Team size: 20+

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience? 

During periods of instability or crises, my approach to managing legal aspects centers on proactive risk assessment and clear, consistent communication. We prioritise identifying potential legal and compliance challenges that may arise from the situation and developing mitigation strategies in advance. This involves close collaboration with other departments, such as finance, operations, and human resources, to understand the potential impact on the business. Our legal strategy is intentionally aligned with the broader business strategy to ensure resilience by focusing on safeguarding the company’s assets, maintaining operational continuity, and adapting to evolving legal and regulatory landscapes. This alignment involves anticipating potential shifts in laws and regulations, ensuring contractual obligations are met or renegotiated as necessary, and providing timely legal guidance to support strategic decision-making. We also emphasise clear and transparent communication internally and externally to manage expectations and maintain trust with stakeholders. 

What are the major cases or transactions you have been involved in recently? 

Regarding the major cases or transactions that I have been involved in recently, notable examples include the successful negotiation and closing of an agreement for a new solar energy plant in Brazil. This project was strategically important for our sustainability goals in the region. 

Additionally, I have overseen the execution of comprehensive internal compliance audits across all our sites in Latin America, ensuring adherence to both local regulations and Panasonic’s global standards. 

Finally, a significant undertaking has been the initiative to build a high-performing audit and compliance team from the ground up. This involved defining the team’s structure, recruiting specialised talent, and establishing robust internal processes to enhance our risk management and compliance capabilities throughout the Latin American operations. 

In your opinion, what are the main trends that are salient in your country currently (these can be legal, political, economic or business-based)? 

Currently in Brazil, several key trends are prominent. From a legal perspective, there is an increasing focus on data privacy and security, driven by the implementation and enforcement of the LGPD (Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados). Companies are investing significantly in compliance programs to adhere to these regulations. Politically, the ongoing discussions around tax reform continue to create uncertainty and require careful monitoring and adaptation by businesses. Economically, due to global tariff wars, we are observing fluctuations in the exchange rate and interest rates, which impact international trade and investment. From a business standpoint, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices, with increasing pressure from stakeholders for companies to adopt more responsible and transparent operations. These trends collectively shape the legal and business landscape in Brazil and require a proactive and informed approach from in-house legal teams.