Country: Panama

Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved the way your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?

It was strategic to determine the size of the distribution scheme; therefore, I have e enacted a Distribution Channels Mapping, not only to know which distribution contracts we have in place, but also to determine which of those contracts are valid and compliant with the company’s contract policy and standard contract dispositions. After doing so, an action plan needed to be implemented to regularise the contracts according to the company’s guidelines and the new demands of the market. We needed to take into account the complex distribution laws that are still valid in Central America and in some countries in The Caribbean (such as the Law 173 in Dominican Republic), always keeping in mind the best interest of the company, when drafting the clauses of the contracts and addendums when appropriate.

What are some of the key developments (legal, geopolitical or otherwise) that have affected your business over the last year?

Last year was a very challenging year considering the new prices restriction laws in several countries, and also in some cases raw materials shortages, counterfeit actions and parallel imports.

How do you think the in-house legal role will evolve in the coming years?

The internal legal role will likely evolve to become a strategic busines partnership with the business, helping the companies to take thoughtful risks in an ever-changing market, adapting the company to the new market and legal realities arising from topics such as climate change, society changes, business operating income and profit, and focused optimised footprints, among others. The in-house lawyer will have to be able to get in the shareholders’ shoes, and strive for legal and safe ways to do business, while at the same time, thinking on the company’s goals and profitability, when proposing solutions or mitigating measures to face complex situations.

Do you use any legal technology products and, if so, for what areas of your work do you find them most useful?

I have used contracts drafting systems, invoicing and legal budget control systems, legal research (laws and jurisprudence), case and disputes management systems and also contract process (workflow) systems. The one I find most useful is the contracts workflow system, since it helps stakeholders and legal departments to keep track of the interactions and different versions of contracts since they are requested by the stakeholders, received and processed (drafted or reviewed) by the legal department, signed by the parties, scanned after being signed and finally filed.