Central America 2026
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Senior Director, Legal and Regulatory | Cable & Wireless Panama
Legal and government affairs manager Central America and Dominican Republic | AVON
Senior Legal Director Central American Markets | Colgate-Palmolive
Legal Lead for NA Media and Digital Portfolios and Guatemala Team Lead | Capgemini
Legal Director for Mexico and CASA (Central and South America) | Elanco
General Counsel | INCAE Business School
Legal, Compliand and Risk Director | Securitas Costa Rica
Managing Director, Deputy General Counsel          | New Fortress Energy
Legal and Compliance Officer | Nicaragua Energy Services
Legal Director & DPO for Central America & The Caribbean | ADIUM Central America & The Caribbean
Legal Regional Senior Manager Tax Controversy | Walmart de México y Centroamérica
General Counsel, Director | China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Americas Division and Consorcio Panama Cuarto Puente (CPCP)
General Counsel | Grupo Financiero G&T ContinentalÂ
Director of Legal, Ethics and Compliance | SUEZ International
Regional Legal Director TT and Compliance Officer, LATAM | Foundever
General Counsel and Corporate Governance Officer | Banco Promerica Guatemela
Senior Director, International Legal Affairs | SBA Communications Corporation
Vicepresident, Legal and Compliance | Banco Agromercantil Guatemala
Head of Legal and Compliance and Data Privacy Officer for Central America, the Caribbean, and Venezuela (CCAV) | Roche Pharma
Senior Legal Counsel (manager of Legal/Compliance Department and Tenders Department) | Boston Scientific
Vicepresident Legal | Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior
Legal Director, Corporate Secretary and Deputy CEO | Davibank (Costa Rica)
General counsel, senior vice president | Citibank, El Salvador
Legal Counsel / Legal Business Partner for Central America & The Caribbean | ADIUM Central America & The Caribbean
Latin America Area Business Counsel | 3M Transportation & Electronics Business Group
Legal and Regulatory Manager | MRO HOLDINGS
Regional Director of Legal Affairs | Torrecom Partners
Senior Legal Counsel for Central America, Caribbean and LATAM Development Markets | Procter & Gamble
Regional General Counsel Mexico and Central America | Enel Green Power
General Counsel or Chief Legal Officer | Grupo Salinas Guatemala
Legal, Corporate Affairs and Wholesale Business Director | Movistar El Salvador
Legal Director, Legal-regulatory control and corporate secretary | Banco Davivienda
Senior Legal Manager - Central America & The Caribbean (VeneCenCa) | Janssen-Cilag Farmacêutica
Central America, The Caribbean, Argentina, Uruguay Regional Legal Affairs Director | JCDecaux
Legal Director, Energy | CMI-Corporación Multi Inversiones
EVP Legal, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer & Corporate Secretary | Integra Capital Group
Central America is not standing still—and neither are its general counsel.Â
The GC Powerlist Central America 2026 recognises a group of in-house leaders operating at the sharp edge of transformation. Across the region, businesses are expanding, restructuring, digitising, and navigating increasingly complex regulatory and geopolitical environments. At the centre of it all sits Legal—not as a gatekeeper, but as a driver of progress.Â
What became clear throughout our research is that today’s standout GCs are deeply embedded in the business. They are helping to unlock growth, not just protect against risk. Whether advising on cross-border expansion, enabling new products, managing large-scale disputes, or shaping digital and AI strategies, they are influencing decisions at the highest level—and doing so with clarity, speed, and commercial awareness.Â
There is also a noticeable shift in mindset. Legal teams are building systems, not just solutions. They are investing in data, dashboards, and governance frameworks that allow organisations to move faster and with greater confidence. At the same time, they are fostering trust—translating complexity into action, and ensuring that innovation happens responsibly.Â
Perhaps most importantly, these lawyers understand their role as enablers. In a region where volatility is often part of the operating environment, they provide stability without slowing momentum. They work across functions, across borders, and often behind the scenes—making things happen without needing to be in the spotlight.Â
This year’s Powerlist is a reflection of that evolution. It celebrates lawyers who are not only keeping up with change, but actively shaping it.Â
Congratulations to all those featured.Â
Margherita Birri
Research Editor
The Legal 500Â
On July 1st, Legal 500 unveiled the fourth edition of the GC Powerlist: Portugal 2026, in partnership with PLMJ. Hosted once again on the rooftop terrace of the firm’s Lisbon office under a blazing summer sun, the event brought together many of Portugal’s most accomplished in-house lawyers to celebrate this distinguished community of legal leaders.
Returning to its individual-focused format, this year’s edition marked the reintroduction of the Rising Stars category, recognising some of the country’s most promising emerging in-house counsel. It also saw the world debut of the Transnational Leaders category, highlighting general counsel whose leadership and influence extend beyond national borders and whose responsibilities span multiple jurisdictions.
The evening commenced with a welcome address from Legal 500’s editorial lead Francisco Castro, who emphasised the importance of continuously evolving the publication to reflect the realities of Portugal’s in-house legal market. He highlighted the rigorous research and selection process behind the GC Powerlist series and congratulated the honourees for their outstanding contributions to the profession and the organisations they serve.
Following this introduction, Bruno Ferreira, Managing Partner of PLMJ, took to the stage to congratulate those recognised in this year’s edition. In his remarks, he underscored the increasingly strategic role of in-house counsel in supporting business growth, navigating complexity, and driving legal excellence. He also reflected on the transformative impact that AI is having on the legal function and the opportunities it presents for corporate legal teams.
Concluding the formal proceedings, Alexandra Reis, Senior Counsel at Tabaqueira and a recipient in the inaugural Transnational Leaders category, shared a few reflections on the significance of recognising in-house lawyers and the value of fostering a strong, connected legal community. Drawing on her own experiences, she spoke about the importance of networking, knowledge-sharing and celebrating a profession whose contributions often take place behind the scenes.
The launch of the GC Powerlist: Portugal 2026 proved to be a fitting celebration of the country’s leading in-house legal talent. The evening showcased the depth, expertise, and influence of Portugal’s corporate counsel community while reaffirming Legal 500’s commitment to recognising and championing its achievements. We extend our sincere thanks to all those who participated in this year’s research process, and to PLMJ for once again partnering with Legal 500 to provide a platform that honours these exceptional legal professionals.
