendees again at the next edition of the GC Summit Netherlands.
